Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in Portland
locationPage.latitudeLineHere's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
42.7°
Summer Tilt
30.5°
Winter Tilt
60.5°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for Portland
Jan
60.0°
Ideal: 65.8°
Feb
57.2°
Mar
45.5°
Apr
33.8°
May
25.2°
Jun
22.1°
Jul
25.2°
Aug
33.8°
Sep
45.5°
Oct
57.2°
Nov
60.0°
Ideal: 65.8°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 69.0°
Peak Sun Hours
3.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~511 kWh
At 42.7° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for Portland
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 42.7° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 30.5° in summer and 60.5° 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 Considerations in the Pacific Northwest
Portland receives approximately 3.5 peak sun hours daily, placing it below the national average for solar irradiance. The Pacific Northwest climate features significant cloud cover from November through March, with frequent rain and overcast conditions that reduce winter production substantially. However, long summer days (16+ hours of daylight in June) partially compensate.
Portland General Electric and Pacific Power both offer net metering, and Oregon has a renewable portfolio standard that supports solar adoption. Oregon also offers a state tax credit for solar installations. The combination of state and federal incentives makes Portland solar economically viable despite the region's modest solar resource.
Moss and lichen growth on panels can be an issue in Portland's damp climate. Rain helps clean panels naturally, but shaded or low-tilt panels may accumulate biological growth that reduces efficiency. Tree shading from the region's abundant evergreen and deciduous trees requires careful site assessment.
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
Does Portland get enough sun for solar?
Portland has ~3.5 peak sun hours but long summer days partially compensate. Net metering and Oregon's renewable incentives make solar worthwhile despite cloud cover.
How much energy can a 400W panel generate here?
With 3.5 peak sun hours per day, a properly aligned 400W panel could generate approximately 511 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 →