New solar panel light adopters may not be entirely up-to-date on how to properly angle new solar panels and why that matters. Of course, it’s ultimately a matter of drawing as much light from the sun as possible, even during overcast times, so we thought we’d introduce a few basics to those who have installed the latest in green energy technology. And for those who haven't used solar lighting in their latest project, consider this an opportunity to reflect if solar panel outdoor lights are perfect for your needs. We’ll skip the super-tech details and jump straight to the specifics.

How to Properly Angle Solar Panel Outdoor Lights

What’s the Best Angle of Direction for Solar Panels for LED Lights?

We’ll admit that solar isn’t perfect. Sometimes the sun doesn’t come out, and so you’re left wondering how long your lights might last in dark winters or overcast times. Solar power stored in a battery won’t last forever, but what we can promise is that if you angle your solar panels for your LED lights properly, you can maximize your potential power gains--almost like sending your lights to the gym for the most rigorous workout possible.

The trick is with angling your solar panels is that one answer isn’t universal for all. What angle you want with your solar panel outdoor lights is actually dependent on where you live as long as your panels are facing south. For instance, if you live in Southern California, home to Greenshine New Energy, you’re best off angling your panels around 33/34 degrees for maximal energy culling potential. Thankfully, these are solar panels for outdoor lights, so it’s not a matter of having a roof that supports that particular angle. Pointing the panels in any other direction will result in less energy gains--it just doesn’t make sense. Do your research online with some handy solar calculation tools and you can find the best angle for where you (or the panels) reside.

What Else is There to Know About Proper Solar Panel Angling?

Oddly enough, the states that receive the most solar power aren’t the sunniest! The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) rates some “cold” states as higher than California and Arizona! Cold weather does not equate to less light. In fact, white snow often times helps to reflect sunlight back onto the solar panels. The panels function more efficiently during winter, too! During the winter, it’s a strong idea to angle your solar panels for your streetlights lower than your latitude. Just be forewarned that reducing the tilt for the panel may cause build-up of snow, and we’re sure you know what that leads to. Snow is actually easy to remove from solar panels if they’re not angled properly to encourage it to slide off.

Keeping these small maintenance factors in mind can help your solar panel street lights last longer when the sun is hidden behind overcast clouds. If you’re still unsure of what the best angle might be for your panels, or if you’re thinking of finally making the jump to solar powered outdoor lights, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to assist. Remember, if you’re in a “cold” state, solar panels actually run more efficient and light tends to bounce around more than usual because of the white surface of the snow. It’s just another reason why solar is really catching on across the world--it can be used almost anywhere.