Why fit solar panels on a north face?

[Ivy Branigan]

Probably because they think the houses look prettier if prospective owners can’t see the panels from the front

[Jessica Yorath]

Not to be seen from the road. Aesthetics is the reason.

[John Smith]

Because it still increases the EPC rating even though they do nothing.

[Joseph Adams]

They don’t do nothing, but are definitely less productive than south facing panels.

[John Smith]

We have a table with all orientations. Direct north generates about 50% annually compared to direct South. Some people are motivated by appearance to not want to look at solar panels, but given the choice, halving the output is pretty dumb.

[Kerry Johnstone]

not by much in the SAP software. Maybe in reality they aren’t as effective but in design and assessment they are still 50-75% as effective as south facing panels

[Lisa Smith]

you must not know a lot then. Did you know that the panels work from the daylight, so even on a cloudy day they still get you electric. Don’t need to be south facing. Just so you know. They actually do quite a lot for the EPC even East/West facing

[Louise Outen]

Ticks the EPC & planning boxes, nothing more

[Mandy Magill]

To meet the regulations by adding the minimum amount, without wasting good roof space.

[Nina Orpington]

Maybe the sun in the morning shines on that side and then moves into the other side in the afternoon.

[Charles Parker]

Solar panels generate electricity facing north. However, they generate approx. 30% less than facing south.

Probably the main reason is that the building’s covenant prevents them being seen seen from the road. Poundbury in Dorset has such a covenant. An exception is the cafe In the park which has panels.

[Paul Moore]

Could be a few reasons, maybe the council have said no to having them on the front roof, we had a job where we were not allowed to install on a perfect roof because it was on a flight path and the airport complained, even though we explained about the anti glare etc they still said no, had a few jobs where panels are not allowed to face the main highway etc etc or possibly its just the builder and architects choice so it looks nicer from the front loads of possibilities.

Maybe its already sold and it was the buyers choice to install like this

[Rebecca Harrow]

Box ticking for new build regulations rather than actually doing a good job.

[Rich Taylor]

Production of solar depending on where the panel face (posted some time ago when I was a SolarEdge designer – now retired )

[Robert Tomlinson]

Are these actually single houses or multiple in one building. If the latter then possibly the owner of the north side apartment wants panels while the south side owner does not.

[Sally Jones]

North facing will generate something… nothing like south west then east… in spring and autumn they generate most

We did get a quote from our installer as I wondered about it, as our south facing roof has velux and à balcony so limited panel space decided against and went with battery which has been best investment

[Tara Ferguson]

Developers in Cambridge did this on a couple of houses. Then tried to deny they had messed up for months before finally moving them! Also they only put on a token two panels on roofs that could easily have taken 8.

[Micheal Carter]

Raise it with your MP. These type of tick box installs are worse than useless. They allow builders to get planning approval, they allow them to build bigger houses which are sold for a premium, they trick buyers into thinking the house runs on green energy and they don’t contribute to the reduction in environmental impact in any way.

Your MP should be escalating this

[Victoria Ringswell]

On the plus side they have left the nice big south east facing roof clear for a decent self installed system. It would have been worse if they had put just 2 or 3 inbuilt panels in the middle of that south east facing roof!