What Is the Best Angle For Solar Panels

According to the US Department of Energy, solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs and tilted anywhere between 15 and 40 degrees. This keeps the solar panels in the sunlight for longer, so more electricity is generated.

When it comes to getting the most out of solar panels, angle matters just as much as location and panel quality. The tilt of your panels directly affects how much sunlight they capture throughout the year. In fact, panels tilted at the right angle can produce nearly 25% more electricity compared with panels set flat. However, the “best angle” isn’t a one-size-fits-all number. 

Instead, it depends on where you live, the time of year, and whether your goal is to maximize power during peak summer demand, balance output across all seasons, or prepare for winter reliability. If you are someone who prefers flexibility, Jackery offers a wide range of foldable, portable solar panels that are designed to capture optimal sunlight without the complexity of fixed rooftop angles. You can easily adjust and reposition them throughout the day, making them a practical solution for outdoor trips, off-grid living, or backup power at home.

In this guide, we will reveal everything related to solar panel angle and how to calculate it for your location.

Takeaways 

• The optimal angle for a solar panel is anywhere between 15 and 40 degrees, as recommended by the US Department of Energy.
• You can also tilt the solar panels at your latitude minus 15° during summer to generate more energy. To increase the solar panel output in winter, tilt panels at your latitude and add 15°. 
• In the spring or fall season, latitude acts as the optimal angle for the solar panels.
• What are the factors affecting the best angle for solar panels
• How to calculate the best angle for solar panels.

What Is The Best Angle For Solar Panels

For maximum output, the best angle for solar panels in the US is facing roughly south and tilted anywhere between 15 and 40 degrees, according to the US Department of Energy. This angle keeps the panels in the sun longer, meaning more electricity is generated per panel.

The vertical tilt of the solar system is known as the solar panel angle. In other words, it is the cardinal direction the panel is facing: north, east, west, or south.

The primary aim of placing solar panels at the right angle is to ensure the sun's energy spreads over a larger area. For instance, if the sunlight covers 1 sq. meter of the solar panel surface at 90°, the same rays will spread over 1.5 sq. meters when tilted at 45°.

As a general rule of thumb, the best solar panel angle is the latitude of your home. For instance, if you live in Portland, Oregon, with a latitude of 45.5152° N, the solar panel angle should be 45°, especially during the spring or fall seasons.

Since the sun's position changes throughout the day, the optimal tilt angle changes too.

Why Solar Panel Angle Matter

Photovoltaic solar cells work by absorbing the sun's rays to create electrical energy, which is converted into electricity. The process of solar-to-electric conversion starts when solar panels collect solar radiation. This is where the role of proper orientation comes into the picture.

In general, the solar panels should be titled where the direct sunlight hits them for long hours during the day. If you live in the US, you can achieve this by ensuring the solar panels face the equator and have an angle between 30-45° relative to the horizon.

• Solar panels should face south for those who live in the Northern hemisphere.
• Alternatively, they should face north for those who live in the Southern hemisphere.

When you tilt the angle such that they receive the greatest amount of sunlight, you can produce maximum electricity.

What is The Solar Panel Angle For Your Latitude

The tilt angle increases with respect to latitude — the further your home is from the equator, the higher the tilt angle should be. For instance, if the state is located at a lower latitude, the PV panels should be placed at a downward tilt to capture direct sunlight.

Adjusting the tilt angle every time can be challenging. Therefore, the best angle for a solar panel equals your latitude. For example, if you live in San Diego, where the latitude is 32.7157°N, you can set your solar panels at 33° and leave them untouched.

Note: One important thing to consider is altering the tilt angle depending on wintertime or summertime output. If you run AC for long hours in summer, you can set your solar panels to improve solar production in summer.

If you want to lean toward more production in the summer season, try to tilt the solar panels at your latitude minus 10-15°. On the contrary, to generate more output in the winter, tilt panels at your latitude and add 10-15°.

What is The Solar Panel Angle For Each Season

The optimal solar panel angle changes based on different latitudes and seasons. This is because the sun is lower in the sky during winter and high during summer. Adjusting the solar panels a few times per year will help you produce maximum energy. Here are the general guidelines that can help you during solar panel orientation.

• Spring and Fall: Tilt the solar panels to your latitude.
• Summer: Tilt the solar panels to your latitude minus 15°.
• Winter: Tilt the solar panels to your latitude plus 15°.

To help you understand better, here is the table that shows the best solar panel angle for various states in the US during different seasons.

Note: This table uses the common formula: 

• Winter tilt = Latitude + 15°
• Summer tilt = Latitude – 15°
• Spring/Fall tilt = Latitude

Latitudes are rounded based on the general coordinates of the largest cities. 

What Is The Best Direction For Solar Panels

In the USA (which is in the Northern Hemisphere), the best direction for solar panels is true south, as this orientation maximizes exposure to sunlight throughout the day. East or west-facing panels can also generate significant power, with southwest orientations being a good option to capture peak afternoon energy and avoid higher utility rates. North-facing panels are the least efficient, producing substantially less energy than south-facing ones.

Why Solar Panel Direction Matters

Solar panel direction matters because a south-facing orientation maximizes electricity generation by capturing the most sunlight throughout the day. Panels facing east or west produce less energy, while north-facing panels generate significantly less, making south the optimal direction in the Northern Hemisphere.

Now that you know what solar panel direction is, it's time to understand the reasons why it matters.

Sunlight Angle

As the sun's position in the sky keeps on changing throughout the day, it should be positioned to receive maximum sunlight during the peak sun hours. Adjusting the solar panels in the right direction will help you convert more sunlight into electricity, depending on your location on the Earth.

Panel Efficiency

Solar panels operate efficiently when they are facing the sun directly. The higher the efficiency of solar panels, the more energy output is.

Climatic Factors

Severe weather conditions such as humidity, cloud cover, and pollution can affect the amount of sunlight that solar panels receive. By adjusting the direction of the solar panels, it's possible to offset these factors to a large extent. Thus, it will help solar panels receive maximum sunlight to recharge the battery.

In short, the direction of the solar panel must be oriented towards the sun's direction and tilted at an angle based on the latitude of your location, seasonal variation, etc.

What is The Solar Panel Direction For Your Location

Let's suppose you live in the United States. In this case, you should point your solar panels toward the true South or magnetic South. One important thing to remember is compass reading is not entirely accurate. This is because Earth's magnetic forces pull the compass needle away from the true North or true South. You can witness a decline of around 25° in the compass reading, depending on your location.

The difference between magnetic South and true South is called magnetic declination. This measures how many degrees you must compensate from compass reading (i.e., magnetic South) to find the true South. Below is the illustration of the pattern of magnetic declination according to location.

The direction of the magnetic declination value will vary depending on the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

In the Northern Hemisphere:

• Rotate your solar panels east if your magnetic declination is east (or positive).
• Rotate your solar panels west if your magnetic declination is west (or negative).

In the Southern Hemisphere:

• Rotate your solar panels west if your magnetic declination is east (or positive).
• Rotate your solar panels east if your magnetic declination is west (or negative).

By performing simple adjustments, you can face your solar panels to the equator. Thus, this leads to maximum exposure to sunlight and, eventually, more power generation.

What are the Factors Affect The Best Angle For Solar Panels

Multiple factors affect the best angle for solar panels and affect how much power is generated throughout the day. Understanding them will help you maximize power output and leverage the full value of your solar power solution.

Latitude

Tilting your panels at the same angle as the latitude of your home will maximize the sunlight exposure for that location. For most homeowners, the angle typically lies between 15° and 40°.

Time of Year

Another factor that greatly affects the electricity generation from solar panels is the time of the year or season. For instance, the sun is lower to the horizon during the winter months in the Northern hemisphere. Thus, it is most difficult for your solar panel to capture sunlight and create energy.

Time of Day

Similar to the time of the year, you need to identify the best angle depending on the time of day. Solar panels should be positioned to capture most sunlight during peak sun hours, which are between 10 AM and 4 PM.

How To Calculate The Best Angle For Solar Panels

The solar panel angle will depend on which part of the world you live in. As a general rule of thumb, solar panel orientation should be more vertical during winter. On the other hand, it should be more tilted during the summer season to maximize the output.

Here are the two simple methods to calculate the actual angle for solar panels.

Method 1:

To calculate the optimal tilt angle, add 15° to your latitude during winter. On the other hand, subtract 15° from your latitude during summer.

Let us take an example to understand it better.

Suppose your latitude is 30°; the optimal solar panel angle during winter would be 30° + 15° = 45°. During summer, the best angle for solar panels would be 30° - 15° = 15°.

Method 2:

The second method provides accurate results for the solar panel angle. 

• Winter tilt = (Latitude × 0.9) + 29°
• Summer tilt = (Latitude × 0.9) – 23.5°

In this method, the optimal tilt angle for solar panels during winter will be calculated by multiplying 0.9 and then adding 29°.

For instance, if the latitude is 30°, the tilt angle will be (30° × 0.9) + 29° = 56°. This angle will be steeper than in the general method.

For summer, the solar panel tilt will be calculated by multiplying your latitude by 0.9 and then subtracting 23.5° from the answer.

When the latitude is 30, this angle will be (30° × 0.9) - 23.5° = 3.5°. 

If the season is fall or spring, you have to subtract around 2.5° from the latitude. If the latitude is 30°, the solar panel angle would be 27.5°. 

Best Portable Solar Panels With Jackery

Jackery has been one of the leading solar power solution manufacturers for years. The solar panel and portable power station combination is an easy-to-carry solution that helps homeowners use solar energy to power most home appliances.

The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels feature adjustable kickstands to firmly place them on the surface and adjust the angle according to the sunlight. The ETFE-laminated case, foldable design, and lightweight nature of solar panels make them durable, portable, and long-lasting.

Here we compare the most popular Jackery Solar Panels.

Jackery SolarSaga 40W Mini Solar Panel

The Jackery SolarSaga 40W Mini Solar Panel is ideal for hiking, camping, and other short adventures. It is about the size of a laptop when folded and is easy to slip into a backpack or carry by hand. It is a reliable travel solar panel and has two USB ports for charging small gadgets like phones, tablets, cameras, or even a mini speaker while you are outdoors. 

Who Should Buy This 

If you are a hiker, solo traveler, or anyone who wants a lightweight solar panel to keep essential small devices powered up on the move or recharge the power station, then the Jackery SolarSaga 40W Mini Solar Panel is an ideal choice.

Customer Review 

My SolarSaga 40W Mini is an excellent addition to my lil Jackery family. It perfect weight. Sometimes I forget it's even in my backpack. Keep my fan going all night. Charged my mini speaker at the same time. It's a winner in my book.

— Tripton.

Jackery SolarSaga 40 Air Solar Panel

The Jackery SolarSaga 40 Air Solar Panel is a lightweight solar panel with a 23% bifacial efficiency and IP68 weatherproof protection. It features USB ports to deliver reliable power to phones and other small devices. It weighs only 0.9 kg, so you can easily carry the solar panel during hiking, camping, or other quick trips. 

Who Should Buy This 

If you plan short outdoor trips like hiking and wish to charge small devices like phones in remote locations, you can consider the Jackery SolarSaga 40 Air Solar Panel.

Jackery SolarSaga 100 Air Solar Panel

The Jackery SolarSaga 100 Air Solar Panel is 27% lighter than an average 100W solar panel, making it ideal for camping or road trips. The dual-sided PERC cells capture sunlight from both sides and have 23% bifacial efficiency. It weighs only 7.1 lbs, and the compact W-fold design allows it to fit neatly into the car trunk or travel gear.

Who Should Buy This 

If you love camping trips and need a portable solar panel, you can consider the Jackery SolarSaga 100 Air Solar Panel. It features a 100W output and dual USB A/C ports, so you can charge up to three devices at once.

Jackery SolarSaga 100 Light Solar Panel

The Jackery SolarSaga 100 Light Solar Panel offers 25% conversion efficiency. It has a bendable design that allows the solar panel to seamlessly fit into RV rooftops, balconies, or other curved surfaces. If you often plan camping or RV trips and need a solar panel that can be easily installed on curved surfaces, the Jackery SolarSaga 100 Light Solar Panel is an ideal choice.

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery SolarSaga 100 Light Solar Panel is ideal for off-grid adventures, such as camping or RV trips. The flexible design ensures easy installation, even on outdoor trips.

Jackery SolarSaga 100 Prime Solar Panel

Unlike foldable solar panels, the Jackery SolarSaga 100 Prime Solar Panel is meant to be installed on a balcony, terrace, or RV rooftop, where it can steadily generate power day after day. It is low-maintenance and blends into your daily routine, delivering clean energy without requiring constant repositioning. It features an unshaded front design that allows optimal sunlight absorption and conversion of more solar power into usable electricity.

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery SolarSaga 100 Prime Solar Panel is best suited for apartment dwellers, RV owners, or homeowners looking for a solar panel that can be easily installed and can quietly reduce electricity costs.

Customer Review 

I mounted two of these SolarSage 100 Prime solar panels on the shed in my backyard. They work very well. I was impressed with the build quality (frankly, the best solar panel I've ever touched) and the ease of installation.

— Lief Larson.

Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel

The Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel can be paired with compatible power stations from Jackery. It combines portability and has 24.3% efficiency to recharge the power station. It is quick to set up and easy to fold away. The adjustable kickstands let you change the solar panel angle to capture maximum sunlight. You can keep the solar panels in the car for road trips or outdoor getaways. When paired with a Jackery Portable Power Station, it becomes a dependable home battery backup that gives you peace of mind if the grid goes down.

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel is ideal for campers, weekend adventurers, or families who want a simple, foldable solar panel that’s always ready when needed.

Customer Review 

I am an overlander who frequently camps in remote areas and needed a power station that had all the features that I wanted. I've had several other brands and wish I had just bought a Jackery to begin with! You can't go wrong with Jackery!

— Jimmy Toungate.

Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel

With the Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, you get a step up in efficiency and power output without losing the convenience of portability. It has adjustable kickstands so you can change the solar panel angle based on the direction of sunlight. Its larger surface area captures more sunlight, which means faster charging times of the compatible Jackery Portable Power Station. When paired with a large capacity power station, it is strong enough to support RV living or backyard setups but still folds neatly for storage and transport.

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel is an ideal pick for anyone who wants to recharge the power station faster. The battery backup can run various household appliances for hours.

Customer Review 

I have five (5) of these SolarSaga 200W solar panels, which I use to charge my Explorer 2000 Plus, which includes two (2) expansion batteries & also one (1) 2000v2.

— Michael.

Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panel

The Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panel has a 25% efficiency and can convert maximum sunlight into electricity. The dual-sided solar panel delivers higher output by capturing sunlight from both sides, while keeping the foldable, portable design. It can recharge larger power stations like Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus much faster, which makes a big difference if you are running multiple appliances or need reliable backup during emergencies. 

Who Should Buy This 

If you are a homeowner wanting an essential home backup solution during emergencies and wish to run heavy-duty gear, then the Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panel is the ideal solution.

Customer Review 

Picked this up for our camping outing to power our ARB fridge. Once we got it home we found all types of things we could use it. We were building a pergala and instead draging all of the extention cords around i just set the Jackery up and set the solar out. Used it to run battery charger and work lights, even to power the sauna for use at the end of the day.

— Robert H.

Common Questions about Best Angle For Solar Panels

As multiple factors come into play while calculating solar panel angle, many homeowners often feel confused about their next steps. Below are the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the optimal solar panel angle. This will help you to clear your doubts and adjust solar panels to generate power.

Which is more important: angle or direction?

Both solar panel angle and direction are important factors that have the greatest effect on efficiency. Because of all the nuances of determining solar panel angle, you might think it is the most critical factor. However, that's not the complete truth. Determining solar panel orientation is also an important variable.

When the orientation is improper, your solar panels won't get enough sunlight. Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels are portable panels with adjustable kickstands. You can adjust the angle and orientation of the solar panels, as per your location and weather, to utilize the maximum amount of sunlight.

Does the angle of solar panels affect their output voltage?

Yes, the angle of solar panels highly impacts their output voltage. When you tilt the panels at the optimal angle towards the sun, they get more sunlight and produce more electricity. Therefore, if you want to increase the output voltage, consider adjusting the solar panels at the right angle.

Do solar panels have to face a certain direction?

In short, yes. It's essential to ideally place the solar panels with their face pointing towards the sun. The optimal direction for solar panels is south for the Northern hemisphere and north for the Southern hemisphere. Changing directions and angles based on season, weather conditions, and time of day can increase power production.

Final Thoughts

If you want to maximize the potential of your solar panels, you must place the panels at the ideal angle. The "ideal" angle of the solar panels will entirely depend on various factors, such as weather conditions, season, and location. Once you determine the best angle for solar panels, you can significantly reduce energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and improve panel efficiency.

Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels are highly efficient solar power sources that help you generate electricity. You can combine the solar panel with the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station to produce, store, and power appliances anytime. Don't forget to subscribe to the Jackery newsletter to stay updated with product deals, promotional offers, and other information.

Reply to Comments

Comment: There is substantial difference in the angle between methods 1 and 2. Here in Albuquerque, NM (about 35° ), the winter variable is 50° vs 60°; summer 8° vs 20°. How much effect do those variables have on the output? Is there a preference of one calculation over the other? Thanks.

Reply: Hey, Chris! Method 1 and Method 2 can give noticeably different tilt angles. Method 1 is a simpler “rule of thumb” based on latitude, which aims for a balance across the year. Method 2 adjusts more aggressively for seasonal shifts, meaning it may perform slightly better if you are adjusting your panels a few times a year. If your goal is set-and-forget convenience, Method 1 works well for consistent results year-round. If you are open to seasonal adjustments and want more efficiency, Method 2 is better. If you have any other questions regarding how to adjust the solar panels, please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you.