Optimum Pitch For Solar Panels Uk

If you are going to adjust the tilt of your solar panels twice a year and you want to get the most energy over the whole year then this section is for you.

Optimum pitch for solar panels uk.

Providing the highest level of solar radiation. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. In the uk the optimum roof pitch for solar panels is 30 to 40 degrees. A photovoltaic solar panel will generate the most electricity when solar radiation hits it directly i e.

Pv panels output will drop off beyond these figures. The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust. For the far south of england the optimal roof angle would be closer to 30 degrees. At a 90 degree angle face on.

The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun height on a month by month. The sun s rays are hitting the panel perpendicularly i e. A typical two storey house roof in the uk ha a roof elevation of around 30º 40º although there are exceptions. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer.

So let s just say that you really don t want your panels being shaded. In the far north of scotland your panels would perform better if your roof angle was 40 degrees. The effect of shading on solar panels shading is a big problem for solar photovoltaic panels. As well as the orientation the angle at which the panels are pitched is important.

However pitch angles between 30 and 45 degrees will work well in most situations. Overall the angle of your rooftop has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your roof faces. As the sun appears to move across the sky from east to west through the day and it appears to move up and then down in the sky as well an optimum fixed mounting position must be found for a. If you are trying to install solar panels on a steep roof it may not be possible to place panels at the optimal tilt with traditional racking systems.

Many roofs are going to have slopes between 30 and 40 degrees which means that solar panels can lie flush against the roof and produce enough electricity for attractive returns. Ideally a fixed roof mounted solar energy system should be at an angle that is equal to the latitude of the location where it is installed. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19.

Shade will also affect your output regardless of the orientation or elevation. This is due to the fact that the angle of the sun is 50 to 60 degrees which when combined with a 30 to 40 degree roof pitch creates a 90 degree angle. If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees.