Solar Panel Azimuth Angle Calculator helps you quickly determine ideal direction to face your solar panels for maximum energy production based on your location and current magnetic declination.
Solar Panel Azimuth Angle Calculator is an essential tool for optimizing solar energy systems, helping users determine most effective direction to face their solar panels based on their specific geographic location.
Solar Panel Azimuth Angle Calculator
Note: Also check out our Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator to find the best tilt angle for your solar panels.
By taking into account user’s position either through manual address entry or by using GPS for current location calculator accurately identifies optimal azimuth angle by considering magnetic declination using latest World Magnetic Model data.
This precision allows users to align their solar panels toward true south in northern hemisphere or true north in southern hemisphere, maximizing energy production throughout the year.
Whether for homeowners, installers, or energy consultants, this calculator offers smart and accessible way to make informed decisions, ensuring higher efficiency and better return on investment from solar panel installations.
Solar Panel Azimuth Angle Calculator
Use our Solar Panel Azimuth Angle Calculator to find the best direction to point your solar panels and get the most out of your solar energy system.
Calculator Info
This tool uses the latest version of the World Magnetic Model to figure out the magnetic declination at your specific location. It also considers today’s date so the calculation is always up to date.
What’s Best Direction for Solar Panels?
If you’re in the northern hemisphere, best direction for your solar panels is true south.
If you’re in the southern hemisphere, aim for the true north.
These directions usually help you produce the most electricity throughout the year. However, things like your local weather patterns can slightly change the ideal angle sometimes bit east or west may work even better.
What Does Azimuth Angle Mean?
Azimuth angle tells you which direction your solar panels are facing. It’s measured in degrees, moving clockwise from true north.
For example:
- An azimuth angle of 0° means your panels face true north.
- An angle of 180° means they’re facing true south.
What’s Magnetic Declination?
Magnetic declination is the difference between true north and magnetic north (the direction compass points).
If you’re using a compass to set your panel direction, you’ll need to adjust for this difference to get an accurate alignment.
Declination can be positive or negative:
- Positive: magnetic north is east of true north.
- Negative: magnetic north is west of true north.
Our calculator uses the latest World Magnetic Model (also used by organizations like the US Department of Defense and NATO) to figure out the magnetic declination for your exact location on the current date.
Is True South or North Always the Best Option?
Not always. Local weather can shift what’s best slightly east or west.
For example, if you’re in the northern hemisphere and your area usually gets cloudy in the afternoon, you might aim your panels a bit east of south to capture more sunlight in the clearer morning hours.
Calculator gives you a solid starting point using true north/south and magnetic declination. But if you want to get even more precise, you can use tools like PVWatts to fine-tune based on your local conditions and electricity usage patterns.
What About Peak Energy Times?
If you’re trying to maximize savings during peak energy pricing, which often happens in the late afternoon, it can make sense to aim your panels slightly west. That way, they generate more power when electricity costs the most.
In short, this calculator gives you a clear, simple way to point your solar panels in the right direction, whether you’re after max efficiency or max savings.