Best Angle For Solar Panels In Winter

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.

Best angle for solar panels in winter.

Solar panels on a shallow roof capture more sunlight during the summer season whereas solar panels on a steep roof will produce more power during the winter. In 2015 the northern alberta institute of technology nait completed a 3 year long side by side study comparing snow covered panel performance with snow cleared panel performance. At some places as much as a vertical tilt of the panels is needed to get the maximum output during wintertime. 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 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. 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. The ideal angle for your solar panels can vary depending on your solar objectives. Calculating the ideal angle for your solar panels is not that difficult.

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. 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. Corey wood march 6 2019 at 2 15 pm solar panels need sunlight to produce power so if your solar panels are covered in snow they will not generate electricity this statement is not actually true. Optimum angle differs during winter months.

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. Solar panels with a fixed tilt angle. 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. 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.

During winter the sun is lower and to catch more of its light the best solar panel angle would be more tilted. Calculating the optimal solar panel angle. Therefore the best angle for your solar panels is the one that allows the panels to get the most direct perpendicular light.