How To Determine Best Solar Panel

If your latitude is above 50 see other situationsbelow.

How to determine best solar panel. To determine how many solar panels you needed for your household first you need to know the home s energy load and set your energy goals. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer. There is a difference. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

Tilt the panels to your latitude. Places with high electric rates and full retail net metering are often some of the best places to install solar. Solar installers consider the following factors to calculate the number of panels needed. The size shape and slope of your roof are also important factors to consider.

Typically solar panels perform best on south facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees though other roofs may be suitable too. The rule is that if you live in the southern hemisphere you should point your panels true north and if you live in the northern hemisphere you should point them true south. Both of these angles require latitude degrees. Subtract 15 degrees from the latitude at your location during summer and add 15 degrees to your latitude during winter.

This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. If there are trees near your home that create excessive shade on your roof rooftop panels may not be the most ideal option. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15. Use one of these formulas to find the best angle from the horizontal at which the panel should be tilted.

Another important factor when deciding are solar panels worth it is how high your electricity rates are and whether or not your utility offers retail net metering. Tilt the panels to your latitude plus 15. If your latitude is below 25 use the latitude times 0 87. If your latitude is between 25 and 50 use the latitude times 0 76 plus 3 1 degrees.

Now a compass tells you magnetic north and south but it does not show you true north and south. There s a simple rule of thumb for calculating the best tilt angle for fixed mount solar panels. In other words you will calculate the solar energy system s inputs. While the angle of your solar panels is important a more important factor in your energy production is going to be the direction your panels face.

For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle. Tilt the panels to your latitude minus 15. Tilt the panels to your latitude. The first way to achieve your energy goal is to conserve electric power by reducing appliance use and using efficient appliances.

There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels.