Best Angle For Solar Panels In California

A general rule for optimal annual energy production is to set the solar panel tilt angle equal to the geographical latitude.

Best angle for solar panels in california.

For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. To lean toward more production in the winter tilt your panels at your latitude plus 10 15. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer. There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels.

To optimize overall production year round tilt your panels at your latitude. 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. The more exact way to count out the best tilt angle is done as follows. Latitude in san francisco.

Latitude in san jose. Latitude in san diego. Both of these angles require latitude degrees. Essentially the closer a solar panel is located to the equator the more the panel should be pointing straight up.

These angles will give you the best overall output over the course of the year if you re going for a fixed installation. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15. While the sun is in a higher position in the sky during the summer and lower position during the winter it has an average position right in between the two seasons. 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.

For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees. Therefore the best angle for your solar panels is the one that allows the panels to get the most direct perpendicular light. Calculating the best solar angle for california. Latitude in los angeles.