Are east or west-facing roofs good for solar?

Yes. They generate around 80 to 90 percent of a south-facing roof, and often match a household’s morning or evening power use better. They are usually still well worth it.

How much less do east and west roofs generate than south?

Roughly 10 to 20 percent less. South-east and south-west sit at about 95 percent of south, while east and west are around 80 to 90 percent.

Is an east-west split worth doing?

Often yes. Panels on both an east and a west slope spread the output across the day, fill more roof, and smooth the midday peak, which can suit your usage and export tariffs.

Is east or west better for solar?

Neither is clearly better, it depends on when you use power. An east roof gives you more in the morning, a west roof more in the late afternoon and evening. Pick the one that matches when your home actually uses electricity.

Do I need a south-facing roof for solar to be worth it?

No. South is the benchmark, but an east or west roof still generates around 80 to 90 percent of that and for many homes lines up better with daily use. A south-east or south-west roof sits at about 95 percent. Only a north-facing main slope is usually not worth it on its own.

What about a north-facing roof?

A north-facing main slope generates a lot less, often only 55 to 70 percent of south, so it is rarely worth it on its own. An east or west slope is a much better bet.

Suitability

Solar on east and west-facing roofs

By Daniel Osei · Last checked 25 June 2026

You do not need a south-facing roof for solar. An east or west-facing roof generates around 80 to 90 percent of what a south roof would, and for a lot of households it actually suits the way they use power better. South is the benchmark, but it is not the only option worth having.

The quick version

On an east or west-facing roof:

You get roughly 80 to 90 percent of a south-facing roof
East gives you more in the morning, west more in the evening
That often matches when a household actually uses power
It is usually still well worth fitting

How much you lose, and why it is less than it sounds

Due south is the reference point in the UK, the 100 percent case. An east or west-facing roof produces roughly 80 to 90 percent of that for the same system. South-east and south-west sit in between, at around 95 percent.

A 10 to 20 percent drop sounds like a lot until you put numbers on it. On a typical system the difference is modest, and it rarely changes whether solar is worth doing. North-facing main slopes are the real exception, generating far less, often only 55 to 70 percent of south, so those are the ones to avoid.

The sun tracks east to west and sits highest in the south. South-facing roofs catch the most over the day. East or west roofs catch the morning or evening.

Roof direction	Rough output vs south
South	100%, the benchmark
South-east or south-west	About 95%
East or west	About 80 to 90%
North	Often only 55 to 70%, rarely worth it alone

When the power arrives

A south roof peaks in the middle of the day, when many households are out. An east roof generates more in the morning, and a west roof more in the late afternoon and evening. That spread can be more useful than a single midday peak.

If you are home in the mornings, or you cook, charge a car and run the house in the evening, an east or west roof can line up with your demand better than south would. The more power you use as you generate it, rather than exporting it cheaply, the better the system pays off.

Why it is usually still worth it

A smaller midday peak spread across the day suits export tariffs too. The Smart Export Guarantee, the scheme that pays you for power you send back to the grid, and time-of-use tariffs both reward generating at the right time as much as generating the most overall.

Putting panels on both an east and a west slope is a common approach. It splits the output across the day, fills more of your roof, and smooths the peaks. For most homes an east or west roof is a clear yes, not a compromise.

Back to the full suitability guide

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Common questions

Are east or west-facing roofs good for solar?: Yes. They generate around 80 to 90 percent of a south-facing roof, and often match a household’s morning or evening power use better. They are usually still well worth it.
How much less do east and west roofs generate than south?: Roughly 10 to 20 percent less. South-east and south-west sit at about 95 percent of south, while east and west are around 80 to 90 percent.
Is an east-west split worth doing?: Often yes. Panels on both an east and a west slope spread the output across the day, fill more roof, and smooth the midday peak, which can suit your usage and export tariffs.
Is east or west better for solar?: Neither is clearly better, it depends on when you use power. An east roof gives you more in the morning, a west roof more in the late afternoon and evening. Pick the one that matches when your home actually uses electricity.
Do I need a south-facing roof for solar to be worth it?: No. South is the benchmark, but an east or west roof still generates around 80 to 90 percent of that and for many homes lines up better with daily use. A south-east or south-west roof sits at about 95 percent. Only a north-facing main slope is usually not worth it on its own.
What about a north-facing roof?: A north-facing main slope generates a lot less, often only 55 to 70 percent of south, so it is rarely worth it on its own. An east or west slope is a much better bet.