Solar Panel Angle Guide
Solar Panel Angle in Sacramento
Sacramento, United States is at latitude 38.58°N. Here's the optimal solar panel tilt and orientation for maximum energy production.
Year-Round Tilt
36.7°
Summer Tilt
23.6°
Winter Tilt
53.6°
Face
South
180° azimuth
Monthly Optimal Tilts for Sacramento
Jan
58.9°
Feb
50.3°
Mar
38.6°
Apr
26.9°
May
18.3°
Jun
15.1°
Jul
18.3°
Aug
26.9°
Sep
38.6°
Oct
50.3°
Nov
58.9°
Dec
60.0°
Ideal: 62.0°
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Average daily solar insolation
Annual Production (400W panel)
~657 kWh
At 36.7° tilt, facing South
Solar Panel Recommendations for Sacramento
- Fixed mount: Set your panels at 36.7° tilt, facing South (180° azimuth).
- Seasonal adjustment: Tilt to 23.6° in summer and 53.6° 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 in California's Capital Region
Sacramento receives approximately 5+ peak sun hours daily with over 260 sunny days per year, placing it among the better solar markets in California. The Central Valley climate produces hot, dry summers and mild, foggy winters. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 38°C, which does reduce panel efficiency, but the abundance of sunlight more than compensates.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) offers some of the most favorable solar policies in California. SMUD provides net metering, a feed-in tariff option, and solar rebates for residential customers. The combination of strong solar resource and excellent utility policies makes Sacramento one of the most cost-effective solar markets in the state.
Sacramento's housing stock is dominated by single-family homes with composite shingle roofs — ideal for solar mounting. Many newer communities in the Sacramento region incorporate solar as a standard feature. Summer heat means ensuring adequate airflow beneath panels is important for maintaining efficiency. The region's flat topography means minimal terrain-related shading concerns.
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 Sacramento good for solar?
Yes. Sacramento averages 5+ peak sun hours with hot, sunny summers and SMUD's excellent net metering and solar incentive programs.
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 →