Enter a Few Details & See If Your Roof Is Suitable for Solar Panels
Find out how suitable your roof is for solar panels. Enter your details below for an instant suitability score.
Your roof details
Your roof is a great candidate
Summary appears here after calculation.
Factor breakdown
Recommendations
Estimated costs
Next steps
How to Use the Roof Suitability Checker
Work through each question about your roof. For orientation, stand inside looking out of a window on that roof slope — which compass direction are you facing? For pitch, most UK roofs are 30-40°; flat roofs and dormer windows are obvious, very steep roofs are rare. Be honest about shading — even a chimney casting shadows for part of the day counts. The tool calculates a suitability score and gives tailored recommendations.
Understanding Your Suitability Score
Score 85-100: Excellent ⭐
Your roof is ideally suited for solar. You have optimal or near-optimal conditions in most areas. Expect maximum generation, fastest payback, and best return on investment. Proceed confidently with getting installer quotes.
Score 70-84: Good ✓
Your roof is well-suited for solar with minor limitations. Perhaps your orientation isn’t perfect, or there’s some shading. You’ll still get good performance and solid returns — just slightly less than the theoretical maximum. Still a sound investment.
Score 50-69: Fair ⚠️
Solar is possible but with noticeable limitations. You might have significant shading, challenging orientation, or roof condition concerns. It can still work, but manage expectations on output and payback time. Get professional advice on whether it makes financial sense.
Score Below 50: Poor ✗
Significant challenges exist. This might be heavy shading, north-facing orientation, roof condition issues, or an incompatible roof type. Solar may not be cost-effective without addressing these issues first. Consider alternatives like ground-mounted systems or community solar schemes.
The Factors Explained
Orientation 🧭
South-facing roofs capture the most sunlight in the UK and score 100%. South-east and south-west are nearly as good at 95%. East and west-facing roofs still work well at around 80-85% — you get good morning or afternoon sun respectively. North-facing roofs receive significantly less direct sunlight and are generally not recommended.
Pitch (Angle) 📐
The ideal roof angle in the UK is 35-40° — this captures the most annual sunlight given our latitude. Shallower or steeper pitches still work but generate slightly less. Flat roofs can use angled mounting frames to achieve optimal positioning, though this adds some cost.
Shading ☁️
Shading is one of the biggest output killers. Even partial shade on one panel can affect the whole string with traditional inverters. Consider trees (including seasonal leaf cover), chimneys, neighbouring buildings, and your own roof features like dormers. Optimisers or microinverters can help minimize shading losses.
Roof Condition 🏠
Solar panels last 25-30 years. If your roof needs replacing in the next 10 years, do it first — removing and reinstalling panels later is expensive and risks damage. A sound roof in good condition is essential.
Space 📏
Each standard 400W panel needs about 1.8m². You need clear space away from edges, vents, skylights, and chimneys. More space means more panels and more generation, but even a small system of 4-6 panels can make a meaningful contribution.
Planning 📋
Most residential solar installations fall under permitted development and don’t need planning permission. However, listed buildings, conservation areas, and flats may have additional requirements. Always check with your local planning authority if in doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put solar panels on a north-facing roof?
Technically yes, but it’s rarely worthwhile. North-facing panels in the UK generate 50-55% less than south-facing ones, making payback times very long. If north is your only option, consider ground-mounted panels, a solar carport, or check if you have any south-facing outbuildings.
Does my roof need to be completely unshaded?
No, but less shading is always better. Brief shadows early morning or late evening have minimal impact. Midday shading is most costly as that’s when generation peaks. Modern systems with optimisers or microinverters can isolate shaded panels so they don’t drag down the whole system.
What if I have a flat roof?
Flat roofs are actually quite good for solar. Panels can be mounted on angled frames at the optimal 35° pitch facing south. The main considerations are weight (ballasted systems avoid roof penetrations), ensuring adequate drainage around the frames, and leaving space between rows to avoid self-shading.
My roof has multiple orientations — is that a problem?
Not necessarily. East-west split systems are increasingly popular — they generate slightly less total energy than south-facing but spread generation across more of the day, which can be better for self-consumption. Installers can design systems across multiple roof faces to maximise your specific situation.
Should I get a professional survey?
Yes, absolutely. This checker gives a good indication, but a professional survey includes accurate measurements, detailed shading analysis (often using drone imagery or 3D modelling), structural assessment, and electrical survey. Most installers offer free surveys as part of their quote process.
This roof suitability checker provides a quick assessment of your solar potential based on the key factors that affect performance. While a professional survey is essential before installation, this tool helps you understand whether solar is likely to work for your property and which factors might need addressing. Even if your score isn’t perfect, many limitations can be overcome with the right system design, equipment choices, or minor modifications. You can also check the full guide on how many solar panels you need
