When businesses begin exploring commercial solar PV, one of the first questions that arises is about orientation. More specifically, decision-makers want to know the best solar panel direction to maximise generation and improve return on investment.
For years, there has been a widely held belief that solar panels only work effectively on south-facing roofs. While there is truth in south-facing panels delivering strong performance, this assumption often leads businesses with other roof orientations to discount solar altogether. In reality, modern solar design, improved technology, and a better understanding of energy usage patterns mean that many roof directions in the UK can deliver excellent results.
Why solar panel direction matters
Solar panels generate electricity by capturing sunlight and converting it into usable energy. The amount of power produced depends on how much sunlight reaches the panels over the course of the day and throughout the year. Direction plays a critical role in determining this exposure.
In the UK, the sun rises in the east, sets in the west, and spends most of its time in the southern part of the sky. As a result, panel orientation affects not only total annual yield, but also when energy is generated during the day. For commercial buildings, this timing can be just as important as overall output, particularly when aligning solar generation with daytime business operations.
Is south still the best solar panel direction?
South facing panels are often described as the optimal option for solar in the UK, and there is a good reason for this. Panels facing south receive sunlight more evenly across the day, particularly around midday when solar irradiance is highest. Under ideal conditions, a south-facing system will typically deliver the highest possible annual generation.
From a purely technical standpoint, south facing roofs can achieve close to maximum theoretical output when paired with the correct tilt and minimal shading. For businesses focused on maximising total kilowatt hours produced from a limited roof area, south-facing orientation remains highly effective.
What about east and west facing solar panels?
East and west facing roofs are extremely common on warehouses, distribution centres, and industrial units. While these orientations do not capture sunlight in the same way as a south-facing array, they can still perform very well in commercial environments.
East-facing panels generate more electricity in the morning, while west-facing panels produce more in the afternoon and early evening. Individually, each direction may deliver a slightly lower annual yield than a south facing system, but when combined, east-west arrays can create a broader and more consistent generation profile throughout the working day.
For businesses that operate from early morning through to late afternoon, this extended generation window often aligns better with on-site electricity demand. Rather than exporting excess energy at midday, more solar power can be consumed directly within the building. This can improve self-consumption rates and strengthen the financial case for solar.
In many cases, an east-west configuration may produce around 75-90% of the output of a south facing system, depending on pitch and location. While the absolute yield may be lower, the commercial value of the energy generated can remain very strong.
What about north facing roofs?
North facing roofs are commonly viewed as unsuitable for solar in the UK, but this perspective has softened in recent years. While it is true that north facing panels receive less direct sunlight and generate lower yields, they are not always off the table.
Shallow roof pitches, large roof areas, and newer panel technologies can make north facing installations viable in certain scenarios. In addition, many commercial buildings have multiple roof planes. Using a combination of east, west, and limited north facing space can still contribute to a strong overall system output.
The key takeaway is that while north-facing roofs are rarely the best solar panel direction, they do not automatically rule out solar as an option. A proper site assessment is essential to determine whether they can play a role in a wider system design.
The role of tilt angle in solar performance
Direction and tilt work together to influence how much sunlight solar panels receive. In the UK, the optimal tilt angle for fixed solar panels generally falls between 30 and 40 degrees. This range provides a balanced performance across the seasons, capturing higher summer sun while still performing well during lower winter sun angles.
Many commercial buildings have flat or low-pitch roofs, which offer an advantage. Panels can be installed on mounting systems that set both the direction and tilt independently of the roof structure. This flexibility means the best solar panel direction can often be achieved even if the building itself does not face south.
On pitched roofs, installers must work with the existing angle, but this does not necessarily prevent strong performance. Even roofs outside the ideal range can still support productive solar systems when optimally designed.
Shading and obstructions are more important than direction
Shading can have an even greater impact on solar performance. Nearby buildings, trees, rooftop plants, or architectural features can significantly reduce output if not accounted for during design.
A well oriented system with poor shading can underperform far more than a slightly sub-optimal system with clear solar access. This is why professional assessments, including shading analysis and system modelling, are critical when determining the best solar panel direction for a commercial site. This said, modern inverters and panel-level optimisation technologies can also help mitigate partial shading and maximise generation from each section of the array; all of these areas we will discuss with you at a proposal stage to ensure you understand energy yield and how obstacles and shading may affect return on investment.
Debunking the myths!
One of the most persistent misconceptions in commercial solar is that a south facing roof is essential. As we have detailed, many highly successful UK solar installations are oriented east-west or mixed.
What matters most is not chasing a single “perfect” direction, but designing a system that suits the building’s structure and the business’s energy usage. In some cases, spreading panels across different directions reduces peak output but increases usable energy, which can improve overall system economics. The best solar panel direction is therefore site-specific, not universal.
Designing for optimised business performance
At a commercial level, solar should be viewed as an operational asset rather than just a generation tool. Factors such as working hours, load profiles, export tariffs, and future battery storage all influence what configuration delivers the greatest value.
For example, a business with steady daytime consumption may benefit more from east-west panels that closely follow demand. Another with limited roof space may prioritise south facing panels to maximise output per square metre. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, which is why informed system design is essential.
Final takeaway regarding solar panel direction
In the UK, south facing panels often provide the highest annual generation, but they are not the only effective option. East and west facing systems can deliver excellent commercial outcomes, particularly when energy consumption aligns with working hours. North facing panels, while less productive, will still play a positive role under the right conditions.
The best solar panel direction is ultimately the one that maximises usable energy, supports financial performance, and works with the realities of the building. With the right design approach, businesses do not need a south facing roof to benefit from solar.
At Harvest Green Developments, every system is designed around real-world performance, not assumptions. By assessing roof layout, orientation, shading, and operational demand, we help businesses unlock the full value of commercial solar, regardless of roof direction.
