Evaluating Your Roof for Solar - A Plain-English Guide
Last verified: September 2026
How to size up your own roof for solar — direction, angle, and above all shade — safely from the ground, before anyone climbs a ladder. Want an honest read on your roof? Call (330) 200-8042.
Evaluating Your Roof, at a Glance
Your roof is where most of the solar decision lives. The things that matter are which way it faces (south is best in Ohio; east and west are good), its angle, and above all its shade — especially at midday. Usable area, roof material, and the roof's age round it out, and if the roof won't do, a ground mount often will. You can judge all of this safely from the ground — please never climb up. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 Does my roof have to face south for solar?
South is best in Ohio, but east- and west-facing roofs work well too, spread across morning or afternoon. North-facing slopes are weakest — but most homes have several faces, and an installer uses the sunniest.
2 How much does shade hurt solar?
A lot, especially at midday when panels work hardest. Trees, chimneys, dormers, and neighbors' buildings all cast shade. Shade-friendly microinverters or optimizers help, and trimming a tree sometimes opens up a whole roof.
3 My roof is old — can I still go solar?
You can, but if it's near the end of its life, reroof first. Panels last decades, and taking them down later to replace the roof is costly. Have an installer or roofer confirm its condition.
4 What roof materials work for solar?
Asphalt shingle is easiest, and standing-seam metal is solar-friendly. Tile, slate, and wood shake are all doable but need an installer experienced with them and careful flashing to stay watertight.
5 Can I check my roof myself?
Judge it from the ground — note direction, watch where shade falls, and take photos from the yard. Please never climb up; falls are far too serious, and a proper installer measures everything precisely anyway.
6 What if my roof just isn't suitable?
Consider a ground-mounted array in a sunny part of the yard, which can be aimed ideally and kept clear of shade. For many rural homes with land, it's actually the better choice — see our roof-versus-ground guide.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Wondering whether your roof is right for solar? Send me a few photos from the ground and I'll give you an honest first read — no ladder, no pressure, and nothing to sell you. If it's promising, I'll help you get ready for installer visits. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).