36 – How do my roof direction and roof pitch affect solar panel production? The placement of your solar panels in relation to the sun significantly impacts how much electricity your system can produce. The roof's direction (azimuth) and pitch (angle) are key factors that, along with weather conditions and local shading, determine your system's efficiency.

Optimal direction and pitch

Direction: The ideal solar panel system in Denmark faces south (180°). Here, the panels receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day, and production is most consistent. Pitch: The optimal pitch is typically between 30° and 45°. This best balances summer and winter production.

But what if the roof doesn't face perfectly south?

It's actually not crucial for the roof to face exactly south to have an efficient system. A roof direction towards southwest or southeast (typically between 135° and 225°) can still deliver around 90–95% of the optimal production. Less favorable directions like west or east can yield approx. 75–85% of production. North-facing roof surfaces are generally not profitable for solar panels, as production here is significantly lower.

How does the pitch affect it?

Flatter pitches (e.g., 20°) increase summer production but reduce winter production when the sun is low in the sky. Steeper pitches (e.g., 50°) are better for winter but may yield slightly less production in the summer months.

Production in practice

A typical 10 kWp system with an optimal south-facing roof surface and a 35° pitch can produce approx. 9,000–10,000 kWh annually. With an east- or west-facing roof surface, production typically falls to 7,500–8,500 kWh.

What does this mean for you?

Even if your roof is not perfectly oriented, you can still gain a financial advantage by installing solar panels. With a battery and intelligent control, you can utilize the produced electricity even better, especially during peak load periods. EcoRay always advises you specifically based on your roof and your consumption, so you get the most out of your solar panel system.