The orientation of the panels and the angle they are tilted will have a greater effect on annual energy production.
Good angle for morning solar panel.
If you are able to adjust the angle of your solar panels a few times per year here is the adjustment schedule we recommend.
However to get the best of both times you need a north or south.
Both of these angles require latitude degrees.
The best tilt angle for winter is the latitude times 0 875 plus 19 2 degrees.
Photovoltaics produce power when the angle at which the sun s rays hit the panel surface the angle of incidence is small or when light strikes the panel as close to perpendicular as possible.
Choosing the best angle and direction for your solar panels will optimize the amount of sunlight they receive and allow you to get the most out of your solar power system.
Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15.
Positive 90 degrees is facing due west negative 90 degrees is facing due east.
The compass angle shows 180 for south 90 for east and 270 for west.
However the panels can be installed anywhere between 10 to 35 deg with negligible efficiency loss.
If your latitude is outside this range see other situationsbelow.
There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels.
While it s true they should face south for the best results a west facing system would have produced 49 percent more electricity during the peak demand hours of the summer months than a south facing system.
In order to collect energy more efficiently solar panels should be angled to face as close to the sun as possible.
Tilt the panels to your latitude.
If panels were placed facing east or west they would generate a good amount of energy only during the morning or the evening.
Most australian homes have a roof pitch of 20 to 30 which is considered optimum for maximizing solar power generation.
In most of the solar pv energy calculator tools an azimuth value of zero is facing the equator in both northern and southern hemispheres.
Tilt the panels to your latitude minus 15.
Tilt the panels to your latitude plus 15.
At 90 from true south therefore east and west production can drop to 30.
Some who install them on their roofs are somewhat limited but if you have the luxury of choosing exactly how you want your system setup there are a few tricks you can use.
This table gives some examples.
Tilt the panels to your latitude.
Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer.
However if the panels are turned at an angle greater than 45 compared to true south production begins to decrease significantly.
