The Best Angle and Direction for Solar Panels in the UK 

In This Article

1. Why Is Solar Panel Angle and Direction Important? 
2. What Is the Best Angle for Solar Panels? 
3. The Best Angles for Solar Panel by UK Location 
4. Does the Best Angle Change Depending on the Season? 
5. What Is the Best Direction for Solar Panels in the UK? 
6. What If You Don’t Have an Angled Roof for Solar Panels? 
7. Start Saving with Solar 

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Key Takeaway 

📐 The best angle for solar panels in the UK is around 40 degrees 

⬇️ The best direction for solar panels in the UK is south 

✂️ A poor angle or direction can cut your output by over 50%. 

🧭 UK panels produce the most energy when facing south. 

🌞 East or west facing solar panels are second best if south isn’t an option 

🌍 The optimum angle shifts slightly as the Earth rotates 

🌐 Panel orientation changes depending on your location. 

🏗️ You can tilt panels on a flat roof using a mounting system 

Solar panels can slash your energy bills and shrink your carbon footprint. With the most efficient setup, you could break even in 14 years or less. 

That alone makes solar panels worth it. On top of that, solar panels prices have dropped massively in the last ten years. But before you start comparing quotes, you need to check whether your roof is a good fit.  

Solar panels can work almost anywhere, but the right setup can double your energy output. If you want your panels to work well, they need to face the right direction and sit at the right angle.  

On flat roofs or ground systems, solar trackers can help. On sloped roofs, you’ll need to get the angle right from the start. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the best angles and directions for solar panels in the UK, and what to do if your roof isn’t perfectly south-facing. 

Once you’ve nailed that, you’re ready to choose your panels. We can help with that part too. 

Just fill in a few quick details, and we’ll match you with installers offering free solar quotes. 

Why Is Solar Panel Angle and Direction Important? 

Solar panels will generate electricity no matter where you point them. But if you want them to perform well, you need to position them where they’ll get the most sunlight. 

A poor angle or direction can reduce your output by over 50%. That means fewer savings and a longer payback period. 

A system that faces north in the UK will produce much less electricity than one that faces south, east, or west. Even small tweaks to your setup can make a big difference. 

Your installer must get the angle and direction right. The sun moves across the sky in different ways depending on the season and where you live, so every home has a slightly different sweet spot. 

Panels that sit at the best angle and direction will: 

• Catch more sunlight in the mornings and evenings 

• Produce more electricity throughout the day 

• Cut more off your energy bills 

• Shed rain and debris more easily (which helps keep them clean) 

If you’re unsure whether your roof is suitable, a good installer will check it for you, and help you get the setup right. 

The best angle for solar panels in the UK is between 20° and 50°. 

Within this range, panels catch more sunlight across the day, which boosts energy output and cuts your payback time. The sweet spot for most homes is around 40 degrees from horizontal. 

If your panels sit too flat or too steep, they miss peak sunlight hours. If you’ve got a flat roof, don’t worry. You can still achieve the right angle with a mounting system that props up the panels. 

The 20° to 50° angle range is based on UK latitude. In other parts of the world, the ideal tilt changes. Further south or closer to the equator, you’ll want a flatter panel. Further north, a steeper one. 

If you’re not sure what angle you’re working with, your installer can measure it and adjust it if needed. 

The Best Angles for Solar Panel by UK Location 

The ideal angle for solar panels doesn’t change much across the UK. But your location still plays a small role. 

As a rule, the further north you go, the steeper your roof should be, though usually by just a few degrees. Even then, the variation is small. 

A 2019 study by York University found that the best angle for solar panels in Yorkshire is 39 degrees. That’s almost identical to most regions across the UK. 

In most cases, your roof will already be set at the right slope. Most UK homes have roof pitches between 30° and 50°, which fits perfectly within the ideal range for solar. 

So, while your installer will double-check the angle, you likely won’t need to make major adjustments. 

Does the Best Angle Change Depending on the Season? 

Yes, the best angle for your solar panels shifts slightly with the seasons. 

That’s because the sun sits higher in the sky during summer and lower during winter. The Earth’s tilt causes this shift, and it changes how sunlight hits your roof throughout the year. 

Some experts suggest adjusting the tilt of your panels every few months to follow the sun’s path. This works well for ground-mounted systems and panels on adjustable brackets. 

However, most UK rooftops don’t allow for angle changes. The good news is that a fixed angle between 20° and 50° still performs well year-round, even without adjustment. 

If you want a more dynamic setup, ask your installer about solar tracking systems or seasonal mounts. But for most homes, a fixed setup is simpler and still cost-effective. 

What Is the Best Direction for Solar Panels in the UK? 

The direction your panels face plays a huge role in how much sunlight they catch. 

In the UK, the best direction for solar panels is due south. This puts them in direct view of the sun for most of the day, which maximises energy generation. 

This south-facing setup is known as a zero-degree azimuth. If your panels face east, the azimuth is -90°. If they face west, it’s 90°. These systems still work well, but they won’t match the output of a south-facing installation. 

According to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), this rule holds true across the whole country. While the best tilt varies slightly by region, the best direction does not. 

If your roof faces south, your installer should use that space first. But if you don’t have a south-facing roof, you can still go solar. 

East- and west-facing panels are viable and common. East-facing panels produce more in the morning, while west-facing ones peak in the afternoon. Together, they can balance your system across the day.

Can you install north-facing solar panels?  

The sun tracks across the southern part of the sky in the northern hemisphere. That’s why south-facing panels work best here. If you lived in the southern hemisphere, the reverse would apply, you’d want your panels to face north.  

That’s why North-facing panels get very little sunlight in the UK. In most cases, they’re not worth installing unless they’re part of a larger mixed-direction array.

What If You Don’t Have an Angled Roof for Solar Panels? 

If you don’t have an angled roof, there are still ways to install solar panels. Some options work better than others, and some may not work at all for certain homes. 

Here are the main alternatives: 

Ground-mounted solar panels 

A ground-mounted system lets you control the angle and direction of your panels. You can also add trackers that follow the sun and boost your energy output even further. 

If you have high energy usage, land to spare, and a healthy budget, ground-mounted panels can generate a lot of electricity. 

But they aren’t cheap. Ground systems usually cost 15–20% more than rooftop setups because of the extra labour and materials involved. 

You’ll also need planning permission if your system: 

Covers more than nine square metres 

Is wider or deeper than three metres 

Stands taller than four metres 

Sits closer than five metres to your property boundary 

For a deeper dive, check out our guide to ground-mounted solar panels. 

Solar panels on a flat roof 

Flat roofs can support solar panels, but only under the right conditions. 

Since December 2023, most flat-roof solar installs no longer need planning permission. But the weight is a bigger problem. 

Installers usually avoid drilling into flat roofs to prevent leaks. Instead, they use heavy ballasts, about 80kg per panel. 

That’s a lot of extra weight. A standard panel weighs around 20kg, so ballasted systems are roughly five times heavier. Most domestic flat roofs aren’t strong enough to handle that. 

If your roof is reinforced or engineered for extra load, a flat-roof install might still be possible. 

You can learn more in our guide to solar panels on flat roofs. 

Solar panels on a balcony 

Balcony solar panels are another option, especially in cities where roof access is limited. 

You can mount vertical panels onto your balcony railings. They won’t catch as much sun as rooftop panels, but they still produce usable electricity. 

This setup is growing fast across Europe. In Germany, plug-in balcony solar systems saw a sevenfold increase in early 2023. 

Balcony solar won’t replace a full rooftop array, but it’s a handy solution if you don’t have another option. 

Start Saving with Solar 

The best spot for solar panels is still a south-facing roof with a tilt of about 35 degrees. But every home is different. 

Shading from trees, chimneys, or nearby buildings can change the ideal location. Your installer will assess your property and help you find the best solution. 

To find out how much a solar and battery system could save you, answer a few quick questions below. We’ll get back to you with what suits you best.