North-facing roofs are generally not suitable for rooftop solar in the UK. Here is an honest breakdown of what the alternatives are and what generation you can realistically expect.
The honest answer
North-facing roofs generate 70–75% less electricity than south-facing roofs. In most cases, a ground-mounted system or east-west split installation will be a better investment. We will always advise you honestly about whether solar makes financial sense for your property.
Based on a standard 4kW system at 35-degree pitch in the Midlands (approximately 3,800 kWh/year for south-facing):
If your property has both east and west-facing roof slopes, an east-west split installation captures morning and afternoon sun, producing around 80–85% of south-facing output with excellent daily distribution.
A ground-mounted array in your garden can be positioned at any orientation and pitch. If you have suitable land, this is often the best solution for properties without a south-facing roof.
If your garage, workshop, or outbuilding has a south-facing roof, this is often a viable alternative to the main house roof — sometimes producing more electricity per panel.
Flat roofs can use mounting frames to orient panels at the optimal south-facing 35-degree angle, making them one of the most flexible installation options.
In a few specific circumstances, north-facing panels can still make financial sense:
Our surveys are completely free and we will always tell you honestly whether solar makes financial sense for your specific property.