# Solar Roof Orientation, Tilt & Shading Guide

> Best direction and tilt for solar panels in Indore, how much east–west layouts lose, and how to find and avoid shading from tanks, parapets, trees and neighbouring buildings.

Canonical: https://geniussolarservices.com/learn/roof-orientation-shading-guide

In Indore (22.7° N), solar panels produce the most energy over a year when they face due south at a tilt of roughly 15–23°. Facing south-east or south-west loses only a few percent; a split east–west layout loses about 5–12% annually but spreads output across the day. Shading is the bigger risk: water tanks, stair headrooms, parapets, trees and taller neighbours cast long shadows in winter mornings and evenings. Keeping modules clear of shade between about 9 am and 4 pm year-round matters more than a perfect angle.

- **Best direction:** Due south
- **Best tilt:** ≈15–23°
- **East–west loss:** ≈5–12%
- **Shade-free window:** ≈9 am – 4 pm


## Direction

| Orientation | Approx. annual output vs south |
|---|---|
| South | 100% |
| South-east / south-west | ~95–98% |
| East or west (single) | ~85–90% |
| East–west split | ~88–95% |
| North-facing tilt | Avoid |

## Tilt

A tilt close to Indore's latitude (about 20–23°) maximises annual output; 10–15° is common for elevated structures to reduce wind load with only a small loss. Flat (0°) modules collect dust and lose several percent — always give some tilt.

## Finding shade

Walk your roof at 9 am, noon and 4 pm, ideally in December when shadows are longest. Note shadows from:

- Water tanks and stair headroom (mumty)
- Parapet walls, especially on the south side
- Trees, poles, dish antennas
- Taller neighbouring buildings to the south, east or west

A rule of thumb: an obstacle casts a winter shadow roughly **1.5–2 times its height** to the north around mid-morning and mid-afternoon in Indore.

## Fixing shade

1. **Move the array** to the unshaded part of the roof.
2. **Raise it** above the obstacle with an elevated structure — often the cleanest fix.
3. **Split strings** across two MPPT inputs so a shaded string doesn't drag down the other.
4. **Trim trees** where you're allowed to.

Use our [roof suitability check](/roof-suitability-check) for a quick verdict, then book a free survey for a proper shadow study.


Updated: 2026-09-29

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**Genius Solar Services** · G-1, Swarna Palace, Plot No. 1108, Scheme No. 114, Part 1, Vijay Nagar, Near MP Gramin Bank, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452010 · Phone +91 98267 12299, +91 78288 12299, 0731 400 4499 · geniussolarservices@gmail.com · Mon – Sat · 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Source: https://geniussolarservices.com