Path-Q Solar

Will a north-facing roof make rooftop solar impractical for my home?

Answer

Not necessarily. A north-facing roof may produce less energy than a more favorable orientation in many Northern Hemisphere locations, but it may be favorable in the Southern Hemisphere. Solar can still be practical if the roof has enough area, good exposure, suitable pitch, limited shade, and acceptable economics. A production model is needed rather than relying on orientation alone.

Key points

  • Hemisphere, latitude, orientation, roof pitch, shading, and local weather jointly affect production.
  • Other roof planes, ground mounting, or a lower system size may provide better alternatives.
  • Panels on a less favorable roof can still contribute if their incremental cost and production are acceptable.
  • The decision should compare annual and seasonal production with the home's electricity use.

What it depends on

  • Hemisphere and latitude
  • Exact roof orientation and pitch
  • Shading and obstructions
  • Available roof area and system cost
  • Electricity use and desired offset

Risks and trade-offs

  • A less favorably oriented design may need more area or capacity to produce the desired energy.
  • Using marginal roof space can raise cost per unit of expected production.
  • A generic orientation rule can overlook hemisphere, latitude, site-specific roof geometry, and shading.

Information you may need

  • Property location, hemisphere, and latitude
  • Roof-plane measurements, orientation, and pitch
  • Shade analysis and obstruction locations
  • Annual electricity use
  • Site-specific production and cost estimates

Your next step

What to do next

Ask for a production comparison for the north-facing roof and every practical alternative roof plane, including the assumptions used for hemisphere, latitude, shading, and pitch.

Path-Q

Find the right next step

Answer a few questions and we’ll narrow your options.

Loading…

SQ00220