Solar Site Selection: How to Pick the Best Roof for Solar

The four checks

1) Orientation — south-facing is best, east/west loses ~17%. 2) Shading — trees, chimneys, neighbors. 3) Roof condition — needs 15+ years of life, or re-roof first. 4) Area — a 6 kW system needs ~350–420 sq ft of usable roof plus fire-code setbacks.

Tools to pre-check yourself

Use Google Maps satellite view to eyeball orientation and shade, check your roof age and material from your home records, and measure usable roof area. Installers run professional shading analysis (sometimes satellite, ideally site-visit).

When the roof is wrong

A north-facing, heavily shaded, or aging roof is not a dead end — ground mounts (with more permitting) or re-roofing can fix it, but each adds cost. Be honest about your site before paying for design work.

What makes a good site for solar?

South-facing roof, minimal shading, 15+ years of roof life, and ~350+ sq ft of usable area for a typical system.

How do I know if my roof is good for solar?

Check orientation on satellite view, estimate shade, confirm roof age/material, and measure usable area. Installers confirm with a shading analysis.

Can I get solar with a bad roof?

Yes — re-roof first, or consider a ground mount. Both add cost, so factor them into your payback math.