Solar Panel Direction: What is the Best Angle?

When it comes to harnessing the sun’s energy for solar power, the direction and angle of your solar panels plays a critical role. Solar panel direction refers to the orientation of your solar panels relative to the sun, while the angle or tilt is the degree at which solar panels are positioned relative to the ground. Both of these factors affect how much sunlight your panels capture throughout the day and, ultimately, how much energy they produce. 

According to the Department of Energy, solar panels perform best in the U.S. when oriented facing south and tilted between 15 and 40 degrees. This position allows them to soak up more sun during the day, generating more electricity and bigger savings. But solar can still be worth it even if you don’t have the perfect orientation available. Solar panels are designed to be efficient in a wide range of conditions, and in most cases, direction and angle are just two in a much larger list of variables that can impede, or improve solar panel performance. In other words, even if the ideal orientation isn’t available where you live, there’s still a good chance that other variables - such has favorable local weather conditions - will still allow you to save significant money.

In this article, we’ll explore why solar panel angles and orientation is important, the ideal orientation and tilt for solar panels, and factors that play a role in finding the best tilt for your solar panels. 

Key takeaways: 

• South-facing solar panels produce the most electricity in the U.S, but you can still generate more than enough solar power with east or west-facing panels. 
• Most roofs in the U.S. are suitable candidates for solar panels, regardless of orientation or angle.
• Other factors, such as shading or small rooftop surface area, can be more impactful  than angle or orientation when determining if solar power is viable for you. 

What is solar panel orientation?

Solar panel orientation refers to the direction your solar panels face in relation to the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, the general rule of thumb is to position panels facing south to capture the most sunlight throughout the day. Because the sun’s path moves across the southern sky, south-facing orientation provides maximum exposure and thus the most electricity generation. 

That said, solar panels can also be oriented east or west to work around shading from trees and buildings or better match energy consumption. While south-facing is often considered the ideal orientation, you can still adjust the direction of your solar panels to suit your unique circumstances and energy needs. 

Here’s a fun fact: when we talk about solar panel direction, we follow what's called 'true direction’. This is different to magnetic south, which is what you’d see on a compass. Magnetic south points towards the earth’s south magnetic pole, while ‘true south’ points towards the earth’s true axis. The difference is not entirely massive - ‘true south’ is 9° east of magnetic south. If this is making your head spin, you’ll be happy to know that your solar panel installers will take care of all these calculations on your behalf.

What is solar panel angle?

Solar panel angle, also known as tilt, refers to the degree at which your panels are inclined relative to the ground. Unlike solar panel direction, the ideal angle for solar panels is a little more tricky and can vary depending on your geographical location and the time of year. 

The goal of solar panel tilt is to position the panels so they capture the most sunlight over the course of the year. Generally, the further you move away from the equator, the steeper the tilt of solar panels. In Arizona, where the sun stays higher in the sky, solar panels will require less tilt than in other regions, such as New York, where the sun sits much lower in the sky. 

See Similar: Top Reasons to Go Solar in Arizona

What’s the best orientation for solar panels?

South-facing solar panels are often considered the gold standard in the Northern Hemisphere. Positioning your solar panels to face south means they’ll capture the most sunlight throughout the day and generate the maximum amount of energy. 

But south-facing solar panels aren’t the only option. Orienting your solar panels anywhere between southeast and southwest can still be just as ideal and you’ll only experience a slight reduction in energy generation. 

It can also be effective to orient your solar panels east or west, especially if your energy usage is higher in the morning or late afternoon. For example, east-facing panels can be ideal if your household or business consumes more energy in the morning, while west-facing panels can be great for capturing the sun’s rays in the late afternoon. 

At the end of the day, solar panel orientation is just one piece of the puzzle. Even if your solar panels aren’t perfectly oriented, you’ll still likely generate enough free electricity to save money on your utility bills and pay back your investment in a reasonable amount of time. In most cases, it’s not the direction or angle that gets in the way of a roof’s solar potential, there are many other factors at play. 

See More: 9 Ways to Improve Solar Panel Efficiency and Output

What if my roof is north-facing?

If your roof is north-facing, your solar panels might spend a lot less time in the sun than panels facing other directions. But that doesn't mean you have to rule out solar entirely. In places like Arizona, where there's ample sunshine and high electricity prices, north-facing solar panels can still provide a good return on investment, especially if the tilt angle is low and the compass direction points more towards northeast or northwest. 

The best way to get a definitive answer on whether solar panels are viable for your particular location is to speak with an experienced solar panel installer in your local area. At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation with all homeowners and businesses interested in solar. We'll evaluate your energy consumption and roof's suitability for solar panels, then advise you on whether it’s worth going forward with your installation. We understand that most people install solar panels with the goal of generating free electricity and reducing energy bills, and if we don’t think your roof orientation can facilitate that goal, we’ll let you know. 

Factors that affect the ideal solar panel angle

Various factors play a part when finding the ideal angle for your solar panels, including the pitch of your roof, latitude of your location, and time of year or season. 

Roof pitch

Your roof’s pitch can affect the tilt of your solar panels and their ability to generate the maximum amount of electricity. Here’s how roof pitch plays a role in solar panel efficiency: 

• Sun exposure: Depending on how steep your roof is, you may or may not be able to tilt solar panels at the optimum angle. If your roof pitch accommodates the ideal solar panel tilt, you’ll get maximum sunlight exposure and more energy production. 
• Self-cleaning: Steeper roofs allow rainwater to wash away more easily, cleaning dirt, debris, and snow that might accumulate on solar panels and reduce efficiency. 

In the U.S., most homes have a roof pitch between 4/12 and 9/12. Here’s how that translates to solar panel tilt: 

• 4/12 pitch: This is a gentle slope that may require an additional tilt for solar panels to achieve optimal sun exposure. 

• 6/12: This is a more moderate slope and, depending on your location, solar panels installed on this roof pitch might not need any extra tilt. 
• 9/12: This is a steep slope that may require less tilt for optimal sun exposure. 

Read More: 4 Key Reasons to Prioritize Quality Roofing for Solar Installations

Latitude

The latitude of your location plays a big role in finding the best angle for your solar panels. The general rule of thumb is to set the tilt at an angle equal to the latitude of your home. In Arizona, for example, latitudes range from 30 to 40 degrees. Setting your solar panels at a similar angle can help optimize sunlight capture and generate more electricity throughout the year. In lower latitudes, a gentle angle is often enough while higher latitudes might require a steeper solar panel angle to compensate for the lower sun. 

Time of year

The sun’s position changes throughout the year and this can also affect the ideal angle for your solar panels. In summer, for example, the sun is higher in the sky, making a flatter angle effective at capturing sunlight. In winter, on the other hand, the sun is lower in the sky and requires a steeper angle. 

While it’s possible to adjust the angle of your panels seasonally, most residential installations opt for a fixed angle that provides a good balance throughout the year. In Arizona, where sun is abundant all year, a fixed tilt angle close to the latitude is often sufficient without the need for seasonal adjustments. In most cases, the optimum solar panel angle in Arizona ranges between 28 and 38 degrees. 

What about flat roofs?

Flat roofs are actually great candidates for solar panels because they offer more flexibility than sloped roofs. Since flat roofs don’t sit at a fixed angle, solar panels can be mounted on adjustable racks that tilt them at the optimal angle to capture the most sunlight. Usually, solar panels on flat roofs will be mounted at a 15 degree angle, giving enough tilt to keep off debris but not so much that they can be knocked over by wind. 

The good news is that most roofs work with solar

With all this talk about tilt and orientation, you might be wondering if your home is a good fit for solar. The good news is that the vast majority of roofs in the United States are suitable candidates for solar energy. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the nationwide percentage of buildings suitable for solar installments sits around 82%, and in most states, residential solar installations are likely to offset most of the average household electricity consumption. With this in mind, the odds of your roof being a good fit for solar are pretty favorable. 

Solar panels can be effective on roofs with various orientations and pitches, including those facing south, east, or west, and on surfaces ranging from flat to a steep 45 degree angle and maybe even slightly steeper. This means that even if your roof isn’t perfectly aligned with the ideal solar orientation, there’s a strong likelihood that at least part of your roof will be suitable for solar installations. 

You might also be interested to know that, in most cases when a roof isn’t a good candidate for solar, it’s not the direction or angle at fault. The main culprits tend to be shading and available surface area. For example, heavy shading from nearby trees or buildings can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches your panels, making installations less cost-effective. It’s the same for roofs with too many obstructions, such as chimneys, skylights, or plumbing vents, which take up too much surface area and limit the number of panels that can be installed. 

That said, if your roof can accommodate around 8 to 10 panels on a south, west, or east-facing surface with minimal shading, solar is likely to be a smart investment. Especially in sunny regions like Arizona, you’ll likely generate enough electricity to significantly offset your energy bills and recover the cost of installation with decades to spare.

Keep Reading: How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?

To sum up, while some roofs might require a bit more planning, the good news is that most roofs can support solar panels and offer substantial long-term benefits. 

Summary: What’s the best solar panel angle and orientation for my home?

By now, you’ve probably realized that finding the best angle and orientation for solar panels isn’t a simple one-size-fits-all equation. It takes careful consideration and many variables, which is why it’s best to leave it up to the experts. 

At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners and businesses across Arizona harness the power of the sun. We know that every roof is different and we’re here to ensure that your solar installation is optimized for your specific location and circumstances. 

All of our solar installations start with a free, no-obligation consultation that involves evaluating your home and energy needs. We'll check that your roof is suitable for solar panels, draw up a preliminary design, and provide you with an initial ROI calculation and honest advice on whether solar power makes sense for your situation. If it’s not the right fit, you can trust that we won’t push you into a decision – our goal is to offer guidance that’s in your best interest. 

If you’re ready to explore the potential of solar power for your property, contact us today to schedule your consultation.