What is the ideal inclination for solar panels?
Solar energy is one of the renewable sources par excellence and more and more homes and businesses are installing photovoltaic panels . In Spain, in 2023, solar energy generation increased by 29.4% compared to the previous year. And this is going to increase because the average savings on the bill are enormous.
But, once you have decided that you want to install solar panels, you should list of christmas island consumer email know how to get the most out of them. The degree of inclination of the panel, in this case, is essential, because there is an optimal inclination of solar panels . Ideally, you should know what it is because it is a way to get more performance without spending almost anything.
The optimal degree of inclination of solar panels will depend on numerous factors. And, precisely, for this reason, it is good to have a guideline of what may interest you. Let's look at the main reasons that count when preparing the installation...
1. Geographic location
The first thing to consider is the geographical location of the home, office or warehouse. In the Northern Hemisphere, where Spain is located, the ideal inclination of solar panels is usually towards the south, because the sun reaches them better; however, in the Southern Hemisphere, the panels are usually inclined towards the north.
The range for choosing the right inclination is the latitude , in Spain, it is between 20 and 40º. Depending on whether it is further north or further south, it can be adjusted. Most of the time, the inclination degrees of solar panels are usually approximately 30º. But, as there is no exact location, the calculation will have to be done. It should also be said that if you do not want great complications, the default inclination of 30º is often used, especially for private homes with photovoltaic panels installed on roofs.
Why is the ideal inclination for solar panels in Spain towards the south? Because that is where you get better sun exposure than towards the north. This is not surprising: this is the same thing that is traditionally done in agriculture: let's think of crops such as vineyards.
2. Specific location of the installation
The location of the installation also has to do with the location of the house. If a house is less well oriented towards the south or north, the inclination of the solar panels may have to be adjusted from east to west to get the maximum possible performance.
It is true that the photovoltaic panel is usually located facing south. But, having said that, the best location must be found, either on the roof or in another area of the land. Being in a valley is not the same as being on top of a hill or mountain, and shadows can also cause additional problems. Therefore, depending on whether it is a house, an industrial warehouse or a piece of land, it is especially good to calculate which may be the best place.
Whenever possible, the more exposure to sunlight the better, as more energy will be absorbed. However, do not forget that maintenance must be carried out from time to time to ensure that the panels are clean.
3. Time of year
The inclination of the sun varies according to the time of year in temperate climates: this is the case in Spain. Therefore, there are times of the year when you get more solar energy and times when you will get less if you maintain the same degree of inclination. In practically the entire territory, there are significant variations depending on summer and winter.
Let's take an example: when we are close to the spring or autumn equinox, the inclination would be approximately adjusted to the latitude of the location. On the other hand, when we are close to the summer or winter solstices, the inclination of the sun is much greater, and that may force you to make adjustments. There are also nuances depending on the area of Spain, although here the changes will be much smaller.
