Best Angle & Orientation For Solar Panels

In Summary: What You Need To Know About Solar Panel Angles & Direction

This is detailed guide and a 10-minute read, so here’s a quick-fire summary of what you need to know:

• The best angle to install solar panels is 30°
• The direction they should face if possible, is due south

If you’re able to install solar panels with a tilt angle of 30° and facing due south, you’ll maximise their output. 

For roofs not facing due south, the angle they should be installed at varies between 10°-40°. 

Roofs that are facing north are not suitable for installing solar panels!

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For those that have a solid single storey extension with a flat roof, this can be used to accommodate your full system, or just extra panels. Using adjustable mounts, you’ll be able get them fitted at the most optimal angle and direction (30° tilt and facing south).

You can use our solar panel tool here, which can determine the most suitable roof space to use for your solar panel installation.

Guide To Solar Panel Angles & Orientation

Why Angle & Orientation Matters

Buying the right solar panel system for your property means you’ll outlay the minimum amount of cash for maximum return in terms of electricity generated. 

Whilst the size of the system, type of inverter and capacity of your battery all have a bearing on how efficient this system is, so does both the angle of your solar panels and which direction they face.

Ensuring your solar panels are facing the right way and at the right angle means you’ll generate the most electricity: 

• Throughout the year - Electricity production will change dependant on the month, the right orientation and angle ensures energy production is at its maximum possible
• Throughout the day - Your panels will generate most of their electricity from 10am-4pm, so your solar panels need to be set in position to maximise these daily sunlight hours

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As you can see from the graph above, your roof angle and direction needs to be optimised for both daily sunlight hours, but the hours per month throughout the year too.

Want to analyse your roof to see if it’s worth investing in a system? Use our solar panel tool here. 

The Best Angle For Solar Panels

The best angle for solar panels is typically 30°. 

This is a general rule of thumb, and only 100% accurate for roof spaces that are facing due South.

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As you can see from the table above, the best angle for solar panels varies depending on exactly which way your roof faces. 

Whilst 30° would be the optimum angle for a roof facing due south, roofs facing in other directions (east or west) would be, on occasion, much more efficient with a tilt angle of 10°-40°.

To add to confusion, it also matters where in the UK you’re based. Different areas of the UK have different lengths of daily sunlight hours. 

Want to understand exactly what the best angle for your solar panels is? Use our solar panel tool, which will analyse your roof to determine the tilt angle your solar panels need to be installed at. 

The Best Direction / Orientation For Solar Panels

The best direction for solar panels to face is due south. If you’re able to couple that with the 30° tilt angle we’ve mentioned above, you’ll be close to optimum electricity production from your solar panels.  

However, depending on where in the UK you’re based, this may vary slightly. As you can see from the map below, the angle of your solar panels need to be best suited to what times and how many hours per day your solar panels will be producing energy: 

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Daily sunlight hours vary through the UK and of course, they do throughout the seasons too. 

Your solar panels will be producing over 3x the amount of electricity in peak months (May-July) in comparison to off-peak months (November-January). 

It’s important your solar panels orientation is set to maximise these peak months.

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Obviously the angle and orientation of your solar panels is limited by the roof space you have available. 

Our solar panel tool here can analyse your roof space to determine which areas of your roof will be most productive throughout the year.

Can I Install Solar Panels Facing North?

Yes, but they won’t produce much electricity. 

If your roof faces north, the opposite side of your property would face south. A south facing roof is typically the best direction to produce the maximum amount of electricity possible from your solar panels.

And if you have a flat roof, you’ll be able to angle and direct solar panels wherever you like, which we’ll discuss below. 

What’s The Best Angle For Flat Roof Solar Panels?

Installing solar panels on a flat roof is a great option for properties whereby:

One important consideration before installing solar panels on a flat roof is ensuring that the roof can support the weight. 

A typical solar panel system can weigh over 300 kg. This means that only modern single storey extensions are suitable for flat roof installations.

If we refer back to the table produced by the Energy Saving Trust, we’ll see that a flat roof actually gives homeowners a lot more flexibility. You’ll be able to set both pitch and orientation to the their most optimal positions using adjustable solar panel mounts: 

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Our solar panel tool can analyse your available roof space and determine exactly what angle and orientation should be used for maximum electricity production. 

Alternatively, you can contact one of our solar panel experts here, or read more about installing solar panels on flat roofs here. 

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