Solar Panel Tilt for Winter vs Summer: What You Need to Know
Quick Answer
Summer: Use a flatter tilt angle because the sun is higher in the sky.
Winter: Use a steeper tilt angle because the sun stays lower on the horizon.
Best compromise: Use your annual optimal tilt angle if your panels cannot be adjusted.
Best performance: Adjust your panels twice per year—once in spring and once in autumn.
Seasonal adjustments can increase annual energy production by 5–15% compared to a fixed tilt, depending on your latitude and climate.
Why Solar Panel Tilt Changes With the Seasons
The sun does not stay in the same position throughout the year.
In summer, the sun rises higher and stays above the horizon for longer periods. Solar panels perform best when they are tilted closer to horizontal.
In winter, the sun follows a much lower path across the sky. A steeper panel angle points the panels more directly toward the sun and reduces reflection losses.
The farther you live from the equator, the larger this seasonal change becomes.
Why Winter Tilt Matters
During winter:
The sun stays lower in the sky
Daylight hours are shorter
Solar irradiance is reduced
A panel mounted too flat can miss a significant portion of available sunlight.
For example:
Location Summer Tilt Winter Tilt Estimated Winter Gain
Port-au-Prince (18.5°N) 13.5° 23.5° ~15%
Phoenix (33°N) 18° 48° ~25–35%
New York (40°N) 25° 55° ~30–50%
These values are approximate and vary depending on weather conditions, shading, and panel orientation.
Why Summer Tilt Matters
During summer:
The sun is nearly overhead
Days are longer
Solar irradiance is generally stronger
Using a winter angle in summer can reduce production because the panels become too steep.
In Phoenix, a panel around 8–18° generally produces noticeably more energy during June than the same panel set to a winter angle near 48°.
How Latitude Affects Seasonal Tilt
The closer you are to the equator, the smaller the seasonal adjustment needed.
Tropical Locations (<25° Latitude)
Recommended adjustment:
Summer: Latitude − 5°
Winter: Latitude + 5°
Example:
Port-au-Prince (18.5°N)
Summer: 13.5°
Winter: 23.5°
Because the sun remains relatively high all year, only small adjustments are needed.
Mid-Latitudes (25°–50° Latitude)
Recommended adjustment:
Summer: Latitude − 15°
Winter: Latitude + 15°
Example:
Phoenix (33°N)
Summer: 18°
Winter: 48°
This range includes much of the United States, Europe, China, and Australia.
High Latitudes (>50° Latitude)
Recommended adjustment:
Summer: Latitude − 20°
Winter: Latitude + 20°
Example:
London (51.5°N)
Summer: 31.5°
Winter: 71.5°
At high latitudes, seasonal differences become much more dramatic.
Recommended Solar Panel Angles by Season
Latitude Summer Tilt Winter Tilt
10° 5° 15°
20° 15° 25°
30° 15° 45°
40° 25° 55°
50° 30° 70°
These values are practical starting points. For exact angles, use our Solar Panel Tilt Calculator.
The Two-Position Method: The Best Balance Between Effort and Performance
Most homeowners do not need monthly adjustments.
Changing your panel angle only twice per year captures approximately 90% of the benefit of frequent adjustments.
Northern Hemisphere
Summer angle: April through September
Winter angle: October through March
Southern Hemisphere
Summer angle: October through March
Winter angle: April through September
The exact switch date is not critical. Even changing your panels a few weeks earlier or later usually has little impact on annual production.
Real-World Energy Comparison
Example: 400 W panel in New York.
Configuration Estimated Annual Production
Flat Mount (0°) 380 kWh
Fixed Optimal Tilt (38°) 490 kWh
Seasonal Adjustment 540 kWh
Compared with a flat installation:
Fixed optimal tilt: about 29% more energy
Seasonal adjustment: about 42% more energy
For a 4 kW system (10 panels), seasonal adjustment may produce approximately 500 additional kWh per year, which can represent meaningful savings depending on local electricity rates.
Which Mounting Systems Allow Seasonal Adjustment?
Adjustable Ground Mounts
The easiest solution. Many allow quick angle changes by moving support legs.
Pole Mounts
Usually adjusted by loosening a bolt and selecting a new tilt angle.
Adjustable Roof Mounts
Available on some racking systems but less common and often harder to access safely.
RV and Boat Mounts
Many portable systems already include adjustable brackets.
Solar Trackers
Single-axis trackers automatically follow the sun and can increase production by approximately 15–25%, although they are significantly more expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I optimize for summer or winter?
Choose the season that matters most to your energy needs. Most homeowners optimize for annual production.
Can roof-mounted solar panels be adjusted?
Some can, but many flush-mounted systems use a fixed angle.
What if I can only use one tilt angle?
Use your annual optimal tilt angle. A good approximation is:
Annual Tilt ≈ Latitude × 0.87 + 3.1
Should I change my solar panel azimuth seasonally?
No. The panel direction remains the same year-round:
Face south in the Northern Hemisphere
Face north in the Southern Hemisphere
Do solar panels produce more electricity in winter because they're cooler?
Solar panels are more efficient at lower temperatures, but shorter days and lower sun angles usually result in lower overall winter production.
Conclusion
There is no single perfect solar panel angle for every season.
Use a flatter angle during summer.
Use a steeper angle during winter.
Use your annual optimal angle if adjustments are not possible.
For the best balance of simplicity and performance, adjust your panels twice per year.
Want exact angles for your location? Use our Solar Panel Tilt Calculator to calculate your ideal summer, winter, and year-round panel angles anywhere in the world. Then use the SolarAlign app to measure and set the angle on your physical solar panels.