Shade will also affect your output regardless of the orientation or elevation.
Optimum angle for solar panels uk.
Since solar panels are more productive when the sun s rays are perpendicular to their surfaces the certainly best orientation is the one directly true south azimuth angle 180.
A typical two storey house roof in the uk ha a roof elevation of around 30º 40º although there are exceptions.
Providing the highest level of solar radiation.
If you cannot change the angle of your panel throughout the year angle your panel according to the time of year that you need to get the best performance out of your system.
Therefore in london which has a latitude of around 51 degrees solar panels should ideally be mounted at an angle of approximately 65 degrees.
The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer.
The effect of shading on solar panels.
For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.
In the notes section you can see the position of sunrise and sunset at different times of the year.
In the far north of scotland your panels would perform better if your roof angle was 40 degrees.
The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19.
On the contrary in the countries of the southern hemisphere such as south africa and australia the best orientation is true north.
For the far south of england the optimal roof angle would be closer to 30 degrees.
In the uk the optimum roof pitch for solar panels is 30 to 40 degrees.
Similarly in the southern hemisphere solar panels should face to the north.
Pv panels output will drop off beyond these figures.
In the northern hemisphere solar panels should face to the south where the sun is found at midday.