---
title: Solar panel tilt angle selection
description: "On any system that uses solar panels, it is important to aim and tilt the panels for optimal operation properly. ### Trailer Systems In the case of a trailer, you can set the tilt angle every time you deploy the…"
url: "https://vettedsecuritysolutions.com/docs/solar-panel-tilt-angle-selection/"
updated: "2023-06-14"
category: Solar and Battery Maintenance
---

# Solar panel tilt angle selection

On any system that uses solar panels, it is important to aim and tilt the panels for optimal operation properly.

### Trailer Systems

In the case of a trailer, you can set the tilt angle every time you deploy the trailer, so you can pick the optimal angle for the time of year.

- You can use a calculator like [Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator](https://shopsolarkits.com/pages/solar-panel-tilt-angle-calculator) to help find the correct angle.

### Fixed Systems

In the case of a fixed installation, like on a utility pole, you will use the **winter tilt angle**. The rule of thumb for this is to take the latitude of the location and add 15. The resulting number is the panel angle from **horizontal.**

- You can find the latitude by clicking/tapping the map on google maps:

![solar map.jpg](/wp-content/uploads/confluence-migration/2032467975/2032533517/solar map.jpg)

In this example, 27.8 + 15 = **43 degrees from horizontal**(always round to nearest whole number)

- Use angle finder app on your phone to set angle [Bubble Level Protractor Clinometer App](https://www.jrsoftworx.com/)

### Tilt Angle Example

The example below shows the impact of [Solar Radiation on a Tilted Surface](https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/solar-radiation-on-a-tilted-surface).

- **Red** line is “optimal” if panel tilt angle was adjusted every day
- **Blue** line is if the panel were lying flat
- **Green** line is performance at the selected tilt angle.

The best result would be a flat, horizontal line, representing a constant solar output all year, which is not possible with a fixed-mounted panel.

![tilt angle calculation.jpg](/wp-content/uploads/confluence-migration/2032467975/2032664593/tilt angle calculation.jpg)

##### Other Useful Links

[Solar Path Calculator](https://www2.pvlighthouse.com.au/calculators/solar%20path%20calculator/solar%20path%20calculator.aspx)

[Solar Panel Angle](https://sinovoltaics.com/learning-center/system-design/solar-panel-angle-tilt-calculation/)