Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince, Haiti is at latitude 18.54°N. Here's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
19.2°
Summer Tilt
13.5°
Winter Tilt
23.5°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for Port-au-Prince
Jan
38.8°
Feb
30.3°
Mar
18.5°
Apr
6.8°
May
1.8°
Jun
4.9°
Jul
1.8°
Aug
6.8°
Sep
18.5°
Oct
30.3°
Nov
38.8°
Dec
42.0°
Peak Sun Hours
5.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~803 kWh
At 19.2° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for Port-au-Prince
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 19.2° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 13.5° in summer and 23.5° 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 Energy and Grid Independence in Haiti
Port-au-Prince enjoys a tropical climate with very strong year-round solar irradiance, receiving approximately 5.5 peak sun hours daily with minimal seasonal variation. At 18.5°N, the city's position near the equator means the sun's arc changes relatively little throughout the year, making fixed-tilt systems highly effective without seasonal adjustment.
Frequent power outages and grid instability in Haiti make solar-plus-battery systems particularly valuable. Many Port-au-Prince residents and businesses pair solar panels with battery storage to maintain electricity during grid failures, which can last hours or days. The economic case for solar in Port-au-Prince is driven as much by energy reliability as by long-term electricity cost savings.
Flat concrete roofs are common in Port-au-Prince, which are well-suited for solar using tilt-mounted racks. The region has minimal snow concerns and mild temperatures that help panels maintain efficiency. Hurricane season (June-November) requires storm-rated mounting hardware. The small seasonal tilt variation (optimal summer: 3.9°, winter: 35.7°) means a fixed 19.2° tilt captures most available energy year-round.
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
What is the best solar panel angle in Port-au-Prince?
The optimal year-round fixed tilt is 19.2°, facing south.
Should I adjust my solar panels monthly in Haiti?
Monthly adjustments can increase annual production by 5-15%. Summer months (May-August) need nearly flat panels (0-7°), while winter months (November-February) benefit from steeper tilts (30-42°).
Can solar panels face east or west in Port-au-Prince?
Yes. East- or west-facing panels typically produce 85-90% of south-facing output. This can be useful for matching production to morning or evening energy usage.
How much energy can a 400W panel generate here?
With 5.5 peak sun hours per day, a properly aligned 400W panel could generate approximately 803 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 →