It’s a well-known fact that the sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west. Yet, the actual path the sun takes across the sky during the day is a bit more intricate. Why should you care? If you’re looking to install solar panels, it’s crucial to grasp how the sun’s path varies based on your specific area.
The Earth naturally leans and follows a specific path around the sun, and while it might seem like the sun moves in a uniform way every day, the Earth’s position changes from one location to another.
Understanding how the sun moves can help you see why the way your solar panels are positioned and angled is so important. In this piece, we’ll cover what the orientation and angles of solar panels are, and how these factors affect their performance. This knowledge will prepare you to achieve the best results, ensuring your solar panels are operating at their highest efficiency.
Solar Panel Orientation
The direction a solar panel is positioned, either north, south, east, or west, is known as its orientation. In most cases, solar panels are set up to face the actual direction rather than align with the magnetic north or south poles. For instance, the true north point is aligned with the earth’s real axis, not with the geographic north pole.
Homes equipped with solar panels that are positioned directly east or west will generate approximately 20% less energy. The ideal orientation for solar panels in homes north of the equator is towards the south, while homes south of the equator should face the north. This setup ensures maximum exposure to sunlight, leading to the highest electricity production.
Solar Panel Angle
The angle of your solar panels refers to their vertical orientation. However, figuring out the ideal angle might be a bit complex because it changes depending on where you are and what time of year it is. When we talk about geography, the inclination of your panels will go up as you get farther away from the equator. To understand this better, think about it: in places like Texas and Florida, the sun appears to be higher up, so solar panels there can be set at a shallower angle.
On the other hand, in states like New York and Michigan, the sun is lower in the sky, which means solar panels in these areas will need to be angled more steeply.
Determining Optimum Solar Panel Angle by Zip Code
To determine the best tilt for your solar panels, conduct an internet search using the latitude of your residence or your postal code. Usually, a perfect tilt for your solar panels will be either the same or very near to the latitude of your residence. Nonetheless, the precise tilt of solar panels will change throughout the year.
During the hotter summer months, the recommended tilt for your solar panels will be 15 degrees subtracted from your latitude. Conversely, for the colder months, the best tilt for your solar panels will be 15 degrees added to your latitude.
Solar Panel Angle and the Impact of Seasons
The correct tilt of your solar panels isn’t only determined by where you live but also by the sun’s position relative to the seasons. In the summer, the sun appears higher in the sky, while in the winter, it seems lower. This suggests that adjusting the tilt of your panels to optimize their efficiency requires changing it seasonally.
Yet, the vast majority of residential solar panels are installed at a set angle, meaning altering their tilt to accommodate seasonal changes can be challenging. Solutions are available that can adjust your panels’ tilt as the sun moves, though these systems come with a hefty price tag. Although they do boost panel performance, the increased expense might not justify the initial investment, particularly when you consider the already high prices of solar panels.
Factors Affecting the Optimum Solar Panel Angle
Since solar panel angles are the vertical tilt of your solar system, various factors ensure you have the optimal angle for your solar panels.
Roof Tilt
Indeed, every roof is uniquely shaped, underscoring the need to evaluate your roof’s slope before setting up solar panels.
For example, mounting solar panels on a roof with a high slope might make it impossible to reach the perfect tilt with a standard racking setup. So, based on how slanted your roof is, your best bet might be to position the panels horizontally against the roof.
Putting solar panels on roofs with a low slope can present challenges too, as they might need custom racking to achieve the best tilt angle. If you decide to position the panels flush to the roof on a low slope, you might end up with lower energy output and lesser savings from solar power.
Latitude
To achieve outstanding savings on solar energy, it’s important to position your solar panels to make the most of the sun’s rays based on where you live. This involves setting your solar panels at an angle that matches the geographic latitude of your residence. For the majority of homeowners, the best angle for mounting solar panels is near or identical to their home’s latitude.
The typical range for this angle is between 30 and 45 degrees. By adjusting your solar panels in this way, you’ll ensure your property receives the highest possible average energy production from your solar system all year long.
Time of Year/Season
The season influences the performance of your solar panels because of the sun’s angle. For instance, in the winter of the northern hemisphere, the sun is closer to the ground. This makes it harder for your solar panels to gather enough sunlight for energy production.
Yet, mounting your panels at a steeper incline than your geographic location (about 60 degrees) can offset the decrease in energy production during winter. Additionally, it’s important to position your solar panels so that snow can be easily removed.
Which Is More Important: Angle or Orientation?
Because of all the nuances and various factors involved with determining the proper angle of your solar panels, you might think that it is the most important factor come installation. However, the opposite is true. When it comes to solar panels, determining the correct orientation is the most important variable.
Improper orientation will mean that your panels won’t get enough exposure time to the sun, reducing your electricity output drastically. The wrong angle on the correct orientation will produce more energy than the correct angle on the wrong orientation.
Solar panels are a great way to improve the efficiency of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding to go solar other than the potential cost savings. The company you choose will have the knowledge to install your solar panels appropriately, however, knowing a few key principals about solar panel installation is always a good starting point.
Proper solar panel orientation and angle is the ideal place to start since these two factors have the greatest effect on efficiency. Dissect the information this article lays out, and work the numbers as they pertain to the location of your home. This will enable you to compare information with your solar panel installer in order to make sure your panels are set up to run as efficiently as possible.
