A solar panel in a school in Oregon needs to be angled to maximize annual energy capture. The optimal tilt angle (in degrees) is given by:

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:29:29 +0000

Optimizing Solar Energy at Oregon Schools: How to Tilt School Rooftop Solar Panels for Maximum Annual Output In an era of growing sustainability efforts, schools across Oregon are turning to solar energy to reduce electricity costs, teach students about renewable technology, and support climate goals. One key factor in maximizing the energy output of solar panels installed on school rooftops is proper angular alignment—specifically, their tilt angle. Contrary to popular belief, the best tilt isn’t universal for all locations; it depends on your latitude to capture the most sunlight throughout the year. ### Why the Angle Matters for Solar Efficiency Solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into usable energy. The amount of energy they produce depends heavily on how directly the sun hits the panel’s surface. If panels are flat or at an incorrect angle, sunlight strikes the surface at shallow angles, reducing efficiency—especially during winter months when the sun is lower in the sky.