Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in Chicago
Chicago, United States is at latitude 41.88°N. Here's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
39.5°
Summer Tilt
26.9°
Winter Tilt
56.9°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for Chicago
Jan
60.0°
Ideal: 62.2°
Feb
53.6°
Mar
41.9°
Apr
30.2°
May
21.6°
Jun
18.4°
Jul
21.6°
Aug
30.2°
Sep
41.9°
Oct
53.6°
Nov
60.0°
Ideal: 62.2°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 65.3°
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~657 kWh
At 39.5° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for Chicago
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 39.5° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 26.9° in summer and 56.9° in winter for up to 15% more annual energy.
- Monthly adjustment: Adjust tilt each month using the table above for maximum year-round production.
Winter and Solar Production in Chicago
Chicago receives approximately 3.5-4 peak sun hours daily, placing it below the US solar average. The Great Lakes climate produces cold, cloudy winters with significant snow cover and short daylight hours that substantially reduce winter production. However, Illinois has developed exceptionally strong solar policies that make solar economically viable despite modest irradiance.
Illinois's Adjustable Block Program and Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) market provide significant additional revenue streams for solar owners beyond net metering savings. ComEd offers net metering, and the state's renewable portfolio standard supports continued solar growth. The combination of SREC income, net metering, and federal incentives can produce attractive returns even in Chicago's climate.
Snow cover on panels is a temporary winter consideration. Panels at the optimal winter tilt of approximately 48° shed snow relatively quickly — dark panels absorb sunlight and melt snow faster than the surrounding roof. Chicago homes typically have pitched roofs with asphalt shingles, compatible with standard mounting. Wind loads are higher than in coastal areas and should be factored into racking specifications.
Orientation Performance
Panel orientation significantly affects energy production. The table below shows relative output compared to true south-facing panels:
| Orientation | Relative Output |
|---|---|
| South | 100% |
| South-East | 96% |
| South-West | 96% |
| East | 85-90% |
| West | 85-90% |
| North | 60-75% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is solar worth it in Chicago?
Chicago averages 3.5-4 peak sun hours (below national average). However, Illinois has strong SREC markets and net metering that significantly improve solar economics.
How much energy can a 400W panel generate here?
With 4.5 peak sun hours per day, a properly aligned 400W panel could generate approximately 657 kWh per year.
Related Calculators
Solar Panel Tilt Calculator
Calculate optimal tilt for any latitude and month
Solar Panel Azimuth Calculator
Find the exact compass heading for your panels
Get exact numbers with the SolarAlign app
Use your phone to align panels in real-time with live sensor feedback.Learn more →