If you have the option to place the panels in more of a north east or north west direction it is recommended.
Efficiency of solar panels at different angles.
As the angle of the sunlight on a solar panel deviates from the perpendicular the solar panel power output decreases.
You can visualize this by shining a flashlight on a piece of paper.
The effect of an array s tilt angle on solar pv energy output may be up to 20 compared to that of flat installations.
The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer.
The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19.
The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range.
The solar panel angle can affect the amount of solar electricity you generate and is based on two factors.
The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency.
When a solar system is level with the ground it has no tilt.
For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.
This is because the average intensity of the light incident on a flat surface area decreases as the angle decreases from 90 degrees.
Factors that affect solar panel efficiency.
Depending on your location and roof pitch you re going to lose somewhere between 10 20 efficiency as a result of not having panels facing in a due north direction.
A comparison of data in two us cities has been completed to exhibit the importance of a solar pv array s tilt angle.