One last point to consider is that each person s conditions are different and you may have to make minor adjustments to your setup.
Solar panel angles at polar regions.
This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere.
For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.
In the northern hemisphere the sun is due south at solar noon.
For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.
It only takes a few minutes.
If your latitude is above 50 see other situationsbelow.
A solar panel tilt of 19 degrees will work best in los angeles.
For example with this logic in the bay area near san francisco you would want to tilt solar panels at 22 or 23 degrees.
What s the best angle for solar panels.
The answers you end up with are the best angles for each particular season.
As you can see configuring the direction and angle for solar panels is not too complicated.
If your latitude is between 25 and 50 use the latitude times 0 76 plus 3 1 degrees.
At the polar regions where temperatures might dip more than 50 degrees below freezing but sunlight shines 24 hours per day for half the year solar technology could also be effective.
Here two simple methods for calculating approximate solar panel angle according to your latitude.
The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer.
The correct angle is found by using the homes latitude and correction for true azimuth true north as opposed to magnetic north.
Use one of these formulas to find the best angle from the horizontal at which the panel should be tilted.
Therefore to get the very best out of your photovoltaic panels you would typically face them due south at the optimum angle so that the panel is receiving as much sunlight as possible at this time.
While the angle of your solar panels is important a more important factor in your energy production is going to be the direction your panels face.
A fixed tilt panel is angled to receive the maximum benefit from the sunlight year round according to the department of energy.
True south or the geographic south will yield the best results overall.
If your latitude is below 25 use the latitude times 0 87.
Ideally you want your solar system to be on the area of your roof that faces south specifically southwest.
At 90 from true south therefore east and west production can drop to 30.
However if the panels are turned at an angle greater than 45 compared to true south production begins to decrease significantly.