Solar Calculator
Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator
Calculate Solar Panel Tilt Angle by month-wise and season-wise using zipcode or current location + visualization canvas included.
Created By
Willmar Furgesin
Calculate your Panel Tilt Angle
Optimal Tilt Angles by Season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
Optimal Tilt Angles by Month
| January | February | March | April | May | June |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | August | September | October | November | December |
Seasonal Tilt Visualization
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
There are several online calculators can help you find the optimal angle for solar panels based on your location. Among the most accurate calculators, SolarSCalculator.com uses your specific address or ZIP code to determine precise tilt angles and seasonal or year-round recommendations for maximum efficiency. It also integrates solar position data to ensure reliable, location-based results tailored to your site conditions.
Solar Panel Tilt Angles Calculated from solarcalculator.com
| City | State | Best Year-Round Tilt Angle | Best Summer Tilt Angle | Best Winter Tilt Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | GA | 28.6° | 13.6° | 43.6° |
| Austin | TX | 26.8° | 11.8° | 41.8° |
| Baltimore | MD | 31.2° | 16.2° | 46.2° |
| Boston | MA | 32.5° | 17.5° | 47.5° |
| Charlotte | NC | 29.3° | 14.3° | 44.3° |
| Chicago | IL | 32.3° | 17.3° | 47.3° |
| Columbus | OH | 31.5° | 16.5° | 46.5° |
| Dallas | TX | 28.1° | 13.1° | 43.1° |
| Denver | CO | 31.4° | 16.4° | 46.4° |
| Detroit | MI | 32.5° | 17.5° | 47.5° |
| Houston | TX | 26.5° | 11.5° | 41.5° |
| Indianapolis | IN | 31.4° | 16.4° | 46.4° |
| Jacksonville | FL | 26.8° | 11.8° | 41.8° |
| Kansas City | MO | 31.1° | 16.1° | 46.1° |
| Las Vegas | NV | 29.8° | 14.8° | 44.8° |
| Los Angeles | CA | 28.8° | 13.8° | 43.8° |
| Milwaukee | WI | 32.8° | 17.8° | 47.8° |
| Minneapolis | MN | 33.6° | 18.6° | 48.6° |
| Nashville | TN | 29.8° | 14.8° | 44.8° |
| New Orleans | LA | 26.6° | 11.6° | 41.6° |
| New York City | NY | 31.8° | 16.8° | 46.8° |
| Oklahoma City | OK | 29.5° | 14.5° | 44.5° |
| Philadelphia | PA | 31.5° | 16.5° | 46.5° |
| Phoenix | AZ | 28.5° | 13.5° | 43.5° |
| Portland | OR | 33.8° | 18.8° | 48.8° |
| San Diego | CA | 28.1° | 13.1° | 43.1° |
| San Francisco | CA | 30.5° | 15.5° | 45.5° |
| San Antonio | TX | 26.3° | 11.3° | 41.3° |
| Seattle | WA | 34.6° | 19.6° | 49.6° |
| Washington DC | DC | 31.0° | 16.0° | 46.0° |
Features
Location-Specific Tilt Angles
Our calculator uses your latitude to determine the best tilt angles. For example, in Karachi East (latitude 24.86°), the year-round angle is approximately 24.86°. However, we go beyond this rule of thumb by applying advanced formulas:
- Year-Round: Latitude × 0.76 + 3.1
- Spring/Fall: Latitude × 0.98 – 2.3
- Summer: Latitude × 0.93 – 21
- Winter: Latitude × 0.875 + 19.2
Seasonal and Monthly Adjustments
The sun’s position changes throughout the year—higher in summer, lower in winter. Our calculator provides:
Seasonal Angles: Four distinct angles to adjust your panels quarterly.
Monthly Angles: Twelve angles for fine-tuning each month, ideal for those with adjustable mounts.
For example, in winter, a steeper angle (e.g., 39.86° in Karachi East) captures more sunlight when the sun is lower, while a flatter angle (e.g., 9.86° in summer) is better for higher sun positions.
Use Cases
Optimize your rooftop solar setup for maximum energy production, whether you have a fixed or adjustable mount.
Adjust portable solar pv panels angle calculation on the go to ensure you’re always capturing the most sunlight, no matter where you park.
For remote cabins or tiny homes, fine-tune your panels to meet your energy needs year-round.
For remote cabins or tiny homes, fine-tune your panels to meet your energy needs year-round.
What is the Purpose of the Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator?
The purpose of our calculator is simple: to help you position your solar panels at the ideal tilt angles by city or zip code, maximizing energy production. The angle at which your solar panels are tilted directly impacts how much sunlight they capture. A flat panel (0° tilt) reflects most sunlight, while a properly tilted panel ensures sunlight hits the surface perpendicularly, boosting absorption and efficiency. Our calculator takes the guesswork out of this process by providing precise tilt angles for your location, whether you’re optimizing for year-round performance, seasonal adjustments, or monthly fine-tuning.
How to Use the Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator
For a quick estimate, you can use these simple formulas based on your latitude:
For year-round optimization: Set your panels at an angle equal to your latitude.
For winter optimization (to catch the lower sun): Use your latitude + 15°.
For summer optimization (to catch the higher sun): Use your latitude – 15°.
People Also Asked (PAA)
How Do You Calculate Solar Tilt?
Enter your location (zip code or current coordinates) into our calculator. It uses your latitude to compute the tilt angle with formulas like Latitude × 0.76 + 3.1 for year-round optimization, adjusting for seasonal and monthly variations.
What is the 20% Rule for Solar Panels?
The 20% rule suggests that for every 1° your tilt angle deviates from the optimal angle, you lose about 0.2% of your energy output. Our calculator ensures you stay as close as possible to the ideal angle to minimize losses.
How Do You Find the Right Angle for Solar Panels?
Use our calculator to input your location, and it will provide the best angle based on your latitude and the time of year. You can also manually measure your panel’s tilt with a protractor or inclinometer to ensure it matches the recommended angle.
How Much Difference Do Tilting Solar Panels Make?
Tilting panels to the optimal angle can increase energy production by 7–8% annually, as shown in studies from Chandigarh, India. Even small adjustments can make a significant difference over time.
What Direction is True South?
True south is 180° clockwise from true north in the Northern Hemisphere. Use a compass or digital app to ensure your panels face true south for maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day.
What is the Rule of Thumb for Solar Panel Tilt?
The general rule is to set your tilt angle equal to your latitude for year-round performance. However, our calculator improves on this by providing seasonal adjustments, which can increase energy output by up to 0.71% annually.
How to Calculate the Tilt Angle?
Our tool automates this for you, but manually, you can use: Year-Round = Latitude × 0.76 + 3.1; Summer = Latitude × 0.93 – 21; Winter = Latitude × 0.875 + 19.2. Enter your latitude into these formulas to get your angles.
How Much Should Solar Panels Be Tilted?
This depends on your location and goals. For example, in Karachi East (latitude 24.86°), a year-round tilt of 24.86° is ideal, but you might use 9.86° in summer and 39.86° in winter for seasonal optimization.
What is the Optimal Tilt Angle?
The optimal tilt angle varies by location and season. Our calculator provides the most accurate angle for your specific needs, typically outperforming the latitude rule by 0.71% in annual energy production.
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Ready to Optimize Your Solar Panels?
With SolarSCalculator.com, finding the perfect tilt angle for your solar panels has never been easier. Whether you’re looking for the best solar panel tilt angle for year-round performance, seasonal adjustments, or monthly fine-tuning, our calculator has you covered. Start maximizing your solar energy today—enter your location and let us help you harness the power of the sun!
