Roof suitability
Is my roof suitable for solar?
Roof direction is the single biggest factor in whether solar panels work well on your home. Enter your postcode below — we'll show you your home, estimate which way your main roof faces, and give you a Solarable Report.
Check your roof
A Solarable Report shows your likely roof direction, a Solarable Score, and listed installers covering your postcode.
What matters
What makes a roof suitable for solar.
Three things matter for any UK roof:
- Direction. South-facing roofs catch the most sun across the day. South-east and south-west roofs are nearly as good. East and west roofs are often still suitable, especially with a battery. North-facing roofs catch the least direct sun.
- Pitch. UK roofs typically pitch between 30° and 50°, which is close to ideal for solar panels. Flat roofs work too, with panels mounted on a frame to angle them.
- Shade. Chimneys, neighbouring trees, and other buildings can cut output more than you'd expect on smaller roofs.
The roof check estimates your direction from public UK building data. It's the most useful first answer; an installer survey checks pitch and shading on the day.
Honest framing
What "suitable" actually means.
Suitable doesn't mean perfect. It means the roof is a sensible candidate for a solar installation that pays back over a reasonable time. We use five honest bands in the Solarable Report:
- Strong potential — your roof catches plenty of sun and is well-aligned.
- Good potential — workable for solar; expect a healthy installation.
- Possible potential — workable, but more sensitive to system design and shading.
- May be difficult — direction alone makes a strong installation harder, but a roof survey can still find options.
- Not enough information — we couldn't estimate your direction; a roof survey is the right next step.
In every case, the right next step is a roof survey from a listed installer.
Common questions
FAQs.
Does the roof direction estimate work for terraced houses?
Yes — terraced houses usually have a clear front and back face, and the building outline reflects that well. The Solarable Report will mention "high confidence" when the direction is read cleanly.
What if my roof is unusually shaped?
L-shaped, T-shaped, and irregular roofs are common. The estimate is more cautious for these — the report shows "medium" or "low" confidence and you can override the direction manually. Either way, the installer survey is the final authority on roof shape.
Can solar panels go on a flat roof?
Yes. Flat-roof installations use mounting frames to tilt the panels at an optimal angle. Output is comparable to a pitched roof of similar size. A flat-roof installer can confirm whether your roof structure can support the additional weight.
Will the roof survey cost me anything?
Most listed UK installers offer a free initial survey. Anyone charging upfront for a "site visit" before quoting is an outlier — ask why before paying.
Do I need to know my exact roof dimensions?
No. The installer takes measurements during the survey. Your job is to decide whether to book the survey; Solarable helps with that first decision.
Related
Keep going.
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Annual benefit and payback in honest UK ranges.
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