Today’s generation is getting more and more conscious about their carbon footprint. They want to do their bit for the environment, and one way to do this is by switching to green energy.
Solar panels are transformative in every sense of the word. They can be used to power homes and businesses and charge up cars and other personal vehicles. Since they don’t pollute the air like fossil fuels, do, they are a much better choice for our environment.
But solar panels aren’t just good for the environment—they’re also great for your wallet! However, for this sophisticated technology to work correctly, it needs proper installation. Tilt is one of the most critical aspects of installing solar panels and can make or break your entire system. If you don’t get it right, your investment could go down the drain sooner than expected.
But why tilt? What does it mean when we talk about a tilt in relation to solar panels? And why does it matter so much? Read more below:
Do Solar Panels Need To Be Angled?
Solar panels are transforming our world. In the past, solar panels have been used primarily for commercial applications. However, recent technological advancements have led to greater efficiency and higher levels of solar panel output. This means that we can expect more and more homes and businesses to be powered by solar energy in the coming years!
One of the most significant benefits of solar panels is their ability to produce electricity from sunlight without releasing any pollution into the environment. Solar panels also generate power much more efficiently than other renewable energy sources, such as wind or hydroelectric power. This means a small land area can provide significant amounts of power to entire cities! However, for solar panels to work correctly, they need to be tilted at an angle—typically between 30-40 degrees south [1] because this allows direct exposure to sunlight throughout most hours of daylight.
In fact, the angle at which solar panels are tilted is one of the most important decisions a homeowner can make. The angle of the panels informs how much energy they produce, directly impacting their efficiency.
Solar panel tilt is intended to maximize exposure to direct sunlight. That means that to get the most out of your panels, you need to position them so that they are perpendicular to the sun’s rays as it moves across the sky. At this angle, light can enter each cell and be absorbed by electrons. This process creates an electric current which can then be used by homeowners or businesses to power their homes or facilities.
It’s worth noting that this process only works when sunlight comes directly overhead (or nearly so). For a solar panel to produce electricity efficiently, its cells must be receiving constant exposure to sunlight; this means that if you don’t have enough room on your roof for your solar panels (either because they’re too tall or because there isn’t enough space between them), then they may not receive enough direct sunlight even if they’re adequately tilted.
What Angle Should Solar Panels Be At?
We know you want to get the most out of your solar panels, and we’re here to help.
Regarding solar panel efficiency, two factors make all the difference: the angle of your panels and their orientation. There are many myths out there about what angle is best for generating electricity from the sun’s rays, but don’t worry—we’re here to dispel them!
The entire purpose of tilting is to ensure that the sun rays are hitting your panels at an angle that’s perpendicular to their surface. This means that when you install them on your roof or somewhere else where they can be easily seen, they should face directly south during spring (45°) [2], and then in the summer season, the best angle is 20°. South-facing panels should have 30° to 40°.
But why does this matter? Well, if you’re using an old-school system with fixed panels that can’t be adjusted, then you’ll want to make sure they’re facing directly south during those times of the year, so they’ll generate as much power as possible. If you have any kind of modern system with adjustable panels, like one with a solar tracker, then you can set them up so they’re always facing directly south no matter what time of year it is.
How Important Is the Angle for Solar Panels?
The sun’s angle in relation to your solar panels can significantly impact the amount of power your system can produce. The angle at which the sun hits your solar panels is called the ’tilt angle.’ If you want to ensure that your solar panels are getting the most sunlight possible, it is essential to make sure that you have an accurate tilt angle for your installation.
The tilt angle of a solar panel is determined by the latitude at which it is installed. At the equator, where the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to its orbital plane, there are no seasons and no tilt change. However, as you move away from the equator, seasonal changes will increase with each degree of latitude that you travel north or south.
For example: if you live at 40 degrees north latitude (NYC – 40.730610), the optimal tilt angle would be 64 degrees in winter, 41 degrees in spring, and 18 degrees in summer. For best results, it is recommended that you work with your local solar panel installation company, for they have the tools and decades of knowledge to determine what will work best for you and your home’s location.
Is There Any Advantage to Mounting Panels Facing East/West Rather Than South?
One of the most significant factors in determining how well solar panels perform is where they’re facing. If your panels face south, they’ll get the most sun exposure during the day. If they’re facing east or west, they won’t be getting as much sun exposure during the middle of the day, which means they won’t generate as much electricity during those hours.
But it’s not all bad news if you want to put your panels east or west—sometimes, this makes sense if you live in an apartment with a fixed roof and no room to turn your panels. You’ll also want to take into consideration what else is in your area—if there are trees or other buildings that could overshadow your panels, it might make more sense to have them face east or west so that they can still get sun exposure when other things on your property get in the way of the sun.
