Solar Panels on a North-Facing Roof: Honest Assessment
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Should you put solar panels on a north-facing roof?
North-facing solar panels produce only 55–60% of south-facing output. For most UK homes, this weakens the financial case significantly — payback extends to 14–18 years and annual savings drop to £350–£500 instead of £700–£900. We generally do not recommend north-facing installations unless you have no alternative roof direction, very high electricity consumption, or other factors that improve the maths.
The Numbers: North vs South-Facing
4kW system comparison:
| Direction | Annual Gen | Annual Savings | Cost | Payback | 25yr Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South | 4,000 kWh | £700–£900 | £6,750 | 8–10 yrs | £10,750–£15,750 |
| South-East | 3,800 kWh | £660–£850 | £6,750 | 8–11 yrs | £9,750–£14,500 |
| East/West | 3,300 kWh | £570–£740 | £6,750 | 9–12 yrs | £7,500–£11,750 |
| North | 2,300 kWh | £400–£520 | £6,750 | 13–17 yrs | £3,250–£6,250 |
The north-facing system still generates a positive return over 25 years — but the return is roughly 50–60% less than south-facing. The payback period pushes uncomfortably close to the inverter replacement point (10–15 years), meaning you may need to spend another £800–£1,500 before the original system has fully paid for itself.
Source: PVGIS UK orientation data; Ofgem price cap, July-September 2026.
When North-Facing Solar Might Still Work
Exceptions where north-facing panels could make sense:
- Very high electricity consumption (6,000+ kWh/year) — even 55% output covers a meaningful portion of a large bill
- All other roof faces are unusable — shaded, too small, or have structural issues
- You have already installed panels on south/east/west and want to add more capacity
- You are installing a very large system (8–10kW) and using every available roof face
- Your roof pitch is very low (10–15 degrees) — shallow north-facing roofs lose less than steep ones because the panel angle is closer to flat (which is less directionally sensitive)
- Ground-mounted panels are not an option (no garden space, planning restrictions)
- Electricity prices rise significantly — every 5p/kWh increase adds £115/year to north-facing savings
Find the right system size for your roof
Panel count depends on your electricity use, roof space and direction — not on a rule of thumb. Get a recommended size and what it should cost.
Size My SystemBetter Alternatives If Your Roof Faces North
Before accepting north-facing panels, consider these alternatives:
1. Ground-mounted panels: If you have a garden, ground-mounted panels can be angled optimally toward the south. Cost premium: 10–15% more than roof-mounted, but you get 100% output.
2. Solar carport/garage: If you have a detached garage or carport with a different orientation, these may offer better panel positioning.
3. Invest in energy efficiency instead: The £6,750 you would spend on north-facing solar might deliver better returns if spent on: - Loft insulation (£300–£600, saves £100–£200/year on heating) - Cavity wall insulation (£500–£1,500, saves £200–£400/year) - Double glazing upgrade (£3,000–£7,000, saves £100–£200/year) - LED lighting throughout (£100–£300, saves £50–£100/year)
4. Wait for a better option: If you plan to move within 5–10 years, you may be better served by investing in a south-facing system at your next property.
Source: Energy Saving Trust; MCS installer guidance.
What About a North-East or North-West Roof?
North-east and north-west are slightly better than due north:
- North-east: 60–65% of south-facing output. Captures some morning sun.
- North-west: 60–65% of south-facing output. Captures some afternoon sun.
- Due north: 55–60% of south-facing output. Relies almost entirely on diffused light.
The difference between NE/NW and due north is small (about 5 percentage points). None of these directions are ideal, but NE/NW are marginally better.
Our honest recommendation: If your only option is a north, north-east, or north-west facing roof, the money is usually better spent on other energy efficiency improvements — unless you have very high electricity consumption or are committed to renewable energy regardless of payback period.
Source: PVGIS UK irradiance data by orientation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Solar panels are most powerful when combined with an efficient heating system. Heat pumps use solar-generated electricity to heat your home at 300-400% efficiency — making them the ideal partner for solar.
Heat pumps use electricity at 300-400% efficiency, making them ideal partners for solar.
Heat pump installation typically takes 2-3 days and is best planned alongside solar.
From our sister site Home Heat Pump Guide
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Find the right system size for your roof
Panel count depends on your electricity use, roof space and direction — not on a rule of thumb. Get a recommended size and what it should cost.
Size My SystemFree calculator. No contact details required to see your result.