Solar Panel Angle Calculator
Find the recommended solar panel tilt angle for your latitude — year-round, summer-optimized, and winter-optimized settings.
How this calculator works
Solar panels produce the most power when sunlight hits them as directly as possible. Since the sun’s path across the sky changes with the seasons, there’s no single angle that’s perfect year-round — but there is a simple rule of thumb that gets you close.
This calculator takes your latitude and applies that rule three ways: a year-round compromise angle, a flatter angle for summer, and a steeper angle for winter.
Formula: A simple rule of thumb sets year-round tilt equal to your latitude; a summer-optimized tilt is latitude minus 15°; a winter-optimized tilt is latitude plus 15°.
Worked example
At latitude 35°:
- Year-round tilt: ≈35°
- Summer tilt: 35 − 15 = ≈20°
- Winter tilt: 35 + 15 = ≈50°
Notes
A fixed panel array is usually set at the year-round angle as a compromise, since most installations aren’t adjusted after mounting. If you can adjust the tilt seasonally — or you’re using a tracker that moves automatically — the summer and winter angles let you capture more sun in each season rather than settling for the average.
How to use
Enter your latitude (you can find this from your address using any map service). The calculator returns three tilt angles: one for a fixed year-round setup, and two for seasonal adjustment. Use the year-round figure if your panels won’t move, or the seasonal figures if your mounting system supports adjustment.
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Frequently asked questions
What tilt angle should a fixed solar panel use?
A common rule of thumb sets a fixed panel's tilt equal to your latitude. That angle is a compromise that performs reasonably well across the whole year, rather than being optimized for any single season. It's the default most homeowners use because it doesn't require adjusting the panels later.
How is the summer tilt angle calculated?
The summer-optimized angle is your latitude minus 15 degrees. A flatter angle catches more of the high summer sun, which sits higher in the sky during those months. This setting only helps if you can physically adjust your panel mounts seasonally, or if you're using a tracking system.
How is the winter tilt angle calculated?
The winter-optimized angle is your latitude plus 15 degrees. A steeper angle faces the panels more directly at the lower winter sun path. Like the summer setting, this only applies if your mounting system lets you change the tilt, since a fixed array stays at one angle year-round.
Is this rule of thumb accurate enough for a real installation?
It's a solid planning starting point, but real installers also factor in your roof pitch, shading, local weather patterns, and sometimes fine-tune the angle against modeled production data for your exact site. Use this calculator to get in the right range, then confirm the final tilt with your solar installer.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.