It's no secret that solar panels need sun exposure to produce electricity, but did you know that how they're angled can have a big impact on how much they generate?
Since the sun's position relative to Earth is always changing, determining your panels' best possible position can be challenging. That's why we created a solar panel angle calculator to help you determine the ideal angle for every season and month.
Granted, not all panels are mounted in a way that allows them to be adjusted on a monthly (or even seasonal) basis, so we also provide the best angle to keep your panels year-round if you won't be adjusting them. Take our calculator for a spin and determine your ideal panel setup.
Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator
Please use the dropdown menus below to select your home's location. We'll use your latitude to calculate your ideal solar panel angle for every month and season. If you don't see your city or town, choose the closest one listed.
Your Results
Since you live on the [Northern/Southern] Hemisphere, your panels should face true [South/Nourth].
YEAR-ROUND ANGLE
TILT ANGLE BY SEASON
Winter
0°
Spring and fall
0°
Summer
0°
TILT ANGLE BY MONTH
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January 0° |
February 0° |
March 0° |
April 0° |
May 0° |
June 0° |
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July 0° |
August 0° |
September 0° |
October 0° |
November 0° |
December 0° |
The above solar panel tilt angles are estimates.
What Is a Solar Panel Tilt Angle?
Solar panel tilt angle is the angle formed by your solar panels and the ground below them. A panel laying flat forms a 0° angle, whereas a panel placed upright forms a 90° angle. Your ideal angle will fall somewhere between these two numbers.
It's important to note that solar panel direction and angle are not the same thing. Direction is about rotating your panels so that they're pointing toward the equator, whereas angle is about tilting your panels up or down. That said, both the direction and angle need to be correct to ensure your panels are pointing as directly as possible toward the sun and operating at maximum efficiency.
How To Determine Optimal Angle for Solar Panels
Wondering how to manually calculate the optimal angle for your solar panels? There are some simple equations that provide accurate estimates. Since seasons differ by hemisphere, the equations for seasonal and monthly angles will look a bit different depending on whether you live in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere.
That said, regardless of hemisphere, you can calculate your ideal year-round solar panel angle by simply subtracting 2.5° from your location's latitude. You can find your city's latitude by simply typing your city or locale's name followed by "latitude" into your search engine. If you live in the U.S., you could also refer to our guide to solar panel angles by ZIP code.
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere encompasses the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, most of Asia and Africa, and some of South America.
If you plan to adjust the angle of your solar panels seasonally, here are the equations to use:
- Summer: Multiply your latitude by .9, and then subtract 23.5°.
- Winter: Multiply your latitude by .9, and then add 29°.
- Spring and fall: Set equal to your year-round solar panel angle (subtract 2.5° from your location's latitude).
If you plan to adjust their angle monthly, add 9° to your year-round angle each month between June and December, and subtract 9° from your year-round angle each month between December and June. Your angle should be at its highest in December and its lowest in June.
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere encompasses Australia, most of South America, some of Africa, and a tiny bit of Asia.
If you plan to adjust the angle of your solar panels seasonally, here are the equations to use:
- Summer: Multiply your latitude by .9, and then add 29°.
- Winter: Multiply your latitude by .9, and then subtract 23.5°.
- Spring and fall: Set equal to your year-round solar panel angle (subtract 2.5° from your location's latitude).
If you plan to adjust their angle monthly, subtract 9° from your year-round angle each month between June and December, and add 9° to your year-round angle each month between December and June. Your angle should be at its highest in June and its lowest in December.
With Solartap, you don't have to guess the best angle for your solar panels. Our expert installers will work closely with you to choose the best panel orientation for your individual situation.
Ready to get started? Get a quote with our solar calculator today!
