What is the optimal tilt angle of photovoltaic solar panels?

The optimal tilt angle of photovoltaic solar panels is that the surface of the solar panel faces the Sun perpendicularly. However, the angle of incidence of solar radiation varies during the day and during different times of the year.

What is a solar panel angle?

The solar panel angle, also known as inclination, refers to the vertical tilt angle between the surface of the solar panel and the ground. As the sun movement varies both geographically and seasonally, you need to adjust solar panel angles specific to the latitude, season, and time of day to maximize the power output.

How to calculate solar panel orientation?

The orientation is composed of two parameters: direction and tilt angle. Select your timezone and enter your coordinates (latitude and longitude) to calculate the optimal orientation for fixed solar panels, twice adjusted solar panels, quarterly (seasonally) adjusted solar panels, and monthly adjusted solar panels.

What angle should solar panels be installed?

Ideally, the angle of your solar panels should be equal or close to the latitude of where they are installed. As you go further north or south, the angle of the sun in the sky decreases. To efficiently capture sunlight, solar panels need to be tilted a steeper angle.

Which factor determines the tilt angle of solar panels?

The second factor, the tilt angle, is decided by the elevation angle of the sun, i.e., at what altitude the sun is. If the sun is high in altitude, then the tilt angle would be small and solar panels would be more horizontal. For low altitudes, the tilt angle is large, and solar panels are vertical.

How to calculate solar panel angle based on latitude?

Here are 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.