Solar on east and west-facing roofs
Not every roof faces south, and in Oakengates, as in much of Telford, plenty of homes have roofs facing east and west. That doesn't rule solar out.
What the data says
We ran PVGIS for Telford. Each kWp of panels produces about:
| Roof faces | kWh per kWp a year | Compared with south |
|---|---|---|
| South | 971 | – |
| East | 775 | About 20% less |
| West | 767 | About 21% less |
PVGIS 5.3, 35° pitch, unshaded, 14% losses. The Energy Saving Trust gives a similar 15 to 20% reduction for east or west roofs.
Panels on both slopes
On an east-west roof, panels can go on both sides. East panels generate more in the morning and west panels more in the late afternoon, so output is spread across the day. That can suit households who are home in the morning or early evening. Your installer may suggest an inverter with two inputs, or optimisers.
Older terraces near the centre
Closer to the town centre, many homes are older terraces. Check the roof condition first and ask about scaffolding access if there's no side access. If your home is in a conservation area, check the extra rules with Telford & Wrekin Council.
Would a battery help?
West-facing panels generate later in the day, closer to when many people get home, which can mean less need for storage. East-facing panels peak in the morning. See battery storage to weigh it up.
Grants and help with costs in Oakengates
Oakengates is in Telford & Wrekin. Warm Homes: Local Grant enquiries go to Telford Energy Advice. See Telford Energy Advice and the GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant page. Solar panels and batteries for homes are also zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027 (HMRC Notice 708/6). Our grants guide covers ECO4, the Warm Homes Loan and export payments.
Costs
The Energy Saving Trust gives about £7,600 for a typical 4.5kWp system (fuel prices July 2026). Your quote depends on your roof and access. See the cost guide for sourced ranges by size, or try the rough estimator.
Choosing an installer
Whoever quotes, check them on the MCS register and confirm their consumer code. Here's how to check an installer.
Solar questions from Oakengates
Is an east-west roof worth putting solar on?
Which council handles planning in Oakengates?
Sources
- EU Joint Research Centre PVGIS 5.3 (Telford, 52.678N 2.445W, 1kWp, 35° pitch, 14% losses) (run 25 Oct 2026)
- Telford & Wrekin Council: Planning and building control (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- Telford & Wrekin Council: Affordable warmth / Telford Energy Advice (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: energy-saving materials (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels (fuel prices July 2026; checked 25 Oct 2026)
- MCS: Find an installer (checked 25 Oct 2026)
Figures change. We review this page regularly; if you spot something out of date, tell us through the form.