East or West Solar Panels: Manchester 2025 Guide

Thinking about going solar in Manchester but your roof doesn't face south? You're not alone. Most Mancunian homes have east or west-facing roofs, and here's the good news: they work brilliantly for solar. East and west solar panels typically generate around 80–85% of the energy that south-facing panels produce in the UK. The real difference isn't how much power they make – it's when they make it.

Quick take: Both east solar panel and west solar panel orientations are viable for Manchester homes. The choice comes down to when you use the most electricity – mornings favour east, evenings favour west. If you've got both roof faces available, using them together often delivers the best results.

Why Solar Panel Orientation Matters

Solar panels generate electricity by capturing sunlight, so the direction they face impacts performance. In the UK, panels produce the most energy when facing due south at an optimal tilt, since the sun's path is mostly to the south. But east and west solar panel setups can still generate significant amounts of electricity – typically around 80–85% as much energy as a similarly sized south-facing system.

Orientation affects not only the total energy output but also when that energy is produced during the day. For Manchester homes, understanding when your panels will perform best helps you get the most from your investment.

East Solar Panel vs West Solar Panel: What's the Difference?

Production Timing: The primary difference between east solar panel and west solar panel setups is when they generate power. East solar panel arrays capture the morning sunlight, producing most of their electricity before midday. West solar panel systems perform best from midday through the afternoon and early evening, coinciding with when many families return home and energy usage peaks.

Total Energy Output: In terms of overall kWh produced, east solar panel and west solar panel setups are more similar than you might expect. Real-world data from one UK home showed a west solar panel array generating only about 5% more energy over a year than an east solar panel array – essentially a negligible difference.

How Much Energy Do East and West Panels Produce?

On a per-panel basis, an east solar panel or west solar panel in Manchester will generate roughly 15–20% less electricity than the same panel oriented due south. An east solar panel at a decent tilt can receive about 80–86% of the solar energy that a south-facing panel would, and a west solar panel about 78–86%.

However, many homes in Manchester have roofs that face both east and west. By installing panels on both sides, you can often compensate for the per-panel loss in orientation. More panels spread across east and west roofs often generate more total energy than a smaller number of panels on a south roof – the increased panel count can offset the lower efficiency per panel.

When Does East or West Make More Sense?

Morning vs Evening Consumption: If your household's electricity demand is higher in the morning, an east solar panel array can be beneficial since it generates the most power in the AM hours. If your peak usage is in the late afternoon or evening, west solar panel setups will align better by producing more energy during that window.

Time-of-Use Energy Rates: Peak rates often occur in late afternoon or early evening when national demand is high. A west solar panel system that's still generating around 4–7 pm can offset expensive peak electricity from the grid. For someone with expensive evening rates, a west orientation might make more financial sense.

Shading and Obstacles: Evaluate if one side of your roof gets more sun exposure than the other. Local factors (tall trees, nearby buildings, chimneys) might shade one side more than the other. Favour the side with fewer shading issues during critical sun hours.

Roof Layout: Many homes in Manchester have an east-west oriented roof ridge, giving you both an east and west face to work with. Utilizing both roof planes gives a balanced generation profile, capturing sunlight from early morning through late afternoon.

Dual Orientation Arrays: East and West Systems on Flat Roofs

When you have a flat roof, a popular approach is the east and west split array: panels are mounted back-to-back in an A-frame configuration, with half facing east and half facing west. This setup has distinct advantages:

Higher Total Yield: With an east and west layout, panels can be placed without gaps between rows, covering the roof surface densely. According to one analysis, an east and west system can generate around 25–30% more annual solar energy than a south-facing system on the same size flat roof.

Smoother Power Curve: East and west arrays produce a broader, flatter generation curve with more production in early morning and late afternoon. This boosts self-consumption because you have solar power during more of the hours when you need electricity.

Maximized Roof Usage: Even though each panel is at a non-optimal angle, the fact you can cover the roof with panels more than compensates. Businesses with large flat roofs in Manchester's city centre often prefer east and west layouts to maximize energy output per square meter.

How Your Location and Utility Rates Affect Orientation Choice

Geographic Location: Your location within the UK affects the sun your panels receive. While areas in the south of the UK get more total sunlight than those further north, the relative difference between south vs east and west holds fairly consistent. Think about climate patterns – if mornings in Manchester are often sunny while afternoons get cloudy, an east orientation could capture that reliable morning sun.

Electricity Tariffs: If you have a tariff with expensive peak rates in late afternoon or early evening, a west solar panel array becomes attractive – it will be generating power during those peak-priced hours. With an east solar panel array, most production is earlier in the day when rates might be lower.

Remember you also get paid for excess energy you don't use: under the Smart Export Guarantee, energy companies will pay you for each unit of solar electricity you export to the grid. If you have a battery setup, you might capture midday surplus anyway. Tailor the orientation to your usage profile and your electric rate plan for maximum savings.

Government and Local Incentives

Installing solar panels in Manchester has become more financially attractive thanks to government incentives:

0% VAT: The UK government currently charges no VAT on residential solar panel installations from 2022 until at least March 2027. This tax break applies regardless of your system's orientation – east, west, north or south.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): The SEG ensures you get paid for any surplus solar energy you export to the grid. The SEG is not tied to orientation in any way – you qualify for it as long as you have a solar installation with an eligible meter or inverter.

ECO4 and Grants: The ECO4 program can fund solar panels (up to 100% of cost) for low-income households or those receiving certain benefits. These schemes are orientation-agnostic – if you qualify, it doesn't matter which way your roof faces.

Solar incentives in the UK do not depend on panel orientation. You can take advantage of all these programs even if your system isn't perfectly south-facing.

Final Thoughts: Should You Choose East or West?

When it comes to east solar panel vs west solar panel orientation, both are viable and highly effective in Manchester. An east or west solar panel array will typically generate around 80–85% of the energy of an equivalent south-facing array. The difference between the two orientations is minor – around 5% difference in annual output.

The decision should boil down to your personal situation: your roof's characteristics and your energy usage habits. If your roof allows it, a mix of both east and west panels can give the best of both worlds. Many homeowners across North Manchester, South Manchester, East Manchester, and West Manchester with non-south roofs are generating thousands of kilowatt-hours a year and seeing strong savings.

Looking to join the solar swarm and power-the-house with clean energy? Get in touch with us at Solar Panels Manchester to discuss your options, or learn more about us. Need maintenance or repairs on an existing system? We've got you covered.

Solar Panel Orientation FAQs

Do solar panels need to face south to work effectively?

No. South-facing is optimal, but panels facing east or west can still produce plenty of electricity in Manchester. East and west solar panel arrays will typically yield around 80%+ of the energy of a south-facing array. Don't write off solar just because you lack a south-facing roof.

Which is better, east solar panel or west solar panel?

Neither orientation is dramatically "better" overall. West solar panel setups may generate slightly more total energy over a year (about 5% difference), but this margin is small. The main difference is timing: east solar panel arrays produce more in the morning, whereas west solar panel systems produce more in the afternoon or early evening. The best choice depends on when you want your solar power delivered.

What if my roof faces north? Can I still install solar panels?

Yes, though the output will be lower. Panels facing true north in the UK might produce only around 50–60% as much energy as the same panels facing south. If you have any east or west roof sections, those would be preferable for panel placement.

Can I put solar panels on both the east and west sides of my roof?

Absolutely – this is a common approach in Manchester. You'll capture sunlight for more hours of the day, effectively extending your solar production from early morning through late afternoon. An east and west split system will have a nicely balanced generation curve and can often yield higher total output than putting all panels on one side alone.

Does the orientation of panels affect my payments or incentives?

No – orientation has no effect on your eligibility for incentives or the rates paid. The Smart Export Guarantee will pay you for each unit of electricity you export, regardless of which direction your panels face. Similarly, the 0% VAT incentive doesn't depend on orientation.

Do I need more panels if they're east or west solar panel setups?

Since east and west solar panel setups produce a bit less than south-facing, you might consider adding an extra panel or two if you have the roof space. An east or west panel might be around 15% less productive than a south panel. Many people install a few more panels across the east and west sides, and can actually end up with higher total generation than a smaller south-only system.