East vs West vs South: The Best Roof Orientation for Solar in Ireland

One of the biggest factors that determines how much solar energy your home can produce is the direction your roof faces. In Ireland, where weather patterns and sunlight angles are unique, homeowners often ask whether a south facing roof is the only option or if east and west roofs can perform just as well.

The good news is that solar works on all three orientations. South facing roofs deliver the highest output, but east and west roofs often provide a better spread of generation throughout the day. In many cases, the difference in real world savings is smaller than you might expect.

This guide breaks down the benefits of each orientation and helps you understand which is best for your home.

Why Roof Orientation Matters

Solar panels are most efficient when they receive direct sunlight. The angle and direction of your roof determine how much sunlight the panels get across the day. Ireland’s latitude and mild climate also play a role, which means the ideal setup here is different from southern Europe.

If you want to explore how much solar power you really need for your home, our guide to How Much Solar Power Do You Really Need in Ireland is a useful starting point.

South Facing Roofs

A south facing roof receives the highest amount of direct sunlight in Ireland. This orientation typically produces the most electricity across the year and is considered the gold standard for solar installations.

Benefits of south facing solar

  • Highest annual output
  • Strong performance in winter
  • Best return on investment
  • Most predictable yield for long term planning

South is ideal if your goal is maximum generation and faster payback.

East Facing Roofs

East facing roofs generate more power in the morning and less in the late afternoon. Although the total yearly output is lower than south facing systems, the difference is often much smaller than most homeowners expect.

Benefits of east facing solar

  • Earlier daily generation which suits homes with morning usage
  • Lower shading risk if nearby buildings sit to the west
  • Very efficient when combined with battery storage

If you want to understand how shading impacts your output, you can read our guide How Shading Affects Your Solar Output.

West Facing Roofs

West facing roofs produce the bulk of their electricity in the late afternoon and early evening. For many Irish homes, this aligns well with real energy use, especially for families who are out during the day.

Benefits of west facing solar

  • More energy produced during peak household usage times
  • Great synergy with battery storage
  • Useful for EV owners who return home and charge in the evening

If you are pairing solar with an EV, our article Can You Use Solar to Power Your EV at Home explains the benefits in detail.

East West Split Systems

Some homes have both east and west pitches. In this setup, panels can be split across both sides to deliver a smooth and extended generation curve from early morning to late evening.

Benefits of east west split systems

  • Very consistent generation across the day
  • Less midday overproduction than south facing systems
  • Works extremely well with heat pumps, batteries, and EV charging
  • Often produces more usable energy than a pure south system

For families with varied daily routines, an east west layout can match real world usage better than a peak heavy south facing system.

How Much Output Will You Lose Compared to South?

In Ireland, the performance gap is smaller than many people expect.

Approximate yearly yield differences:

  • South: 100 percent
  • East: 80 to 90 percent
  • West: 80 to 90 percent
  • East West split: 85 to 95 percent

This means most Irish roofs are suitable for high performing solar installations, even if they are not perfectly aligned to the south.

To understand how yearly production and panel age impact your output, see Solar Panel Degradation Over 25 Years.

What About Roof Angle?

Most Irish homes have roof pitches between 30 and 40 degrees, which is close to ideal for year round generation. Even shallow or steep roofs continue to perform well because of Ireland’s diffuse sunlight.

If your roof angle is unusual, the right mounting frame can optimise the tilt without major structural changes.

Other Factors That Matter More Than Orientation

Roof direction is important, but it is not the only consideration. In many cases, these factors have a greater influence on total output:

  • Shading from trees or chimneys
  • Roof condition and available space
  • Inverter choice
  • Panel efficiency and degradation
  • Installation quality

You can read more about the differences in inverter setups in Microinverters vs String Inverters.

Which Orientation Is Best for Irish Homes?

Here is the simple answer:

  • South is best for maximum yearly production
  • East is ideal for homes with morning energy use
  • West suits homes with evening demand and EV charging
  • East West split offers the most balanced all day generation

The best choice depends on your roof and your typical energy habits. With modern technology, almost every Irish home can achieve excellent solar performance regardless of orientation.

If you want a property specific assessment, our team at WattCharger can design the best layout for your home and help you take advantage of SEAI grants and long term system savings.

 

Blog Author: Rowan Egan