Perfect Roof Pitch For Solar Panels

For optimum performance a solar panel should be at a 30 degree angle and face south or southwest.

Perfect roof pitch for solar panels.

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. There are several factors in your control when it comes to finding the ideal pitch for your solar panels. That means if you re in a northern state you probably want to have a 45 angle or even possibly slightly more. The ideal angle for solar panels is to have them angled at the same number of degrees as the latitude the panels are at.

Solar contractors recommend using the latitude of your home s location as the degree of tilt. 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. For example the latitude of los angeles california is 34 degrees so the tilt of your solar panels would be 34 degrees. This does not mean however that every rooftop solar array will be capable of producing the same amount of electricity.

However pitch angles between 30 and 45 degrees will work well in most situations. In general solar panels can be installed on almost every form of roofing. 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.