Which Way Should Solar Panels Face in the UK?
Solar panels in the UK should ideally face south, pitched at 30–40°. A south-facing roof captures the most sunlight throughout the day. But east and west roofs still produce around 85–88% of a south roof's output and remain worthwhile for most UK homes.
Quick Answer
South-facing is optimal in the UK. East and west produce 85–88% of south. South-east or south-west produce 95%+. North-facing produces 60–70% and is usually not recommended. Roof pitch between 30° and 40° maximises annual yield.
Solar panel orientation chart (UK)
| Orientation | % of optimal yield | Typical annual output (4kWp) |
|---|---|---|
| South | 100% | 3,400–4,200 kWh |
| South-East / South-West | 95–98% | 3,200–4,100 kWh |
| East / West | 85–88% | 2,900–3,700 kWh |
| North-East / North-West | 70–80% | 2,400–3,400 kWh |
| North | 60–70% | 2,000–2,900 kWh |
Based on MCS MIS 3002 yield estimates for central England at 35° pitch.
What roof pitch is best?
The optimal roof pitch for UK solar panels is between 30° and 40°. Most modern UK houses are built with roof pitches in this range, which is why the UK is well suited to rooftop solar.
- 0° (flat roof): ~88% of optimal, panels should be mounted on A-frames at 10–15°
- 15°: ~95% of optimal
- 30–40°: 100% (optimal)
- 50°: ~97%
- 60°: ~92%
- 90° (vertical wall): ~60%, rare but feasible
See our flat-roof solar panels guide for options with shallow or flat roofs.
East-west split arrays
Many UK homes have east-west roofs. Installing panels on both slopes, an east-west split array, produces generation that is spread more evenly across the day rather than peaking at midday. This can actually improve self-consumption and battery utilisation compared to a south-only system, because the generation curve better matches household demand.
A 50/50 east-west split typically produces around 80–85% of a south-facing system, but with better load-matching for most UK households.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can solar panels face north?
Technically yes, but it is rarely worthwhile. North-facing panels produce around 60–70% of a south-facing system. Payback periods extend significantly and most installers will advise against it.
Are east-facing solar panels worth it?
Yes. East-facing panels produce around 85–88% of a south-facing system, making them one of the best alternatives to south. East-facing panels generate more in the morning, which suits homes with morning-heavy electricity use.
What is the best angle for UK solar panels?
Between 30° and 40°, which is close to the UK's latitude. Most UK houses naturally fall within this range, so panels typically use the existing roof pitch without modification.
Do you need a south-facing roof for solar panels?
No. South is ideal, but east and west roofs produce 85–88% of the output and remain financially viable. Even south-east and south-west roofs produce 95%+ of a pure south-facing system.
How does shading affect orientation?
Shading from trees, chimneys, or other buildings can reduce output significantly. Power optimisers or microinverters help mitigate this. Sometimes a less-optimal orientation with no shading outperforms a perfect south orientation with morning tree shade.
Related Guides
Flat Roof Solar Panels
Flat roof solar: costs, mounting systems, east-west layouts, and planning.
Solar Panel Output
How much electricity solar panels produce by system size in the UK.
How Solar Panels Work
Plain-English guide to solar PV technology.
Do Panels Need Direct Sun?
Panels generate from diffuse daylight, not just direct sunshine.
Sources
- MCS, MIS 3002 PV Yield Calculation, mcscertified.com
- European Commission, PVGIS Tool, re.jrc.ec.europa.eu
Last updated: June 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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