Can I Get Solar Panels If My Roof Faces East/West and Not South
Can I Get Solar Panels If My Roof Faces East/West and Not South?
Yes, you can – and it can still be a very good investment. It is a common misconception that solar panels only make sense on south-facing roofs. With modern panels, which are light-sensitive and highly efficient even in diffuse lighting, east- and west-facing roofs can actually provide a more even and usable electricity production throughout the day.
How Does It Work in Practice?
When the roof faces south, it gets the most sun in the middle of the day. But this is often also when electricity consumption in the home is lowest. If, on the other hand, you have panels on both the east and west sides, you get production early in the morning and late in the afternoon – and this matches much better with the times when the family is home and using electricity.
Comparison of Roof Direction
What does it mean economically? A 10 kWp system on an east/west roof can in practice produce 8,000–9,500 kWh per year depending on slope, shadows, and technology. With EcoRay's UV-coated and light-sensitive panels, you typically get only 5–10% lower production than a south-facing system – but in return, higher self-consumption because the electricity is produced when you use it. If you have a battery and intelligent control connected, you can achieve just as good – or in some cases better – economy because: You store morning and afternoon production and use it in the evening and at night. You reduce waste to the grid, which is otherwise sold at a low price. You can participate in grid balancing, which does not depend on maximum peak power.
Real-Life Example
A customer in Aarhus only had access to an east-facing roof with a 32-degree slope. With EcoRay's high-efficiency panels and a 10 kWh battery, the system produced 8,600 kWh in the first year – and covered 72% of the family's electricity consumption, corresponding to approx. DKK 14,500 in annual savings. With grid balancing, the total gain increased to over DKK 16,000 annually.
At EcoRay:
We always design the system according to the actual conditions of the roof. If you have an east/west roof, we actively utilize it in the design: Panels are optimally distributed between both sides to even out production. The battery is dimensioned to collect surplus and maximize self-consumption. The app shows you live data for both roof surfaces, so you can follow the details. In short: If you have an east/west roof, you can still get great economic value, a lower electricity bill, and full control – especially with a battery and intelligent control.