South-facing roofs are best, but east and west roofs only make around 15 to 20% less. Here is how direction, angle, shade, flat roofs and planning rules affect whether solar will work for you.
The short answer
Most UK roofs that face anywhere from east, through south, to west can take solar panels. South is best. East or west facing roofs make around 15 to 20% less electricity than south facing ones, according to the Energy Saving Trust, which still makes them well worth considering. North facing roofs are not recommended.
Which way your roof faces
- South: the most electricity over the year.
- South-east or south-west: very close to south.
- East or west: around 15 to 20% less over the year. East roofs make more in the morning and west roofs more in the evening, which can suit households who are out in the middle of the day.
- East and west together: many homes put panels on both sides. This spreads the electricity across the day, which can mean you use more of it yourself.
- North: usually not worth it. If part of your roof faces another direction, an installer can check whether panels would work there instead.
You can see how direction changes the numbers in our solar savings calculator.
The angle of your roof
Most pitched roofs in the UK are at a good angle for solar. Steeper or shallower roofs lose a little, but usually not much. One useful point from the Energy Saving Trust: panels tilted at 15 degrees or more are cleaned by the rain, so they need little or no cleaning.
Shade
Shade can cut how much your panels make, so it is worth checking as carefully as the direction your roof faces. Trees, chimneys, dormer windows and nearby buildings can all cut how much your panels make. Because panels are wired together, shade on one panel can drag down others too.
A good installer will check the shading on your roof at different times of year and design around it, for example by leaving shaded areas empty or using equipment that lets each panel work on its own. The shading should be reflected in the written performance estimate they give you.
Flat roofs
Flat roofs are fine for solar. The panels are usually fixed on frames that tilt them up towards the sun, which helps them make more electricity and lets the rain clean them. On a flat roof the frames can face south whichever way the house faces.
Under the planning rules in England, panels on a flat roof normally must not stick up more than 600mm above the highest part of the roof without planning permission.
Tiles, slate and older roofs
Panels can be fitted to most roof coverings, including concrete and clay tiles and slate. Fixing methods differ, so ask your installer how they will fix the panels and keep the roof watertight. Two things to sort out first:
- Roof condition: panels last 25 years or more. If your roof needs work soon, do it before the panels go on, as taking them off and putting them back later costs money.
- Roof strength: panels add weight. Your installer should check the roof can carry it and use the right fixings. On older or unusual roofs they may ask for a structural check.
Some installers also offer mesh around the edge of the panels to stop pigeons nesting underneath. If birds are common where you live, it is worth asking about.
Planning permission
Most homes in England don’t need planning permission for roof panels, as long as they stay within the “permitted development” limits. On a pitched roof, for example, panels must not stick out more than 200mm from the roof slope or sit higher than the highest part of the roof (not counting the chimney).
The rules for homes in England were updated in late August 2026, with a 12-month transition. The changes allow larger installations in more places on houses. Different rules apply if you live in a listed building, a conservation area or a World Heritage Site, and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules. See our guide to planning permission for solar, and if in doubt, check with your council before you sign.
What to do next
Want a number for your own home? Try our solar savings calculator, or answer a few quick questions below and we’ll match you with an installer who covers your area. It’s free and there’s no obligation.