Will Solar Panels Work On An East-Facing Roof?

South-facing solar panels, which receive the most sunlight throughout the day, are considered the ideal in the northern hemisphere –  but that doesn’t mean you can’t install solar panels on an east-facing or west-facing roof. If your roof doesn’t allow for south-facing panels, whether due to shading, limited roof space, or obstructions from nearby structures, you can still generate electricity with east-facing and west-facing solar panels, although maximum production occurs at different times of the day. 

Solar panel direction is just one piece of the puzzle when considering if solar power is suitable for your home. Other factors, like shading, roof pitch, local climate, and when you consume the most electricity all play just as much of a role – if not more. While the direction your panels face is important, it’s not the only deciding factor we look at when assessing the suitability of solar. 

In this article, we dive into why solar panel direction is important, whether east-facing or west-facing solar panels can still be effective, what to do if your roof faces north, and other factors to consider when exploring your potential for solar power. 

Key takeaways: 

• In the northern hemisphere, south-facing solar panels tend to get the most exposure to sunlight throughout the day, and therefore generate the most amount of electricity. 
• South-facing panels aren’t possible for some homes due to factors like shading, obstructions, or roof size. In that case, it might be more effective for your solar panels to face a different direction. 
• East-facing solar panels are considered the 'second-best' option when south-facing panels aren't possible. These panels still capture enough sunlight to produce significant amounts of electricity and help you save on electricity bills. 
• West-facing panels are generally less productive than east-facing panels, making most of their power in the morning hours as the sun rises. 
• North facing solar panels are generally discouraged in the northern hemisphere, but if you live south of the equator, north facing panels are ideal. 
• There are many other factors to consider when exploring if solar power is suitable for your home, including shading, time-of-use billing, roof pitch, energy usage patterns, and local climate. 

Why does solar panel direction matter?

The orientation of your solar panels plays an important role in how much electricity they produce. Solar power is unfortunately not as simple as just pointing your panels towards the sky – if you want your system to work at maximum efficiency, your panels need to be positioned so they capture as much direct sunlight as possible throughout the day for as long as possible. 

In the northern hemisphere, south-facing panels get the most sun exposure as the sun arcs across the southern sky, allowing for maximum energy production. But panels on east or west-facing roofs can still generate substantial amounts of electricity, just at different times of day. For example, east-facing roofs gather more energy in the morning, while west-facing solar panels perform best in the late afternoon. 

The ultimate goal of solar panel orientation is to expose your panels to as much sunlight as possible so they can generate enough electricity to meet your household’s needs. But it’s not the only factor that plays a role – things like shading, roof pitch, and local climate can all affect how much energy your solar panels generate. 

What’s the best direction for solar panels?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the ‘best’ solar panel direction, however a south-facing roof is generally recommended in the northern hemisphere. 

Since the sun travels across the southern part of the sky, a south-facing orientation means your panels are exposed to sunlight for the longest period of time throughout the day. Naturally, this means they’ll be able to generate the most amount of solar energy. But south-facing solar panels are in no way the only option when it comes to a productive and economically viable solar system. 

Panels that face anywhere between southeast and southwest can still produce significant amounts of energy, with only a slight dip in efficiency. In some cases, it might be even more effective to install panels facing east or west, depending on when you use the most power. If your household is more active in the mornings, for example, east-facing panels could be ideal. If your energy consumption tends to fall in the late afternoon, then west-facing panels might be more suitable. 

In the end, solar panel direction is just one factor solar installers consider when designing your solar panel system. With a well-designed, customized system, you can generate enough electricity to significantly reduce your utility bills and see a solid return on investment – regardless of which direction your roof faces. 

See More: Solar Panel Direction: What is the Best Angle?

Will solar panels work on an east-facing roof?

Yes, solar panels can work on an east-facing roof. While this orientation might not be the ‘textbook’ choice like south-facing panels, it’s still an excellent option for homeowners who don’t have south-facing roofs. 

Generally, east-facing solar panels are considered the ‘second-best’ orientation after south-facing. They can generate about 85% of the energy that south-facing systems produce, which is still enough for most homeowners to see impressive savings on their utility bills. Considering that many solar-powered homes produce excess power that they either store in solar batteries or sell back to the grid, it’s highly likely that east-facing panels will still generate enough electricity to meet your needs. 

Note that, while solar panel orientation can affect your system’s efficiency and how much electricity it generates, it won’t necessarily impact the cost-effectiveness of your system. Other elements, like electricity rates and eligibility for federal and state incentives, play a much bigger role in determining your solar return on investment (ROI). 

For detailed, customized guidance on how solar can work for you – including your eligibility for incentives and estimated ROI calculation – contact our team for a free, no-obligation consultation. 

Keep Reading: Solar Panels ROI: Calculating Your Average Returns

Other factors to consider beyond solar panel direction

As we mentioned above, assessing the suitability of solar panels involves more than just roof orientation. Here are some other factors we consider when determining if solar is right for you. 

Shading

Shading can have a huge impact on solar panel performance and productivity. If part of your roof is shaded by trees, buildings, or other structures, it can greatly reduce your energy output. Even partial shading can reduce your system’s efficiency if you don’t have microinverters in place. 

When considering solar panels, look at the amount of shading your roof gets throughout the day and across different seasons. If your east-facing roof enjoys more sun than a south-facing one, it might actually outperform it in terms of energy production. 

Learn More: Everything You Need To Know About Solar Inverters

Time-of-use billing

Many utilities implement time-of-use (TOU) pricing, which means electricity costs more during peak hours. If your utility follows this structure, an east-west roof orientation could actually work to your advantage, allowing your panels to generate more electricity when rates are highest. 

The peak electricity demand period usually falls in the afternoon and evening, when people return home from work, switch on the AC, and cook dinner. Because west-facing panels catch more sunlight during these peak hours, you’ll be less reliant on grid power and save more on utility bills. In this scenario, even if west-facing panels are slightly less efficient than south-facing ones, they’ll be delivering energy during the time you need it most for cost savings. 

For early bird households, east-facing solar panels can be more suitable. These panels generate more power earlier in the day. If your family is up and active at dawn, east-facing panels could potentially align with your energy usage patterns and still help you save on utility bills. 

Roof pitch

The angle or pitch of your roof can also influence how much sunlight your solar panels receive during the day. Generally, solar panels perform best when mounted at a tilt that captures sunlight at a perpendicular angle – in the United States, this is usually about 30 to 40 degrees. 

For east-facing solar panels, however, a shallower roof pitch – closer to 15 degrees – can actually boost efficiency. If your roof angle isn’t ideal for maximum energy generation, we can install a mounting system that tilts your solar panels to the best angle for maximum energy production, though this adds to the overall cost of installation.  

See More: Replacing Your Roof? It's a Great Time to Add Solar

Local climate and weather

Your local climate plays a huge role in how well your solar system generates electricity, sometimes even more so than your roof’s direction. In sunny states like Arizona, for example, even roofs facing west or north can generate substantial amounts of solar power. With the constant sunshine, your solar panels will soak up enough energy to provide a solid ROI, making solar a smart investment. 

On the other hand, if you live somewhere prone to cloudy weather or rain, optimizing your solar system becomes even more important. In that case, roof orientation can play a bigger role in determining the effectiveness of your solar system. That said, solar panels can still produce significant amounts of electricity in less sunny areas. 

No matter where you are, it’s worth looking into solar options. Every home is different, and the weather might be more on your side than you think! Speaking to a reliable solar installer will help you understand your options and whether solar is suitable for your unique situation and needs. 

What if I have a north-facing roof?

North-facing roofs generally receive less direct sunlight throughout the day, making them the least ideal orientation for solar panels in the northern hemisphere – but, again, that doesn’t mean solar is out of the question. 

In regions with consistently high sunshine, like Arizona, even north-facing solar panels can produce enough energy to offset your utility bills. While north-facing panels might not generate as much power as those facing south, if your roof has a lower pitch or is slightly oriented northeast or northwest, you can still capture enough sunlight to make solar worth it. 

The best way to find out if your north-facing roof is suitable for solar panels is to speak to a local solar expert. At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we provide free consultations that include evaluating your roof’s suitability for solar panels and whether you could generate enough solar energy to make your investment worth it. Contact us today for a customized, no-obligation quote – our team will be happy to help you understand if solar power is right for your home. 

FAQs: Will solar panels work on an east-facing roof?

Below, we answer some FAQs about solar panels on east-facing roofs. 

Can I install solar panels on an east-facing roof?

Yes, you can install solar panels on an east-facing roof! While south-facing panels get the most sunshine exposure in the northern hemisphere, you can still generate enough solar power with east-facing panels to see significant savings on your utility bills. 

Are east-facing solar panels as effective as south-facing panels?

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to how solar panel orientation affects efficiency. Every location is different and every home is unique. South-facing solar panels generate the most solar power in the northern hemisphere, however there are situations where it can be more effective to have east-facing or even west-facing panels. 

A reputable solar installer will design a customized system that works with your roof, location, and energy consumption habits, ensuring you generate enough electricity for your needs while also maximizing ROI. 

Can I install solar panels on a north-facing roof?

On average, north-facing panels produce 15-30% less energy than south-facing panels. The exact percentage varies depending on factors like latitude, roof angle, shading, and time of year. This doesn't mean that north-facing solar panels aren't worthwhile. In sunny regions like Arizona, north-facing panels can still generate enough solar power to reduce your utility bills, but the return on investment will be lower than any of the other four directions.  

That said, every home is unique and every situation is different. To see if solar power can work with your north-facing roof, contact our team for a free, no-obligation quote. 

Is my house suitable for solar? 

If you’re exploring solar power for your home, you don’t have to make these calculations and assessments on your own. Our expert team at Sun Valley Solar Solutions is here to help you make an informed decision that takes into account your unique needs, consumption habits, location, and solar power goals. It’s all part of our free consultation process, which includes a no-obligation initial estimate and ROI calculation. 

When you work with us, you’re working with a dedicated team that’s involved in every step of the process: from consultation to design, installation, and ongoing support. Our team takes the time to understand your situation and budget, and we’ll design a solar system specifically for you. We can even present multiple options and help you make a truly informed decision. Whether your roof is facing east, west, south, or north, we’ll never recommend solar if we don’t think it’s viable and worth it for you. 

To start exploring your options with solar power, contact us now or give us a call on 480-576-5693.