Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator

Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator

Installing solar panels? This calculator recommends an optimal tilt angle based on your latitude and seasonal priorities.

Optimal Tilt = Latitude + Seasonal Adjustment (Summer: -15┬░, Winter: +15┬░, Year-Round: 0┬░)

Example

At 40┬░ latitude, optimizing for year-round output:

~40 degrees optimal tilt

Why Latitude Is the Starting Point

Setting panel tilt angle equal to your latitude is a widely used rule of thumb for maximizing average year-round solar output, since it roughly aligns the panel surface perpendicular to the sun's average position throughout the year at that location.

Adjusting for Seasonal Priorities

Tilting flatter (reducing the angle) favors the higher summer sun position, useful if summer cooling loads dominate your energy needs, while tilting steeper favors the lower winter sun angle, useful if winter heating and shorter days dominate - a fixed-tilt system must pick one priority, while a seasonally-adjustable or tracking mount can optimize for both.