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A solar panel angle calculator works out the tilt that points your panels at the sun for your spot on the map and the time of year. Feed in your latitude and the season, and it gives a tilt angle to set on the mount. The steps below show how to use the figure, set it on an adjustable mount and change it through the year.
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Solar panel angle calculator: the quick answer
Enter your latitude and the season into the calculator, and it gives a tilt angle for your panels. Start near your latitude, tilt steeper in winter when the sun sits low, and flatter in summer when the sun sits high. Set the angle on an adjustable mount, check the mount scale and change the tilt as the seasons change.
Step 1: Find your latitude
Latitude sets the starting tilt. Find your latitude on a map or in your phone settings, and feed it into the calculator with the season. Places nearer the equator need a flatter tilt, and places farther north or south need a steeper tilt. The calculator turns the latitude and the season into a tilt angle for your panels.
Step 2: Adjust for the season
The sun sits low in winter and high in summer, so a fixed angle cannot catch it all year. Tilt the panels steeper in winter to face the low sun, and flatter in summer to face the high sun. Change the tilt when the season changes, and check the angle on the mount scale each time. A fixed mount keeps the same angle all year, while an adjustable mount lets you change it.
Step 3: Set the angle on the mount
Set the angle the calculator gives on an adjustable mount. The Riyhch mount (on Amazon) adjusts 10 to 60 degrees, the CARLKEMIAN mount (on Amazon) adjusts 15 to 30 degrees, and the Frienda brackets (on Amazon) adjust 20 to 160 degrees. The ECO-WORTHY brackets (on Amazon) are marked with an adjustment scale, so you can set the angle on the bracket itself. The Frienda brackets adjust 4 to 7 inches in length, and the CARLKEMIAN long arm adjusts 14 to 27 inches, so the mount fits panels of different sizes. The Riyhch mount lists 6005-T5 aluminum alloy, and the Frienda brackets list anodized 6063 aluminum. Tighten the fasteners after you set the angle, and check the scale before you walk away.
| Mount | Tilt range | Panels |
|---|---|---|
| Riyhch tilt mount | 10 to 60 degrees | Flat roof, RV, boat |
| CARLKEMIAN mount | 15 to 30 degrees | 50W to 400W panels |
| Frienda brackets | 20 to 160 degrees | Roof, RV, boat |
| ECO-WORTHY brackets | Adjustment scale | 100W to 400W panels |
What the tilt does for output
A tilted panel faces the sun more directly than a flat panel, so it catches more light through the day. The ECO-WORTHY listing claims a boost of up to 25% with its tilting system, and the Riyhch mount is made to adjust the angle with the position of the sun. The Frienda brackets cover a wide range of 20 to 160 degrees for panels on roofs, RVs and boats, and the CARLKEMIAN mount covers 50W to 400W panels. Set the angle, tighten the fasteners and check the scale when the season changes.
How to check the angle after you set it
Check the angle after you set it. Stand at the side of the panel and look along its face: the face should point at the sun, not at the sky and not at the ground. Check the mount scale, and check the fasteners after the wind moves the panels. The Riyhch mount comes with 8 screws and 4 spacers, and the Frienda kit comes with 12 bolts and 12 nuts, so you have the hardware to fix the brackets in place. Check the angle again when the season changes.
When to leave the angle alone
A fixed angle suits a mount that never moves, such as a roof mount that you cannot reach. The ECO-WORTHY brackets fit roofs, RVs and boats, and the Riyhch mount fits flat roofs, floors and garages. If the mount sits on a roof you cannot reach, set the angle once and leave it. If the mount sits on the ground or on an RV, change the angle with the season. The CARLKEMIAN mount fits flat tops, walls, floors, RVs and boats, and the Frienda brackets fit roofs, RVs, trailers, boats and ground systems.
FAQ: power away from the grid
What angle should solar panels be at?
It depends on your latitude and the season. A solar panel angle calculator takes your latitude and the season and gives a tilt angle to set on the mount. Start near your latitude, tilt steeper in winter and flatter in summer, and set the angle on an adjustable mount.
Should solar panels face south?
In the northern hemisphere, panels face south to catch the sun through the day. The mounts in this guide adjust the tilt, not the direction, so set the direction when you place the mount and the tilt with the calculator figure.
Do I need to change the panel angle through the year?
A fixed mount keeps the same angle all year, while an adjustable mount lets you change it. The Riyhch mount adjusts 10 to 60 degrees, the CARLKEMIAN mount adjusts 15 to 30 degrees and the Frienda brackets adjust 20 to 160 degrees, so you can set a steeper angle in winter and a flatter angle in summer.
What size panels fit an adjustable tilt mount?
It depends on the mount. The ECO-WORTHY brackets fit panels from 100W to 400W, with a width of about 45 inches, and each bracket supports a panel from 100W to 200W. The CARLKEMIAN mount fits panels from 50W to 400W. Check the panel width and watts against the mount listing before you buy.
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