Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in San Francisco
locationPage.latitudeLineHere's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
36.0°
Summer Tilt
22.8°
Winter Tilt
52.8°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for San Francisco
Jan
58.1°
Feb
49.5°
Mar
37.8°
Apr
26.0°
May
17.5°
Jun
14.3°
Jul
17.5°
Aug
26.0°
Sep
37.8°
Oct
49.5°
Nov
58.1°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 61.2°
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~657 kWh
At 36.0° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for San Francisco
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 36.0° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 22.8° in summer and 52.8° 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 Performance in San Francisco's Microclimates
San Francisco's solar resource is surprisingly strong despite its reputation for fog. The city averages over 5 peak sun hours daily thanks to afternoon clarity that compensates for morning fog. The famous Karl the Fog pattern — fog rolling in overnight and burning off by early afternoon — means panels produce most of their energy between noon and sunset.
San Francisco's microclimates create significant neighborhood-to-neighborhood variation in solar potential. The Sunset and Richmond districts near the ocean experience more fog and wind, while areas like Potrero Hill, Noe Valley, and Bernal Heights enjoy more sun exposure. A professional site assessment should account for local microclimate patterns.
The city's dense urban environment means roof space is often constrained and shading from neighboring buildings is a common challenge. Many San Francisco homes have flat or low-slope roofs that allow flexible panel orientation. PG&E's net metering program, combined with California's strong solar incentives, supports solar adoption.
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 fog affect solar panels in San Francisco?
Coastal fog (Karl the Fog) reduces morning production but typically clears by early afternoon. San Francisco still averages 5+ peak sun hours annually.
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 →