East-west vs north-facing roof: which is better?

Direct answer

A clear northerly pitch is still the classic energy-maximising orientation in most of Australia. East-west can spread generation into morning and afternoon, which may match household load better. South-facing is usually last resort. Shade from a tree, a chimney, or a two-storey neighbour beats any orientation slogan.

The parent page is how rooftop solar works. We will not invent a kWh delta for “west versus north on a 20-degree roof in Penrith.”

Why north is the textbook

In the southern hemisphere the sun spends the day on the northern side of the sky. A north plane sees more of it, especially in winter when the sun sits lower — a bigger deal in Hobart, Melbourne, and Canberra than in Darwin. That is geometry, not a brand ranking.

Why east-west is not a mistake

Many Australian hip roofs do not offer a clean north rectangle. An east-west split can use more of the roof and move energy into the school run and the evening cook-up. If you are out at midday, a noon peak exports to a feed-in tariff that may be lower than the retail rate you later import. See rebates for why a FiT is not a rebate, and cost for sizing from the bill.

Western planes pick up hot summer afternoons — useful for cooling loads in Adelaide or Perth, and also the hottest modules. Temperature behaviour belongs in the panels conversation.

Shade is the veto

A liquidambar to the north-west, a new two-storey next door, or a vent in the middle of the only good bay will do more damage than choosing east-west over north. Ask for a shade assessment. Module-level electronics can mop up partial shade; they do not delete a winter shadow. See inverters.

How to decide without a yield promise

Walk the roof. Name the usable bays. Name when you use power. Name any export limit. Then let a CEC-accredited designer model self-consumption. We will not publish a “best orientation 2026” trophy.

Related: string vs micro vs hybrid, mounting. Last reviewed 25 September 2026.

Load shape versus annual energy

North still wins annual energy on a clean plane. East-west can win the bill if you are out at noon and home at 4 pm. South is last resort, especially in winter at Melbourne or Hobart latitudes. Shade is the veto.

Ask for a shade assessment. See how solar works, cost, inverters, and export limits.

Carry this into the quote meeting

North for annual energy on a clean plane. East-west for morning and afternoon loads. Shade vetoes both. South is last resort.

Parent hubs and siblings are linked above. Last reviewed 25 September 2026. General information only.