Can You Install Solar on a North Facing Roof in the UK?
One of the most common things homeowners hear when researching solar panels is:
“You need a south-facing roof.”
And while there is definitely some truth to that, the reality is a bit more nuanced than many websites make out.
Because yes — south-facing roofs are usually the most efficient option for solar panels in the UK.
But no — that does not automatically mean roofs that face the north are unsuitable.
In fact, some north-facing roofs can still make financial sense for solar. Others cannot. It depends entirely on the roof, the property, the shading, the pitch, and the homeowner’s electricity usage.
This is one of those situations where the honest answer is:
sometimes.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- whether solar panels can be installed on a north-facing roof
- what MCS guidelines say
- how much generation you might lose
- when north-facing solar can still work well
- and when it probably is not worth doing
Can you install solar panels on a north-facing roof in the UK?
Yes — you absolutely can install solar panels on a north-facing roof in the UK.
There is:
- no law preventing it
- no planning rule banning it
- and no MCS rule saying solar panels must face south
However, north-facing solar panels will usually produce noticeably less electricity than panels facing south.
That is the key trade-off.
The reason south-facing roofs are generally preferred is because they receive more direct sunlight throughout the day in the UK. North-facing roofs receive less direct sunlight and rely more heavily on ambient daylight and diffuse light.
But importantly, “less efficient” does not mean “useless”.
That distinction matters.
Modern solar panels are significantly better in low-light conditions than they used to be, which means some north-facing systems can still generate worthwhile amounts of electricity — especially under the right conditions.
Why are south-facing roofs usually recommended for solar?
The UK sits in the northern hemisphere.
That means the sun tracks mainly through the southern part of the sky throughout the day.
Because of this, south-facing solar panels receive the highest overall sun exposure over the course of a year.
Generally speaking:
- south-facing roofs produce the highest annual generation
- south-east and south-west roofs still perform very well
- east/west systems are often perfectly viable
- north-facing roofs are usually the least productive orientation
That said, roof direction is only one piece of the puzzle. Pitch, shading, roof size and electricity usage can all dramatically affect whether solar makes sense financially.
What is the ideal roof angle for solar panels in the UK?
In the UK, the ideal roof pitch for solar panels is usually somewhere between 30 and 40 degrees.
That angle tends to capture sunlight most effectively throughout the year.
However, solar panels can still work outside of that range.
And interestingly, steeper roofs can sometimes reduce the disadvantage of a north orientation slightly.
For example:
- a steep north-facing roof tends to perform poorly
- a shallower one may still generate reasonable levels of electricity
This is why proper site assessments matter so much.
How much less electricity do north-facing solar panels produce?
This is usually the question homeowners really want answered.
And realistically, solar panels pointing north in the UK will typically produce around 30% to 50% less electricity than a strong south-facing system.
The exact difference depends on:
- roof pitch
- exact orientation
- shading
- panel quality
- system size
- local conditions
For example:
- a shallow north-east roof with no shading may still perform reasonably well
- a steep north-facing roof heavily shaded by trees may struggle to justify the investment
This is why blanket internet advice can sometimes be misleading.
Not all north-facing roofs behave the same way.
Why north-facing solar panels still generate electricity
A common misconception is that solar panels only work in direct sunlight.
That is not true.
Solar panels also generate electricity from:
- ambient daylight
- diffuse light
- brighter cloudy conditions
And realistically, diffuse daylight already plays a major role in UK solar generation because of our climate.
This is partly why solar panels still work surprisingly well in Britain generally — despite the weather stereotypes.
North-facing systems do not usually receive as much direct sunlight, but they can still generate meaningful electricity throughout the year.
The question is not:
“Will they work?”
The question is:
“Will they generate enough to make financial sense?”
When can north-facing solar still be worth it?
This is where things become more property-specific.
There are definitely situations where solar that faces north can still be worthwhile.
Shallower roof pitches
Shallower north-facing roofs tend to perform better than steeper ones.
A steep north-facing roof angles the panels away from the sun more aggressively, reducing generation further.
A lower pitch softens that disadvantage.
Large roof areas
If a homeowner has plenty of roof space available, it may still be possible to install enough panels to generate worthwhile amounts of electricity.
In some cases, system size can partially offset lower efficiency.
Minimal shading
Shade matters enormously with any solar system — but especially on north-facing roofs.
A north-facing roof with:
- no trees
- no chimneys
- no nearby buildings
…may still perform far better than a south-facing roof with heavy shading.
High daytime electricity usage
Homes that use large amounts of electricity during the day may still benefit significantly from solar generation, even if overall production is lower.
This is especially true for:
- home workers
- families at home during the day
- EV owners
- electrically heated homes
Battery storage
Battery storage can improve the value of a solar system facing north considerably.
Instead of exporting excess electricity cheaply during the day, homeowners can store it and use it later during the evening when electricity costs are higher.
If you’d like to learn more about battery storage, we recently compared two of the top battery storage brands on the market: Tesla Powerwall 3 and SigEnergy’s Sigenstor. Take a read here.
When north-facing solar probably isn’t worth it
Equally, there are some situations where we would usually advise caution.
For example:
- steep north-facing roofs
- heavy shading
- very limited roof space
- awkward roof layouts
- very low electricity usage
In these situations, the generation may simply not justify the investment.
And this is where honest advice matters.
A good installer should not automatically recommend solar simply because panels technically fit on the roof.
The important question is whether the system is likely to deliver sensible long-term value for the homeowner.
What do MCS guidelines say about north-facing solar?
This is another area that causes confusion online.
MCS does not ban solar panels that face the north.
There is no rule saying solar must face south.
However, MCS-certified installers are required to complete proper system design and performance assessments before installation.
That includes:
- roof analysis
- shading analysis
- generation estimates
- performance modelling
If predicted performance is too poor, a responsible installer should advise against the installation.
That is one reason proper surveys matter so much.
At JD Allen, we would always rather tell a homeowner that solar is unlikely to make sense than install a system that underperforms and leaves them disappointed later.
Are modern solar panels better for north-facing roofs?
Yes — modern panel technology has improved significantly.
Today’s panels are:
- more efficient
- better in lower light conditions
- better at handling diffuse daylight
- capable of generating more power per panel
This is one reason installations facing north are becoming more viable than they were 10 or 15 years ago.
That does not suddenly make north-facing roofs “ideal”.
But it does mean some properties that previously would have been ruled out may now be worth considering.
What are the alternatives if your roof faces north?
If the main roof is unsuitable, there may still be other options.
East or west-facing roof sections
Many homes have multiple roof aspects.
Sometimes east/west roof sections can still produce strong results.
In fact, east/west systems are often very effective for households with morning and evening electricity usage.
Flat roof solar systems
Flat roofs can often use mounting systems that angle the panels more favourably towards the sun.
This creates far more flexibility than fixed pitched roofs.
Ground-mounted solar
For properties with enough outdoor space, ground-mounted solar may be an option.
This allows the panels to be positioned at the ideal angle and orientation.
Garage or outbuilding roofs
Detached garages, garden rooms and outbuildings can sometimes provide surprisingly good solar opportunities.
JD Allen’s view on north-facing solar panels
At JD Allen, we do not automatically dismiss north-facing roofs.
But equally, we do not pretend every north-facing roof is suitable either.
Every property needs assessing individually.
We look at:
- roof pitch
- orientation
- shading
- available roof space
- expected generation
- household electricity usage
- battery storage potential
Because ultimately, the best solar system is not the one that technically fits on the roof.
It is the one that genuinely makes financial sense for the homeowner.
Sometimes that includes north-facing panels.
Sometimes it does not.
And honest advice is far more useful than blanket claims either way.
So — is solar on a north-facing roof worth it?
Sometimes yes.
Sometimes no.
That is the honest answer.
North-facing solar panels in the UK will usually generate less electricity than south-facing systems. But that does not automatically mean they are a bad investment.
A north-facing roof with:
- a shallow pitch
- minimal shading
- good roof space
- battery storage
- strong household electricity usage
…may still perform well enough to make solar worthwhile.
On the other hand, heavily shaded or steep north-facing roofs may struggle to produce enough energy to justify the installation cost.
The important thing is getting a proper assessment from an installer who will tell you realistically what your roof can achieve.
Unsure whether your roof is suitable for solar?
If you are researching solar panels in Bromley, South London or the surrounding areas, JD Allen can assess your roof orientation, shading and expected generation to give you a realistic view of whether solar is likely to work well for your property.
Simply click the button below, and get in touch with our expert team today!
JD Allen Solar
Deren Tumkaya founded JD Allen Solar in 2019. Frustrated by the impersonal, sales-driven tactics of large firms, he set out to build a company with a strong ethical foundation that puts personal service and local expertise first.
