How to Use the Solar Panel Tilt & Azimuth Calculator
A solar module's energy output depends heavily on how directly it faces the sun. This calculator uses your site's latitude to recommend the tilt angle that maximizes average output year-round, plus adjusted angles if you'd rather prioritize summer or winter generation.
As a rule of thumb, the year-round optimal tilt angle is close to the site's latitude. Los Angeles (latitude ~34°N) does well around a 34° tilt, while Denver (~39.7°N) and New York City (~40.7°N) sit closer to 40°. To favor a specific season, installers commonly tilt flatter than latitude for summer and steeper than latitude for winter.
The optimal azimuth depends on hemisphere: true south (180°) in the Northern Hemisphere and true north (0°) in the Southern Hemisphere capture the most total sunlight over a day. Because this result assumes ideal, unobstructed conditions, have a solar installer confirm the final design against your roof shape, shading, and structural constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a rule of thumb, the tilt angle that maximizes year-round output is close to your site's latitude. Tilting flatter than latitude favors summer output, while tilting steeper favors winter output.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun tracks across the southern sky, so a panel facing true south (azimuth 180°) receives the most total sunlight each day. In the Southern Hemisphere, true north (azimuth 0°) is the reference instead.