There s a simple rule of thumb for calculating the best tilt angle for fixed mount solar panels.
Equation for fixed solar panel tilt agnle.
Most solar arrays are installed at a tilt.
Subtract 15 degrees from the latitude at your location during summer and add 15 degrees to your latitude during winter.
If your latitude is outside this range see other situationsbelow.
The tilt is 0 if solar panel parallel to horizon to design the tilt is 90 if the solar panel is vertical to design.
Finding the optimal tilt for your solar panels.
Pick one angle and leave it alone or adjust the tilt a few times per year to optimize seasonal production.
The best tilt angle for winter is the latitude times 0 875 plus 19 2 degrees.
The other half of the equation is finding the vertical angle or tilt of your solar panels.
Both of these angles require latitude degrees.
For a latitude up to 25 take your latitude and multiply it by 0 87 for a latitude between 25 to 50 take your latitude multiply by 0 87 after that you will add 3 1 degrees for a latitude over 50 the most ideal angle will end up being approximately 45 degrees.
The tilt is included angle of horizon and solar panel.
This is because it s based on the average position of the sun over your property.
The angle of your solar array is an important factor in maximizing your energy production.
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 decision of azimuth.
There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels.
Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15.
If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees.
Depending on your preference here s our advice.
The result for chicago is 90 42 23 25.
In this way at noon the panels will be perfectly perpendicular to the sun s rays.
Depending on where you live the best angle at which you should install solar panels will change.
For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.
To get maximum energy efficiency during the winter solstice the solar panels in chicago must face south and be tilted 65 90 25.
For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle.
The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19.
Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer.
Solar panel angle by zip code.
The more exact way to count out the best tilt angle is done as follows.