The optimum angle for solar panels changes throughout the year because of the sun's shifting position relative to your home. During summer, the sun is higher in the sky, so it's better to angle the panel slightly flatter for maximum daylight absorption. And a steeper angle is needed in winter, when the sun is lower in the sky.
The general guideline is to add 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtract 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. As already mentioned, while these seasonal adjustments can optimise energy production, we recommend setting your panels at a fixed angle year-round for ease and practicality.
In the case of most rooftop solar panel installations, the angle is determined by the roof – and fortunately, most roofs in the UK are angled at roughly 30 to 50 degrees. The results in the chart below are the averages of 26 systems in Yorkshire, each with a peak output rating of 4kWp (kilowatt-peak).
As a general rule, the optimal direction for solar panels in the northern hemisphere is south. And in the southern hemisphere, the direction is north. So, the optimal direction for solar panels in the entire United States is south. The optimal tilt angle for fixed solar panels, as per a rule of thumb, is equal to the latitude of your location.
If the sun is high in altitude, then the tilt angle would be small and solar panels would be more horizontal. For low altitudes, the tilt angle is large, and solar panels are vertical. The tilt angle for solar panels is dependent on the latitude of the sun. Fixed solar panels are a convenient and preferred choice.
The orientation is composed of two parameters: direction and tilt angle. Select your timezone and enter your coordinates (latitude and longitude) to calculate the optimal orientation for fixed solar panels, twice adjusted solar panels, quarterly (seasonally) adjusted solar panels, and monthly adjusted solar panels.