The best roof direction for solar panels in Canada is south, because the sun travels across the southern sky. South-facing panels get the most direct sunlight over the day and the year. East- and west-facing roofs also work; they produce less in total but can still make solar worthwhile, especially if you use more electricity in the morning or evening. North-facing roofs are rarely a good choice.
Why south is the best roof direction for solar panels
In Canada, the sun rises in the east, arcs across the southern part of the sky and sets in the west. It’s lower in the sky in winter and higher in summer. A south-facing surface faces that path most directly, so it collects the most energy.
Roof direction
How it performs
Good to know
South
Highest yearly output
The benchmark for solar estimates
Southeast or southwest
Close to south
Usually an excellent choice
East or west
Noticeably lower total output
Produces more in the morning (east) or afternoon (west)
North
Lowest output
Usually avoided, especially on steeper roofs
The exact difference depends on your roof’s tilt, your location and shading, so ask your installer for a production estimate for each roof face.
Roof tilt matters as much as the best roof direction for solar panels
Choosing the best roof direction for solar panels is only half the picture; the angle matters too. Natural Resources Canada’s photovoltaic potential maps show how much a south-facing kilowatt of panels produces at different tilts:
City
Tilted at latitude (kWh/kW/yr)
Flat, 0° (kWh/kW/yr)
Vertical, 90° (kWh/kW/yr)
Calgary
1,291
996
1,003
Toronto
1,163
1,013
802
Montréal
1,190
969
867
Halifax
1,073
931
763
Vancouver
1,007
892
716
Most sloped Canadian roofs fall between these extremes, and a moderate tilt facing south or close to it produces well. Very low slopes produce less, and snow slides off them less easily; see our guide to snow on solar panels.
Can east- or west-facing roofs work?
Yes. East- and west-facing arrays are common in Canada. They make sense when:
Your timing matches. East panels produce more in the morning, west panels more in the late afternoon. That can line up with when your household uses power.
You split the array. Putting panels on both the east and west faces spreads production across the day and uses more of your roof.
Your electricity rates are high enough. Whether a lower-producing roof still pays back depends on your rates and incentives. Run the numbers with our solar ROI calculator in Excel.
What about flat roofs?
On a flat roof, panels can be mounted on racks that tilt them toward the south. That can recover much of the output lost by lying flat, but the rows must be spaced so they don’t shade each other, which uses more roof area. Ballasted racking (held down by weight) may be used where roof penetrations aren’t wanted, so the roof must be checked for the extra load. Our guide to roof space for solar panels explains how spacing affects system size.
How to check your roof direction
Use a compass app. Stand facing the slope of the roof you’re checking.
Look at a satellite map. Most map apps show which way your roof faces.
Ask for a site assessment. Installers use satellite imagery and shading tools to model each roof face.
Tips if you can’t get the best roof direction for solar panels
Avoid shade. Shade from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings can cut output more than direction does.
Consider panel-level electronics. Microinverters or optimizers reduce losses when parts of an array are shaded or face different directions.
Size the system to your usage. See what kWp means to understand system size.
Compare real estimates. Ask each installer for estimated annual production (kWh), not just system size (kW).
The bottom line
South is the best roof direction for solar panels in Canada, with southeast and southwest close behind. East- and west-facing roofs produce less but can still be a good investment, especially with a split array. Get a production estimate for each roof face, check the tilt and shading, and compare the numbers before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is south the best direction for solar panels in Canada?
Yes. South-facing panels receive the most direct sunlight over the year in Canada. Southeast and southwest are close behind.
Are east- and west-facing solar panels worth it?
They often are. They produce less in total than south-facing panels, but they can still pay back, especially when both faces are used and electricity rates are higher.
What angle should solar panels be in Canada?
NRCan’s data shows south-facing panels tilted near your latitude produce the most over a year. Most sloped roofs are close enough to work well, and your installer will estimate output for your actual roof pitch.
