A Simple Guide for Homes in Wells and Across Somerset

One of the most common questions we hear at Tincknell Solar is:

“Do my solar panels need to face south to work well?”

It’s a great question, especially if your home in Wells, Glastonbury, Frome or another Somerset village doesn’t have a perfectly south‑facing roof.

The short answer is:

No, you don’t have to have a south‑facing roof to install solar panels.
But, yes, orientation does affect how much energy your system can produce.

Why People Think South Is Best

Solar panels produce electricity from sunlight. In the northern hemisphere (like the UK), the sun spends most of its time in the southern part of the sky.

For that reason, installing panels on a south‑facing roof is often considered ideal as they receive more sunlight throughout the day and can produce the highest annual output.

However, ideal isn’t always necessary, and in many cases, very good performance can still be achieved with other orientations.

What Roof Orientations Work Well

Here’s how different roof directions typically perform for solar panels in the UK:

• South: Best overall performance
• South‑West / South‑East: Nearly as good, very strong output
• West / East: Good performance, especially in summer and during parts of the day
• North: Least energy production, but still capable in the right circumstances

Homes in Somerset often have a mix of roof orientations, and many systems are designed with panels facing slightly east or west.

How Much Difference Does Roof Orientation Make?

Roof orientation affects how much sunlight your panels receive during the day, but it doesn’t mean panels won’t work on other directions.

For example:

• South‑west can perform within 90–97% of a perfect south orientation
• East or west faces may still generate 70–90% of solar energy compared to due south
• A north‑facing roof may be less efficient but can still produce useful electricity in some setups

Exact figures vary by roof angle, shading, panel quality and other factors, but the key point is this:

You don’t have to miss out on solar just because your roof isn’t perfect.

What Matters More Than Facing South

While orientation does matter, it’s only one part of the picture. Other factors can be just as important, or even more so:

Roof Pitch (Angle)

Solar panels work best when they’re tilted at a reasonable angle to the sun. A roof that is too flat or too steep may lose potential output.

Shading

Panels work best in full daylight with minimal shade. Trees, chimneys or nearby buildings casting shade can reduce energy production more than orientation alone.

Roof Space

Having enough space to install the number of panels you need often matters more than whether it faces exactly south.

System Design

A professional solar installer can design the system based on your roof’s direction, pitch and shading, to get the most from your roof.

Solar Panels and Winter Performance

Some people worry that non‑south roofs won’t work as well in winter, but this isn’t usually a major issue.

Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not heat. Even in winter, east, west and south‑facing panels will still generate useful energy. In fact, winter output is generally lower across all orientations because days are shorter, not because of direction.

What If My Roof Really Isn’t Suitable?

If your home in Somerset has limited roof space or challenging orientation, there are still options:

1. Ground‑Mounted Solar Panels

If you have space in a garden or field, a ground‑mounted array can be positioned for optimum sun, often better than an awkward roof.

2. Hybrid Systems

Combining solar with battery storage lets you capture as much energy as possible during the day for evening use.

3. Adjustable Mounts

In some cases, solar panels can be mounted with tilt frames that improve the angle and orientation independently of your roof.

Do I Need a South‑Facing Roof? Final Takeaway

No, a south‑facing roof is not strictly necessary for solar panels in Somerset.

While it often helps maximise energy production, many other roof orientations, especially south‑west, south‑east, east and west, can still deliver strong performance.

Modern solar systems are designed individually, taking into account:

• Roof direction
• Shading
• Roof angle
• Household energy use

And that means even homes without a perfect south orientation can benefit greatly from solar panels.

Local Solar Panel Installers in Somerset

At Tincknell Solar, we install high‑quality solar panel systems across Wells, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Frome and villages throughout Somerset.

We’ll assess:

• Your roof’s orientation and pitch
• How much electricity your home uses
• Whether solar battery storage makes sense for you

If you’re thinking about solar, even with a non‑south‑facing roof, we’d be glad to help.

Contact Tincknell Solar today for a free, no‑obligation solar assessment and quote.