Google found the output of their flat panels was cut in half after 15 months without a clean while rain alone was enough to keep their tilted solar panels pretty pristine.
Flat solar panel vs tilted.
An optimum tilt angle and orientation of your solar panels on a flat roof will ensure top energy production performance of your system.
Solar panels on a flat roof.
Photovoltaics produce power when the angle at which the sun s rays hit the panel surface the angle of incidence is small or when light strikes the panel as close to.
To keep panels clean on a flat roof it is recommended they be installed in racks that tilt them at an angle of at least 10 degrees so rain can effectively wash them clean.
The ideal orientation for a solar panel array is due north and the ideal tilt angle is the angle of your latitude e g.
Whether you are installing a solar panel on a flat roof or a pitched roof the output of the solar pv system would be increased by optimizing the tilt angle.
Axis tracker solar panels.
Installing your solar panels at the ideal tilt angle and orientation for your latitude ensures that your system generates as much electricity as possible for your location.
For example at this location in january the optimal angle of tilt is 59 for maximum solar power.
To tilt or not to tilt.
Solar panel tilt angle.
The array s tilt is the angle in degrees from horizontal.
It should also be noted that although the tracker can withstand those wind speeds the modules are stowed in a flat position when gusts exceed 60mph.
If the project is located in an area with high winds during daylight hours there will be production losses due to the modules being stowed.
In june it s best for the solar panels to be completely flat.
Most solar arrays are installed at a tilt.
For example in january at this location exposure on a flat tilt 0 panel will be 3 40 kwh m2 day.
Only top manufacturers give warranties on panels installed at an angle of fewer than two degrees.