What is Roof Orientation?
The compass direction your roof faces, which affects how much solar energy your panels can capture.
Quick Answer
In the UK, south-facing roofs are ideal for solar, generating the maximum annual output. Southeast or southwest-facing roofs produce about 95% as much. East or west-facing roofs produce about 80–85% — still very viable. Many UK installers now recommend east-west split installations on suitable roofs, as they spread generation more evenly across the day. North-facing roofs in the UK are generally not recommended.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Roof Orientation Explained
Roof orientation (or azimuth) is the compass direction that a roof surface faces. For solar panels in the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing roofs receive the most sunlight over the course of a year. However, east- and west-facing roofs still receive 80–90% of the energy of a south-facing roof. North-facing roofs receive significantly less and are generally not suitable for solar panels. The optimal orientation can vary depending on electricity usage patterns.
How Does Roof Orientation Work in the UK?
In the UK, south-facing roofs are ideal for solar, generating the maximum annual output. Southeast or southwest-facing roofs produce about 95% as much. East or west-facing roofs produce about 80–85% — still very viable. Many UK installers now recommend east-west split installations on suitable roofs, as they spread generation more evenly across the day. North-facing roofs in the UK are generally not recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install solar panels on an east or west-facing roof?
Yes. East and west-facing roofs produce 80–85% as much as south-facing. An east-west split can even be advantageous as it generates power more evenly throughout the day.
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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.