Solar Roof Pitch

However pitch angles between 30 and 45 degrees will work well in most situations.

Solar roof pitch.

There are several factors in your control when it comes to finding the ideal pitch for your solar panels. Photovoltaics produce power when the angle at which the sun s rays hit the panel surface the angle of incidence is small or when light strikes the panel as close to perpendicular as possible. At this level the solar panel can lie flat on the roof and get enough sunlight to produce enough electricity. This is a good option if the house roof cannot support the panels or there is a building with a better roof angle.

1 alternative mounting location. Roof design you will most likely be installing the solar panels on your roof which is why you have to take into account the roof pitch too. Most roofs have an inclination of 30 to 40 degrees. South roofs will net you the greatest performance from a solar electric system regardless of roof pitch.

Overall the angle of your rooftop has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your roof faces. Ideally a fixed roof mounted solar energy system should be at an angle that is equal to the latitude of the location where it is installed. More notably the roof pitch does not make much of a difference in energy produced. Whether you have a relatively flat 3 in 12 roof or a steep for southwest florida 7 in 12 pitch roof the energy production will be about the same.

Solar contractors recommend using the latitude of your home s location as the degree of tilt.