Optimal Degrees For Solar Panel

Latitude 2 5 degrees.

Optimal degrees for solar panel.

Once you have figured this out you can use one of the formulas below to calculate the best angle for your solar panels for each season. Most roofs have an inclination of 30 to 40 degrees. For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle. The result for chicago is 90 42 23 25.

It turns out that you can do better than this about 4 better. To generate the most electricity you would tilt the solar panel so that it s perpendicular to the light source. 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 summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19.

Tilt is the vertical angle where a 0 tilt means that the panel is laying flat and a 90 tilt means that it s vertical. In case the roof is very steep you may not be able to get the most optimal tilt angle for the panel especially if it is lower than the angle of the roof. To calculate the sun height at midday during the winter solstice instead of subtracting we must add 23. Latitude x 0 9 29 degrees.

Books and articles on solar energy often give the advice that the tilt should be equal to your latitude plus 15 degrees in winter or minus 15 degrees in summer. The subsequent mathematical operation remains unchanged. At this level the solar panel can lie flat on the roof and get enough sunlight to produce enough electricity. Latitude x 0 9 23 5 degrees.

For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. The answers you end up with are the best angles for each particular season. Many roofs are going to have slopes between 30 and 40 degrees which means that solar panels can lie flush against the roof and produce enough electricity for attractive returns. I know that middle school was a long time ago so i ll clarify that perpendicular means a 90 angle.

If you are trying to install solar panels on a steep roof it may not be possible to place panels at the optimal tilt with traditional racking systems.