Best Angle For Solar Panels In Winter

Therefore the best angle for your solar panels is the one that allows the panels to get the most direct perpendicular light.

Best angle for solar panels in winter.

To get maximum energy efficiency during the winter solstice the solar panels in chicago must face south and be tilted 65 90 25. 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 with a fixed tilt angle. If your solar panels will have a fixed tilt angle and you want to get the most energy over the whole year then this section is for you.

During the winter in the northern hemisphere for example the sun is low in relation to the horizon. The violet line is the solar energy per day if the panel is fixed at the winter angle discussed below these figures are calculated for 40 latitude. Calculating the optimal solar panel angle. While you can use solar panel trackers to keep them at the optimum angle at all times the costs and complications involved aren t worth it in most cases.

If you want to improve your winter performance you would angle your photovoltaic panels towards the winter months in order to get the best performance at that time of year. For example if you are seeking to maximise solar generation during winter months be it for an off grid system or higher energy consumption levels you would ideally want to angle your panels at a greater tilt for maximum exposure to the low winter sun. While the sun is in a higher position in the sky during the summer and lower position during the winter it has an average position right in between the two seasons. If you have the opportunity to adjust your photovoltaic panels throughout the year you will benefit from having the optimum performance from your solar system all of the time.

As a rule of thumb solar panels should be more vertical during winter to gain most of the low winter sun and more tilted during summer to maximize the output. Optimum angle differs during winter months. In this case for the solar panels to get their best performance a steep angle of 60 is best. During winter the sun is lower and to catch more of its light the best solar panel angle would be more tilted.

In this way at noon the panels will be perfectly perpendicular to the sun s rays. At some places as much as a vertical tilt of the panels is needed to get the maximum output during wintertime. During the spring the best angle is 45 and during the summer when the sun is high in the sky it s best to have a low tilt at 20. Calculating the ideal angle for your solar panels is not that difficult.