Solar Panel Angle & Power Simulator
Tilt a solar panel, move the sun across the sky and add clouds to see the power through the day.
Drag the panel's edge to tilt it towards the sun, slide the time of day, and add clouds. See how much power the panel makes.
About the Solar Panel Angle & Power Simulator
Free solar panel angle & power simulator. Tilt a solar panel, move the sun across the sky and add clouds to see the power through the day. Drag, change the sliders and see the result live. No sign-up, works on phone and computer. Built for engineering, the solar panel angle & power simulator runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Tilt a solar panel, move the sun across the sky and add clouds to see the power through the day. Use it to explore engineering ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Solar Panel Angle & Power Simulator
- Use the controls to change Time of day, Panel tilt (− east, + west), Cloud cover, Panel area, Panel. The simulation reacts instantly.
- Pick an option such as Fixed tilt, Sun tracking to switch modes or load an example.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Tilt the panel to face the sun at 9:00.
- Compare a fixed panel with a tracking one for the energy today.
- Add 80% cloud cover.
Key ideas you can learn
- Output depends on the cosine of the angle between the sun and the panel's normal.
- A panel facing the sun gets the most light.
- Clouds cut the light but do not stop it.
- Tracking panels collect more energy across the day.
Where this is used in the real world
Solar farms and roof panels are placed and angled with exactly these calculations.
Who is this simulation for?
Engineering and technology students, makers, robotics clubs and teachers of design and technology. It gives a hands-on feel for how machines behave before you build a real one.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best angle for a solar panel?
The angle that points it at the sun for the most hours. Sun-tracking panels follow it during the day.
How much power does a panel make?
Roughly 1000 W/m² × area × efficiency × cosine of the angle to the sun.
Is the Solar Panel Angle & Power Simulator free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Solar Panel Angle & Power Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.