Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in Denver
locationPage.latitudeLineHere's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
37.7°
Summer Tilt
24.7°
Winter Tilt
54.7°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for Denver
Jan
60.0°
Ideal: 60.0°
Feb
51.5°
Mar
39.7°
Apr
28.0°
May
19.4°
Jun
16.3°
Jul
19.4°
Aug
28.0°
Sep
39.7°
Oct
51.5°
Nov
60.0°
Ideal: 60.0°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 63.2°
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~657 kWh
At 37.7° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for Denver
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 37.7° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 24.7° in summer and 54.7° in winter for up to 15% more annual energy.
- Monthly adjustment: Adjust tilt each month using the table above for maximum year-round production.
Solar Advantages of Denver's High Elevation
Denver is one of the best solar markets in the US — 300+ sunny days, 5+ peak sun hours, and Xcel Energy net metering. Denver's elevation (1,609 meters / 5,280 feet) provides a meaningful solar advantage: thinner atmosphere at high altitude reduces light scattering, delivering more direct-beam irradiance compared to sea-level locations at the same latitude.
Snow provides an additional benefit in the Denver area. Light, dry Colorado snow typically slides off tilted panels quickly, and snow on the ground reflects additional sunlight onto panels (albedo effect). Bifacial panels are particularly effective in this environment, capturing reflected light on their rear surface.
Xcel Energy offers net metering in Colorado, and the state has a renewable portfolio standard requiring 30% renewable energy by 2020. The combination of exceptional solar resource, favorable policies, and high electricity rates makes Denver one of the most attractive solar markets in the US.
Orientation Performance
Panel orientation significantly affects energy production. The table below shows relative output compared to true south-facing panels:
| Orientation | Relative Output |
|---|---|
| South | 100% |
| Southeast | 96% |
| Southwest | 96% |
| East | 85-90% |
| West | 85-90% |
| North | 60-75% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver good for solar?
Denver is one of the best solar markets in the US — 300+ sunny days, 5+ peak sun hours, and Xcel Energy net metering. High elevation provides strong irradiance.
How much energy can a 400W panel generate here?
With 4.5 peak sun hours per day, a properly aligned 400W panel could generate approximately 657 kWh per year.
Related Calculators
Solar Panel Tilt Calculator
Calculate optimal tilt for any latitude and month
Solar Panel Azimuth Calculator
Find the exact compass heading for your panels
Get precision alignment with SolarAlign Pro
Use your phone's sensors to align your panels to the exact angle calculated here.Learn more →