Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in Philadelphia
locationPage.latitudeLineHere's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
37.9°
Summer Tilt
25.0°
Winter Tilt
55.0°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for Philadelphia
Jan
60.0°
Ideal: 60.3°
Feb
51.7°
Mar
40.0°
Apr
28.2°
May
19.6°
Jun
16.5°
Jul
19.6°
Aug
28.2°
Sep
40.0°
Oct
51.7°
Nov
60.0°
Ideal: 60.3°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 63.4°
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~657 kWh
At 37.9° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for Philadelphia
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 37.9° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 25.0° in summer and 55.0° 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 Energy Potential in Philadelphia
Philadelphia receives approximately 4 peak sun hours daily with a moderate climate that supports viable residential solar. The mid-Atlantic location at 39.95°N produces four distinct seasons with adequate solar resource for cost-effective systems, particularly with state and federal incentives.
PECO offers net metering for Philadelphia solar customers, and Pennsylvania has a renewable portfolio standard that supports solar adoption. The state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard requires increasing renewable energy generation, supporting the long-term solar market.
Philadelphia's dense urban fabric means roof space and shading are key considerations. The city's older housing stock includes many row homes with flat or low-pitched roofs, which can work well for solar with proper mounting. Philadelphia's growing solar market is supported by community solar programs and local installer networks.
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 Philadelphia good for solar?
Philadelphia averages ~4 peak sun hours with net metering through PECO. PA's renewable portfolio standard and federal incentives make solar viable.
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 →