When it comes to installing solar panels, the way they’re positioned matters just as much as the number of panels you have. A key part of maximizing your energy output involves setting your panels at the right solar tilt and azimuth angles. These two angles determine how directly your panels face the sun, which affects how much sunlight they can capture—and in turn, how much electricity they produce.
Whether you’re installing panels for your home, your business, or even a small off-grid cabin, understanding and applying these angle settings can significantly improve the efficiency of your solar energy system. Let’s explore what these angles mean and how to find the best setup for your location.
What are Solar tilt and azimuth angles?
Before jumping into the specifics, let’s define the terms:
- Tilt angle (also called the elevation angle) is the vertical angle of your solar panels relative to the ground. Think of it as how much the panel leans backward or forward to face the sky.
- Azimuth angle is the horizontal direction your panels face, measured in degrees from true north. It determines whether your panels are oriented toward the south, east, west, or somewhere in between.
To produce the most electricity, your panels need to face directly toward the sun for as long as possible each day. But since the sun moves across the sky throughout the day—and changes its path through the seasons—it’s not quite as simple as aiming once and forgetting about it. The good news is that with a bit of planning, you can get close enough to optimal performance without needing constant adjustments.
Finding the optimal azimuth angle
The best azimuth angle depends on where you live. As a rule of thumb:
- In the Northern Hemisphere, panels should face true south.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, panels should face true north.
Notice the emphasis on true direction, not magnetic direction. That’s an important distinction. A compass shows magnetic north or south, which is influenced by the Earth’s magnetic field and often deviates from true geographic direction. This difference is called magnetic declination, and it varies by location.
What is magnetic declination?
Magnetic declination is the angle between magnetic north (what your compass shows) and true north (the geographic North Pole). If true north is to the east of magnetic north, the declination is positive. If it’s to the west, the declination is negative.
To find your exact declination, you can use an online tool like the NOAA magnetic declination calculator. Once you know your local declination, you can adjust your panels accordingly to ensure they face true south or true north.
Example adjustments:
- If you live in San Diego, California, the magnetic declination is about 11° east. That means to find true south, you’d rotate your panels 11° east of magnetic south.
- If you live in Cochran, Chile, with the same 11° east declination but in the Southern Hemisphere, you’d rotate your panels 11° west of magnetic north to find true north.
These adjustments help point your panels directly at the equator, which is generally the most effective direction for solar energy production.
Finding the optimal tilt angle
While azimuth sets the direction your panels face, tilt affects how well they catch sunlight as it moves across the sky. Just like with azimuth, there’s a simple default setting—and a few optional tweaks if you want to go the extra mile.
Set it and forget it: Use your latitude
If you want a low-maintenance setup, the best general advice is to tilt your panels at the same angle as your latitude. This gives you the best average performance across all seasons.
For example, San Diego is at a latitude of about 33° north, so a tilt of 33° is ideal if you don’t plan to make seasonal adjustments.
Seasonal tilt adjustments
For those who want to fine-tune their system throughout the year, adjusting the tilt can help maximize solar gain during different seasons. Here’s a simple seasonal guide:
- Spring and fall: Set the tilt equal to your latitude.
- Summer: Tilt = latitude minus 10–15°. A flatter tilt captures more high-sunlight angles.
- Winter: Tilt = latitude plus 10–15°. A steeper angle helps capture the lower sun.
These changes can help squeeze out a bit more energy from your system, especially in areas with extreme seasonal shifts. However, unless you’re in a snowy region or completely off-grid, most people find it more convenient to pick a single tilt angle and stick with it.
Snow and steep tilt
If you live in a snowy climate, a steeper winter tilt helps your panels shed snow and continue generating electricity. Adjustable pole mounts are especially useful in these regions, making it easier to raise the angle during the winter months.
Should you use a solar tracker?
You might have heard of solar trackers, which automatically move your panels throughout the day to follow the sun’s path. While this sounds like an ideal solution in theory, it’s often not the most cost-effective choice for residential or small business systems.
Trackers can cost between $600 and $1,000 per panel. That investment may only add 60–90 watts of extra output to a 300-watt panel. In contrast, you could simply add an entire additional panel for around $160, which delivers far more value per dollar if you have the roof or ground space.
Trackers make more sense in large commercial setups where maximizing every watt counts and there’s a budget for advanced equipment. But for most homeowners, the easier and cheaper solution is to slightly oversize your array rather than pay for tracking hardware.
Final thoughts: balance performance with practicality
The truth is, solar panels are very forgiving. Even if your tilt and azimuth angles aren’t perfect, your system will still produce plenty of electricity—just not quite as much as a fully optimized one.
If you’re the hands-on type and enjoy squeezing out every watt of energy, go ahead and fine-tune your setup with seasonal tilt adjustments or even a tracker. But if you’d rather “set it and forget it,” sticking with a tilt equal to your latitude and facing your panels toward true south or north will serve you well.
And remember—if you’re worried about slightly reduced efficiency, the simplest solution is to add an extra panel or two. It’s often cheaper and easier than fiddling with complex systems, and the extra energy gives you some nice breathing room year-round.