To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun.
Best inclination angle for solar panel seattle.
For a latitude over 50 the most ideal angle will end up being approximately 45 degrees.
If you are able to adjust the angle of your solar panels a few times per year here is the adjustment schedule we recommend.
Since solar panels are more productive when the sun s rays are perpendicular to their surfaces the certainly best orientation is the one directly true south azimuth angle 180.
The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun height on a month by month.
Subtract 15 degrees from the latitude at your location during summer and add 15 degrees to your latitude during winter.
Tilt the panels to your latitude.
The tilt is 0 if solar panel parallel to horizon to design the tilt is 90 if the solar panel is vertical to design.
The tilt is included angle of horizon and solar panel.
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.
Solar panels should always face true south in the northern hemisphere north in the southern hemisphere tilted from the hoizontal at a degree equal to your latitude plus 15 degrees in winter or minus 15 degrees in summer.
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.
An additional 3 5 though can be gained by evaluating this more carefully.
There s a simple rule of thumb for calculating the best tilt angle for fixed mount solar panels.
At this level the solar panel can lie flat on the roof and get enough sunlight to produce enough electricity.
The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust.
Tilt the panels to your latitude minus 15.
For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle.
If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees.
Tilt the panels to your latitude.
This solar angle calculator tells you the optimum angle to get the best out of your system.
Orientation of the panels.
For a latitude up to 25 take your latitude and multiply it by 0 87.
For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.
This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere.
If you are going to adjust the tilt of your solar panels twice a year and you want to get the most energy over the whole year then this section is for you.
For a latitude between 25 to 50 take your latitude multiply by 0 87 after that you will add 3 1 degrees.