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.
Ideal solar panel tilt.
For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best.
An additional 3 5 though can be gained by evaluating this more carefully.
Changing the direction of your solar panels in california throughout the year.
The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer.
To further gain electricity production from solar panels.
Tilt the panels to your latitude plus 15.
The optimal tilt angle in each location is found by calculating panel output with diļ¬erent tilt angles until the tilt angle giving the maximum output is found.
In order to collect energy more efficiently solar panels should be angled to face as close to the sun as possible.
For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.
If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees.
Well now that we know that the optimal direction is south we need to find the optimal tilt angle.
These angles will give you the best overall output over the course of the year if you re going for a fixed installation.
That tilt angle is the optimal tilt angle.
Once again this is if you do not have any auto adjusting or pivoting solar panels which change their angle throughout the year or during the day.
Tilt the panels to your latitude minus 15.
Most solar arrays are installed at a tilt.
A solar panel tilt of 19 degrees will work best in los angeles.
In most countries an optimal tilt angle is estimated for only one location.
Tilt the panels to your latitude.
If you are able to adjust the angle of your solar panels a few times per year here is the adjustment schedule we recommend.
The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19.
The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust.
Calculating the ideal angle for your solar panels is not that difficult.
Tilt the panels to your latitude.
It just depends on where you live.
As a general rule of thumb keep in mind that the panels need to be more vertical during winter to face the lower sun directly and more tilted towards the ground during summer to face the higher sun.
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.