The short answer
In the UK, south-facing panels generate the most electricity over a year, so for pure output, south at a tilt of roughly 30 to 40 degrees is ideal. But it is not the only good option. East and west-facing roofs still produce a worthwhile amount — commonly in the region of 80 to 85% of a south-facing array — and an east-west split (panels on both slopes) spreads generation across the morning and late afternoon rather than concentrating it at midday. That flatter, longer curve can actually match your home's usage better, raising self-consumption, especially if no one is home at lunchtime. North-facing is the weakest and rarely worthwhile on its own. So the best orientation depends on whether you are chasing maximum generation (south) or the best match to when you use electricity (often east-west).
The standard advice is 'face south', and for total generation that is right. But for many homes the more useful question is when the electricity arrives, not just how much. Here is how the orientations compare on both counts.
Orientation at a glance
- Best for total outputSouth
- Ideal tilt (UK)~30–40 degrees
- East or west alone~80–85% of south
- Best usage matchOften east-west split
- WeakestNorth-facing
How orientation affects output
The UK sits at a northern latitude, so the sun tracks across the southern sky. A south-facing array catches the most sun through the day and over the year, which is why it produces the highest total generation. The optimal tilt to capture that is roughly 30 to 40 degrees, close to many UK roof pitches, though the array still performs well across a range of angles.
Turning away from south reduces total output, but less sharply than people expect. East or west-facing panels typically generate around 80 to 85% of what an equivalent south-facing array would, because they still receive strong sun for part of the day. North-facing is the genuine weak point, receiving little direct sun in the UK, so it is rarely worth installing on a north slope alone.
| Orientation | Relative annual output | Generation pattern |
|---|---|---|
| South | Highest (reference) | Peaks at midday |
| South-east / south-west | Slightly below south | Broad peak, shifted |
| East | ~80–85% of south | Morning-weighted |
| West | ~80–85% of south | Afternoon-weighted |
| East-west split | Combined, broad curve | Morning + late afternoon |
| North | Lowest | Weak, rarely worthwhile |
Indicative relative figures for guidance. Sources: Energy Saving Trust.
Total output versus matching your usage
Maximum generation is not the same as maximum benefit. A south-facing array produces a tall peak around midday, but if your home is empty then, much of that peak is exported cheaply rather than used. An east-west split produces a flatter curve — a rise in the morning and another in the late afternoon — which often lines up better with when households actually use electricity, around breakfast and the evening.
That better match raises self-consumption, the share of your own generation you use rather than export. Because using your own electricity saves the full import price while exporting earns only the lower export rate, a slightly lower total output that you use more of can be worth as much as, or more than, a higher output you mostly export. So east-west is not a compromise to settle for — for some homes it is genuinely the better fit.
How to choose for your roof
Start with what your roof offers, since you usually cannot change its orientation. If you have a south-facing slope, it is the strongest single choice for total generation, particularly if you can use the midday output or store it in a battery. If your roof runs east-west, do not be put off — splitting panels across both slopes still generates well and can suit your usage pattern nicely. A purely north-facing roof is the one case where solar is hard to justify on output grounds alone.
Tilt matters less than people fear: most UK roof pitches are close enough to optimal that the difference is modest, and a flatter or steeper roof still performs respectably. Shading is often a bigger factor than a few degrees of orientation, so keeping panels clear of chimneys, trees and dormers usually matters more than chasing exactly south.
An MCS-certified installer can model the expected generation for each available roof slope and overlay it on your daily usage, showing not just total output but how much you would actually use. That turns the orientation question into concrete numbers for your home. For maximum generation, favour south; for the best match to when you use electricity, an east-west split is often the smarter choice — and either beats leaving a suitable roof bare.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar panels have to face south in the UK?
No. South gives the most total generation, but east or west-facing panels still produce around 80 to 85% of a south array, and an east-west split spreads output across the morning and late afternoon. That can match your usage better and raise self-consumption. Only north-facing roofs are generally not worth it on output grounds.
Is east-west solar better than south-facing?
It can be, depending on when you use electricity. South gives the highest total output but peaks at midday. An east-west split produces a flatter curve over morning and late afternoon, which often matches household demand better and raises self-consumption. If your home is empty at midday, east-west may deliver more usable value than south.
What is the best angle for solar panels in the UK?
Roughly 30 to 40 degrees of tilt captures the most sun over a UK year, which is close to many roof pitches. Output stays good across a range of angles, so most roofs perform well without modification. Shading and orientation usually matter more than getting the tilt exactly optimal.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific home. They are guidance, not a quotation or guaranteed saving.