Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in Washington
locationPage.latitudeLineHere's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
36.9°
Summer Tilt
23.9°
Winter Tilt
53.9°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for Washington
Jan
59.2°
Feb
50.6°
Mar
38.9°
Apr
27.2°
May
18.6°
Jun
15.5°
Jul
18.6°
Aug
27.2°
Sep
38.9°
Oct
50.6°
Nov
59.2°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 62.4°
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~657 kWh
At 36.9° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for Washington
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 36.9° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 23.9° in summer and 53.9° 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 in the Nation's Capital
Washington DC averages 4.5 peak sun hours daily with a strong SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) market that significantly improves solar economics. The District's latitude of 38.9°N produces meaningful seasonal variation in solar production, with summer substantially outperforming winter.
The District of Columbia has one of the strongest SREC markets in the country, driven by the city's renewable portfolio standard requiring 100% renewable electricity by 2032. PEPCO offers net metering, and the combination of strong SREC prices and federal tax incentives makes DC one of the most attractive solar markets on the East Coast.
DC's dense urban environment means installation considerations include roof access, structural integrity of older buildings, and shading from neighboring structures. Rowhouse roofs are often well-suited for solar, particularly those with flat or south-facing roof planes.
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 DC good for solar?
DC averages 4.5 peak sun hours with strong SREC market and net metering through PEPCO. The District also has a renewable portfolio standard that drives solar adoption.
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 →