Best Angle and Direction for Solar Panels in the UK
The best direction for solar panels in the UK is south, and the best angle is between 30 and 40 degrees from horizontal. This combination captures the most sunlight across the year for homes in London, Brighton, Oxford, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff and everywhere else across Southern England, the South West and South Wales.
If your roof does not face due south, you can still generate plenty of electricity. East and west facing roofs typically produce around 80 to 85 per cent of what a south facing roof would.
This guide explains how angle and direction affect your output, what to do if your roof is not ideal, and how to decide what suits your home. It is written for UK homeowners and landlords.
What Is the Best Angle for Solar Panels in the UK?
The best angle and direction for solar panels in the UK is a south facing roof tilted at roughly 35 degrees. In the UK, the sun sits in the southern half of the sky for most of the day, so panels pointing that way catch the most direct light. A tilt of around 35 degrees balances the high summer sun with the low winter sun.
Most British homes have a roof pitch between 30 and 45 degrees, which sits very close to that ideal. That is good news, because in most cases you can fit panels flush to the existing roof without expensive mounting frames.
The gap between a perfect setup and a good one is smaller than many people expect. A well designed system on a slightly off angle roof will often perform almost as well as a textbook layout, and the size of the system and quality of the equipment usually matter more than a few degrees either way.
Why does 35 degrees work so well?
The UK sits at a fairly high latitude, so the sun never climbs very high in the sky. In June it reaches around 60 degrees above the horizon in the south of England, but in December it barely gets past 15 degrees. A 35 degree tilt is a sensible middle ground that works reasonably well in both seasons.
Should the angle change between summer and winter?
A steeper angle of around 50 to 60 degrees suits winter, while a shallower angle of 10 to 20 degrees suits summer. In theory you could adjust panels twice a year. In practice, most homeowners never do this, because the extra output is small and the mounting hardware adds cost and maintenance.
For a typical roof installation, you simply fix the panels in place and let the roof pitch do the work.
What happens if my roof pitch is steeper or shallower?
Panels at 20 degrees or at 50 degrees still produce roughly 95 per cent of the maximum output when facing south. Even a very low tilt of around 10 degrees loses only a few per cent. The angle is more forgiving than the direction, so a roof that is a bit off does not usually rule out solar.
What Is the Best Direction for Solar Panels in the UK?
The best direction for solar panels in the UK is south, because the sun spends most of its daylight hours in the southern sky. A south facing array produces the highest total annual yield, and this is what installers aim for when the roof allows.
South facing roofs
These give the highest overall output and a big burst of generation around midday. They suit households that use plenty of electricity during the day, such as people who work from home, families with young children, or landlords whose tenants are often in.
South east and south west facing roofs
These are almost as good as due south. Panels within about 45 degrees either side of south typically lose only 5 to 10 per cent compared with the ideal. South east roofs generate more in the morning, while south west roofs generate more in the afternoon and early evening, which can match household demand very well.
East and west facing roofs
East and west facing panels generate around 80 to 85 per cent of the output of a south facing array. The benefit is a longer, flatter generation curve. East panels start producing early in the morning, and west panels keep going into the evening, when many people are cooking, washing and switching on lights.
North facing roofs
North facing roofs are generally the weakest option and can produce roughly 55 to 65 per cent of a south facing roof, depending on pitch and shading. In many cases, it is better to put more panels on other roof slopes. However, a north facing slope on a very low pitch can still be worthwhile, so it is worth having a survey rather than assuming.
Which Direction and Angle Suit Your Home? Get an Expert Opinion
Every roof is different, and a quick look on a compass app will only tell you so much. EE Renewables provides expert solar panel installation across Southern England, Greater London, South West England and South Wales, including areas like London, Brighton, Oxford, Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff.
Book a free survey today and we will assess your roof direction, pitch and shading before recommending a layout.
How Much Energy Do You Lose With the Wrong Angle or Direction for Solar Panels?
Getting the angle or direction for solar panels slightly wrong usually costs you between 5 and 20 per cent of potential output, not the majority of it. The table below shows typical figures for a UK roof, with a south facing roof at a good tilt set as 100 per cent.
| Roof direction | Approximate output compared with the ideal |
|---|---|
| South | 100% |
| South east or south west | 90 to 95% |
| East or west | 80 to 85% |
| North east or north west | 65 to 75% |
| North | 55 to 65% |
These are approximate figures, and real results depend on your exact roof pitch, location and local shade. For angle, a tilt anywhere between 20 and 50 degrees on a south facing roof stays within around 5 per cent of the maximum.
The important point is that lower efficiency does not mean poor value. An east-west system with slightly lower output can still deliver strong savings on your bills and a healthy return over its lifetime, particularly with today’s high electricity prices.
What Is the Best Angle for Solar Panels on a Flat Roof or in a Garden?
The best angle for solar panels on a flat roof or ground mount is usually between 10 and 15 degrees on a flat roof and up to 30 to 35 degrees in a garden. A flat roof needs a mounting frame to tilt the panels, and there is a balance to strike.
Flat roof installations
On a flat roof, a steep tilt means panels must be spaced further apart to avoid shading each other, and wind loading becomes a bigger concern. Many installers therefore use a gentle tilt of 10 to 15 degrees, sometimes in an east west arrangement. This allows more panels to fit on the roof and keeps the frames lower and more stable.
Ground mounted and garden systems
If you have space in a garden, paddock or on an outbuilding, you can choose the ideal angle and direction freely. A south facing frame tilted at about 35 degrees is common. Rural homeowners in areas like Oxfordshire, Somerset or Monmouthshire often go this route when the main roof is shaded or listed.
Landlords with flat roofed blocks or commercial style buildings can also benefit from this approach, particularly where a low profile is needed.
How Does Shade Affect the Angle and Direction for Solar Panels?
Shade often matters more than the angle and direction for solar panels, because even a small shadow across one panel can reduce output for a whole string of panels. A perfectly south facing roof under a large tree can perform worse than a west facing roof in full sun.
Common sources of shade in UK homes include:
- Trees and hedges, particularly in suburban streets and rural gardens
- Chimneys and dormer windows
- Neighbouring buildings, common in terraced streets in London, Bristol and Cardiff
- Satellite dishes, aerials and vent pipes
Modern systems can reduce the impact of shade using optimisers or microinverters, which let each panel work more independently. A good survey will identify shading at different times of day and year, so the layout avoids the worst areas.
Do You Need Planning Permission to Change the Angle or Direction of Solar Panels?
You usually do not need planning permission for solar panels on a home in England or Wales, because most roof installations fall under permitted development rights. However, some limits apply. Panels generally must not stick out more than 200mm from the roof surface, and they should not rise above the highest part of the roof, not counting the chimney.
Extra rules can apply if you live in a listed building or a conservation area, or if panels face a highway on a roof in some protected locations. Flats and leasehold properties often need permission from the freeholder or management company. Landlords should always check tenancy and lease terms first.
If you tilt panels on a flat roof or use a ground mount, the rules differ slightly, so it is worth confirming with an installer or your local planning authority before you start.
Want a Free Solar Panel Installation Survey From EE Renewables?
Now you know the best angle for solar panels and the best direction for solar panels, the next step is finding out what your own roof can do. EE Renewables provides expert solar panel installation across Southern England, Greater London, South West England and South Wales, including areas like London, Brighton, Oxford, Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff.
Our team will look at your roof direction, pitch, shading and energy use, then design a system that gets the most from your home. Whether you are a homeowner wanting lower bills or a landlord looking to improve a property, we will give you clear, honest advice with no pressure.
Get in touch today to request your free survey from EE Renewables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are solar trackers worth it for a UK home?
For most homes, solar trackers are not worth it. Trackers follow the sun across the sky to boost output, but they add cost, moving parts and maintenance. On a typical UK roof, the extra generation rarely justifies the expense. They are more common in large ground mounted commercial projects.
How do I find out which direction my roof faces?
You can find your roof direction using a compass app on your phone, or by looking at your property on an online satellite map with north at the top. Stand in your garden looking at the roof, or check where the sun rises and sets relative to the house. A professional survey will confirm the exact orientation and pitch, so your quote is based on accurate figures.
Does the angle of solar panels affect how clean they stay?
Yes, a steeper angle helps rain wash away dust and debris. Panels tilted at 15 degrees or more tend to self clean reasonably well in the UK’s wet climate. Very shallow panels on flat roofs can collect more dirt, leaves and bird droppings, so they may benefit from an occasional check or gentle clean.
