Roof Slope For Solar Panels

At 30 the energy drops to 1 260kwh m2 year a reduction of just 0 4.

Roof slope for solar panels.

The energy reduces as we move away from this optimum angle. For roofs where pv panels cover up to 33 of the total area in plan view essentially as seen from above the panels must be at least 18 in. So for this roof the optimum angle is 35 a bit over an 8 12 roof slope and at this angle the roof generates 1 265kwh m2 day. The angle of your roof actually has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your solar energy system faces.

Away from a horizontal ridge on both sides to create the 36 in wide path. However the panels can be installed anywhere between 10 to 35 deg with negligible efficiency loss. Solar contractors recommend using the latitude of your home s location as the degree of tilt. Where panels cover more than 33 of the roof a 36 in wide path is required on both sides of the ridge.

Most australian homes have a roof pitch of 20 to 30 which is considered optimum for maximizing solar power generation. The orientation of the panels and the angle they are tilted will have a greater effect on annual energy production. However even if you lower the tilt of your roof all the way down to 5 production only decreases by about 10 percent. Optimal electricity production occurs when solar panels face south at a tilt equal to 30.

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.