Solar Panels on a North-Facing Roof: Worth It in the UK?
Can you put solar panels on a north-facing roof in the UK? We cover expected output (40-60% of south-facing), when it works, when it doesn't, and better alternatives.
If your home has a north-facing roof, you have probably been told that solar panels are not worth it. Most guides on the subject write off north-facing installations in a single sentence. But the reality is more nuanced than that — especially in the UK, where a high proportion of our solar radiation is diffuse (scattered by clouds) rather than direct.
The short answer: a north-facing roof is generally not recommended for solar panels, but it is not always a dealbreaker. Whether it makes sense for your home depends on your roof pitch, budget, available alternatives, and how much electricity you use. Let us walk through when it can work, when it cannot, and what your options are.
How Much Do North-Facing Solar Panels Actually Produce?
Solar panel output depends on how much sunlight hits the panel surface over the course of a year. In the UK, a south-facing roof at the ideal 30-35 degree pitch is the benchmark — everything else is measured against it.
Here is how different orientations compare, based on PVGIS solar irradiance data for UK latitudes (51-56 degrees north):
| Roof orientation | Expected output vs south-facing | Typical annual yield (10 panels, ~4kW) |
|---|---|---|
| South (180 degrees) | 100% | ~3,200 kWh |
| South-east / South-west | 90-95% | ~2,900-3,050 kWh |
| East / West | 80-85% | ~2,550-2,700 kWh |
| North-east / North-west | 55-65% | ~1,750-2,100 kWh |
| North (0 degrees) | 40-60% | ~1,300-1,900 kWh |
That is a wide range for north-facing — 40% to 60%. The difference comes down almost entirely to roof pitch. A shallow north-facing roof (under 20 degrees) performs significantly better than a steep one (40 degrees or more). On a flat or near-flat roof, orientation barely matters at all.
When North-Facing Solar Panels CAN Work
There are genuine scenarios where installing solar on a north-facing roof makes financial sense:
Low roof pitch (under 20 degrees)
This is the biggest factor. A north-facing roof at 10-15 degrees loses only about 20-25% compared to south-facing at the same pitch. At that angle, panels receive a decent amount of diffuse light from all directions. Many bungalows, modern builds, and flat-roofed extensions fall into this category.
No other option available
If your home only has a north-facing roof — perhaps a mid-terrace with a single roof slope — then the choice is north-facing panels or no panels at all. Even at 50% of south-facing output, a 4kW system would generate around 1,600 kWh per year, saving roughly £400-500 annually at current electricity rates. That is still a reasonable return over 25 years.
Large roof area
If you have plenty of north-facing roof space, you can compensate for lower per-panel output by installing more panels. Where a south-facing home might need 10 panels, you might install 14-16 to achieve similar total output. The extra panels add cost, but with 0% VAT on residential solar, the economics can still stack up.
High electricity usage
Homes with high daytime electricity consumption — particularly those with heat pumps or EV chargers — benefit from any generation, even if it is reduced. Using solar electricity directly avoids paying 24-30p/kWh from the grid.
When North-Facing Solar Does NOT Make Sense
In several common scenarios, installing on a north-facing roof is genuinely not worth it:
Steep roof pitch (35 degrees or more)
A steep north-facing roof points panels almost entirely away from the sun's path. At 40-45 degrees pitch facing north, you are looking at just 40-45% of south-facing output. The payback period stretches beyond 15 years, which undermines the financial case.
Limited budget
If your budget only stretches to a small system (6-8 panels), the reduced output from a north-facing roof means longer payback and lower lifetime savings. That money might be better spent on insulation, a heat pump, or battery storage if you plan to add south-facing panels later.
Better alternatives exist
If you have a garage, outbuilding, or garden space that faces south, ground-mounted solar panels or a separate roof installation could deliver far better returns. Similarly, if you have a flat roof section, flat roof mounting systems with angled frames can tilt panels toward the south regardless of the roof's orientation.
Shading issues on top of north-facing
If your north-facing roof also suffers from shading — trees, neighbouring buildings, chimneys — the combined losses make solar unviable. Each factor compounds the output reduction.
Alternatives to North-Facing Roof Panels
If your main roof faces north but you still want solar, consider these options before writing it off:
Ground-mounted solar panels
Ground-mounted systems can be angled and oriented however you like. If you have a south-facing garden with enough space (roughly 20-30 square metres for a 4kW system), this is often the best alternative. Ground-mounted panels are permitted development if the array is under 9 square metres, or you can apply for planning permission for larger installations.
Flat roof with angled mounting frames
If you have a flat roof extension, garage, or dormer, angled mounting frames can tilt panels to face south at the optimal 30-35 degree angle. This effectively eliminates the orientation problem. The frames add a small amount to the installation cost but dramatically improve output.
East-west split on a dual-pitch roof
Many homes with a "north-facing" main roof actually have an east-west orientation overall. If you have roof space facing east or west, panels on those sides will produce 80-85% of south-facing output — a much better proposition than north. Read our guide on east-west roof solar panels for the full breakdown.
In-roof systems and solar tiles
If you are re-roofing anyway, in-roof solar panels or solar tiles integrate with the roof surface and can look more aesthetically pleasing. This does not solve the orientation problem, but it can make the installation more practical if planning permission is a concern (for example, in conservation areas).
The Role of Diffuse Light in the UK
One reason north-facing panels perform better in the UK than in sunnier countries is our weather. In southern Spain or Italy, most solar radiation is direct — it comes straight from the sun in a clear sky. In the UK, around 55-60% of annual solar radiation is diffuse, meaning it is scattered by clouds and comes from all directions.
Diffuse light hits north-facing panels almost as effectively as south-facing ones. This is why the gap between north and south in the UK (40-60%) is smaller than it would be in, say, southern France (where north-facing might only achieve 30-40% of south-facing output).
This does not make north-facing ideal — direct sunlight is still more productive, and summer months with clearer skies still favour south-facing panels heavily. But it does mean that north-facing panels in the UK are not as poor as some installers suggest.
Financial Analysis: North-Facing vs South-Facing
Let us compare the numbers for a 10-panel (4kW) system on a moderate-pitch roof (25 degrees):
| South-facing (25 deg) | North-facing (25 deg) | North-facing (15 deg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual generation | ~3,100 kWh | ~1,600 kWh | ~2,100 kWh |
| Self-consumption savings | ~£550-700/yr | ~£280-360/yr | ~£370-470/yr |
| SEG export income | ~£80-120/yr | ~£40-60/yr | ~£55-75/yr |
| Total annual benefit | ~£630-820/yr | ~£320-420/yr | ~£425-545/yr |
| System cost (0% VAT) | £5,500-7,000 | £5,500-7,000 | £5,500-7,000 |
| Payback period | 7-9 years | 13-18 years | 10-14 years |
| 25-year net savings | £10,000-14,000 | £2,500-4,500 | £5,500-8,000 |
The low-pitch north-facing scenario (15 degrees) is borderline viable — a 10-14 year payback is long but still delivers positive returns over the system's lifetime. The steeper pitch scenario is harder to justify financially unless electricity prices rise significantly.
What an MCS Installer Will Tell You
Any reputable MCS-certified installer will carry out a proper site survey before recommending a system. This includes:
- Measuring your exact roof pitch and orientation with a compass and inclinometer
- Assessing shading from nearby objects throughout the year
- Running a yield simulation using software like PVSol or PV*SOL
- Checking your roof structure can support the panels
- Advising on whether your roof is suitable or if alternatives are better
A good installer will be honest if your north-facing roof is not suitable. Be wary of any company that pushes ahead without a proper assessment — they may be more interested in making a sale than giving you the best advice.
Get quotes from multiple MCS-certified installers and compare their yield estimates. If one quote promises significantly higher output than the others, ask them to explain how they arrived at that figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put solar panels on a north-facing roof?
Yes, you physically can. Whether you should depends on your roof pitch. On a low-pitch roof (under 20 degrees), north-facing panels can produce 55-65% of south-facing output, which may still be financially viable. On a steep north-facing roof, the reduced output usually makes other options (ground-mounted, flat roof, east-west sides) a better choice.
How much less do north-facing solar panels produce?
North-facing panels in the UK typically produce 40-60% of what an equivalent south-facing installation would generate. The exact figure depends heavily on roof pitch — shallow pitches lose less than steep ones.
Are there grants for solar panels on north-facing roofs?
The 0% VAT on residential solar applies regardless of roof orientation. There is no additional grant specifically for north-facing installations. The Warm Homes Plan (replacing ECO4) may help low-income households but is not orientation-specific.
Should I get ground-mounted panels instead?
If you have a south-facing garden with enough space, ground-mounted panels will almost always outperform north-facing roof panels. They can be oriented and tilted optimally, and they are easier to maintain. However, they do require planning permission if the array exceeds 9 square metres.
The Bottom Line
North-facing solar panels are not ideal — that much is true. But "not ideal" does not always mean "not worth it." If you have a low-pitch north-facing roof, no other suitable space, and reasonable electricity usage, solar can still deliver positive returns over 25 years. The key is getting an honest assessment from qualified installers and comparing your options carefully.
Use our solar savings calculator to estimate what a system could generate on your roof, and compare MCS-certified installers in your area for accurate, site-specific quotes. If your roof really is not suitable, a good installer will tell you — and may suggest alternatives you had not considered.
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official MCS and Ofgem data and maintains relationships with MCS-certified installers across the UK.