Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in New York
New York, United States is at latitude 40.71°N. Here's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
38.5°
Summer Tilt
25.7°
Winter Tilt
55.7°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for New York
Jan
60.0°
Ideal: 61.0°
Feb
52.4°
Mar
40.7°
Apr
29.0°
May
20.4°
Jun
17.3°
Jul
20.4°
Aug
29.0°
Sep
40.7°
Oct
52.4°
Nov
60.0°
Ideal: 61.0°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 64.2°
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~657 kWh
At 38.5° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for New York
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 38.5° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 25.7° in summer and 55.7° in winter for up to 15% more annual energy.
- Monthly adjustment: Adjust tilt each month using the table above for maximum year-round production.
Solar Potential in the New York Metro Area
New York City averages approximately 4 peak sun hours daily, comparable to Germany — one of the world's leading solar markets. The Northeastern US climate produces four distinct seasons with significant winter cloud cover that reduces cold-season production. However, New York's long summer days (15 hours of daylight in June) generate strong summer output that offsets winter reductions.
New York State offers some of the strongest solar incentives in the country. The NY-Sun program provides upfront rebates that substantially reduce installation costs, and Con Edison offers net metering. New York City also has property tax abatements for solar installations. The combination of state and city incentives can reduce the net cost of solar by 30-50% beyond the federal ITC.
NYC's dense urban environment presents unique installation challenges. Many residential properties have flat roofs that accommodate ballasted solar arrays. Shading from adjacent buildings is a common concern, and some historic districts have preservation restrictions that affect solar installations. Multi-family apartment buildings face split-incentive challenges, but community solar programs provide alternatives for renters.
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
Does New York City get enough sun for solar?
NYC averages 4 peak sun hours — comparable to Germany. Net metering, the NY-Sun program, and federal tax credits make solar viable despite modest irradiance.
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 →