Size.Solar

    Best solar panel angle in New York

    Start with 39° facing South for a fixed setup. Compare seasonal options, then confirm the result against your roof, shade, and local weather.

    Turn this angle into a roof plan

    Start with 39° South in New York, then verify the usable roof area and request installer options.

    1. Best fixed tilt & direction

    39°

    39° facing South. Set it once for the entire year.

    Planning basis: latitude and estimated annual solar production.

    2. Two adjustments / year

    Winter: 46° South

    Summer: 33° South

    Provides a 1.7% gain over the best fixed tilt.

    Planning basis: summer and winter production estimates.

    3. Four adjustments / year
    Summer25° South
    Autumn40° South
    Winter56° South
    Spring40° South

    Offers a 4.7% gain over the best fixed tilt.

    Planning basis: four seasonal production estimates.

    4. Twelve adjustments / year
    Jan56° South
    Feb56° South
    Mar48° South
    Apr41° South
    May34° South
    Jun25° South
    Jul25° South
    Aug25° South
    Sep34° South
    Oct41° South
    Nov48° South
    Dec56° South

    Achieves the maximum 4.7% gain over the best fixed tilt.

    Planning basis: twelve monthly production estimates.

    *Tilt angles are measured from horizontal. Each non-flat result includes the compass direction the panel faces. Gains are estimates based on modeling.

    Quote-ready tilt decision

    Give installers one fixed-angle target first

    Start the quote conversation with 39° South. Seasonal adjustment is only worth pricing if a supplier can show that roughly 4.7% extra production beats the cost, access risk, and warranty complexity of adjustable frames.

    Base quote

    39° South

    Best default for normal roof-mounted systems and the first number to send to installers.

    Adjustable option

    Winter: 46° South

    Summer: 33° South

    Four seasonal changes model about 4.7% gain. Monthly adjustment models about 4.7%.

    Installer checks

    Roof pitch, available rail angles, wind loading, waterproofing, access for cleaning, and whether adjustment affects warranty.

    Direction check

    In New York, the practical target is a south-facing array. Shade-free roof space, inverter sizing, and battery goals usually matter more than small angle differences.

    Adjustment payoff · 1 kW reference array

    Is changing the panel angle worth it in New York?

    Start with the fixed angle. Four seasonal changes model +60 kWh a year (+4.7%) for each 1 kW of panels. Changing the angle every month adds no modeled annual output beyond the seasonal strategy.

    These are latitude-based planning estimates, not a supplier quote. The comparison isolates panel angle; adjustable framing, labour, safe roof access, shade, soiling, and warranty terms can change the practical decision.

    Fixed tilt

    No angle changes

    Annual output / 1 kW
    1,267 kWh
    Extra vs fixed
    Baseline

    Twice yearly

    2 changes/year

    Annual output / 1 kW
    1,288 kWh
    Extra vs fixed
    +21 kWh (+1.7%)

    Seasonal

    4 changes/year

    Annual output / 1 kW
    1,327 kWh
    Extra vs fixed
    +60 kWh (+4.7%)

    Monthly

    12 changes/year

    Annual output / 1 kW
    1,327 kWh
    Extra vs fixed
    +60 kWh (+4.7%)
    View the 12-month output values

    Estimated monthly production in kWh for each 1 kW of panels.

    Monthly production values for fixed, seasonal, and monthly angle strategies
    MonthFixed tiltSeasonalMonthly
    Jan73 kWh80 kWh80 kWh
    Feb81 kWh89 kWh89 kWh
    Mar101 kWh101 kWh101 kWh
    Apr117 kWh117 kWh117 kWh
    May125 kWh125 kWh125 kWh
    Jun128 kWh141 kWh141 kWh
    Jul130 kWh143 kWh143 kWh
    Aug123 kWh135 kWh135 kWh
    Sep117 kWh117 kWh117 kWh
    Oct108 kWh108 kWh108 kWh
    Nov87 kWh87 kWh87 kWh
    Dec77 kWh84 kWh84 kWh

    Compare solar panel angles near New York

    See how the recommended fixed angle changes across nearby cities and latitudes.

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