Fixed tilt
No angle changes
- Annual output / 1 kW
- 1,408 kWh
- Extra vs fixed
- Baseline
Size.Solar
Best solar panel angle in San José
Start with 8° 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 8° South in San José, then verify the usable roof area and request installer options.
1. Best fixed tilt & direction
8°
8° facing South. Set it once for the entire year.
Planning basis: latitude and estimated annual solar production.
2. Two adjustments / year
Winter: 15° South
Summer: 2° South
Provides a 1.6% gain over the best fixed tilt.
Planning basis: summer and winter production estimates.
3. Four adjustments / year
Summer6° North
Autumn9° South
Winter26° South
Spring9° South
Offers a 4.8% gain over the best fixed tilt.
Planning basis: four seasonal production estimates.
4. Twelve adjustments / year
Jan26° South
Feb26° South
Mar17° South
Apr10° South
May3° South
Jun6° North
Jul6° North
Aug6° North
Sep3° South
Oct10° South
Nov17° South
Dec26° South
Achieves the maximum 4.8% 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.
Quick estimate — not a final quote
Good for a quick comparison. For a quote, check your roof, shade, and local weather in a project.
Quote-ready tilt decision
Give installers one fixed-angle target first
Start the quote conversation with 8° South. Seasonal adjustment is only worth pricing if a supplier can show that roughly 4.8% extra production beats the cost, access risk, and warranty complexity of adjustable frames.
Base quote
8° South
Best default for normal roof-mounted systems and the first number to send to installers.
Adjustable option
Winter: 15° South
Summer: 2° South
Four seasonal changes model about 4.8% gain. Monthly adjustment models about 4.8%.
Installer checks
Roof pitch, available rail angles, wind loading, waterproofing, access for cleaning, and whether adjustment affects warranty.
Direction check
In San José, 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 San José?
Start with the fixed angle. Four seasonal changes model +67 kWh a year (+4.8%) 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.
Twice yearly
2 changes/year
- Annual output / 1 kW
- 1,431 kWh
- Extra vs fixed
- +23 kWh (+1.6%)
Seasonal
4 changes/year
- Annual output / 1 kW
- 1,475 kWh
- Extra vs fixed
- +67 kWh (+4.8%)
Monthly
12 changes/year
- Annual output / 1 kW
- 1,475 kWh
- Extra vs fixed
- +67 kWh (+4.8%)
View the 12-month output values
Estimated monthly production in kWh for each 1 kW of panels.
| Month | Fixed tilt | Seasonal | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81 kWh | 89 kWh | 89 kWh |
| Feb | 90 kWh | 99 kWh | 99 kWh |
| Mar | 112 kWh | 112 kWh | 112 kWh |
| Apr | 130 kWh | 130 kWh | 130 kWh |
| May | 139 kWh | 139 kWh | 139 kWh |
| Jun | 142 kWh | 156 kWh | 156 kWh |
| Jul | 145 kWh | 159 kWh | 159 kWh |
| Aug | 136 kWh | 150 kWh | 150 kWh |
| Sep | 130 kWh | 130 kWh | 130 kWh |
| Oct | 120 kWh | 120 kWh | 120 kWh |
| Nov | 97 kWh | 97 kWh | 97 kWh |
| Dec | 85 kWh | 94 kWh | 94 kWh |
Compare solar panel angles near San José
See how the recommended fixed angle changes across nearby cities and latitudes.
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