Is this tool free to use?

Yes. The tilt and orientation estimator is free and needs no sign-up. It runs entirely in your browser.

Why does this tool not show a yield percentage?

Direction and pitch alone cannot produce a defensible yield estimate. Location, shading, weather, row spacing and the selected equipment also matter, so use location-specific design software for production estimates.

Where do I check shading from nearby objects and row spacing?

Use the Near-Shade Sun-Path Check. It draws the sun's path for the site's latitude and longitude, lists when the sun is behind a tree, building or chimney you describe, and gives the row spacing that is shade-free for a date and time window you choose. It does not estimate yield either.

Can I check a live inverter reading against the sun?

Use the Right-Now Output Spot Check. It builds a clear-sky ceiling for the moment you stamp, from the sun's position, the array and your own figures, and compares the inverter's live reading with it. A ceiling for one moment cannot produce a defensible yield estimate either.

Design Tool

Roof Direction & Pitch Check

Record a roof's direction and pitch, then read source-backed generation-timing guidance without an invented yield percentage.

Sources listedReviewed July 2026Our methodology

Inputs

View result

Roof direction the panels faceUse the direction the module face points, not the roof ridge.

Roof pitchEnter the measured or documented pitch from 0° to 90°.

Live result

Edit inputs

Direction

North

Entered pitch

22°

Broad daytime exposure

North-facing roof areas usually receive the most sunlight across the day.

This is an orientation check, not a yield simulation. Use location-specific design software for production estimates and account for shading, row spacing, weather and the actual equipment.

Save or file this result

Key takeaways

Records the direction and measured or documented pitch of a roof area.
Explains whether the aspect shifts generation earlier or later in the day.
Leaves production estimates to location-specific design software rather than presenting unsupported precision.

How it works

This records the roof direction and pitch, then gives a source-backed read on when that aspect tends to generate. It does not manufacture a yield percentage without location and weather data.

Direction. North-facing roof areas usually receive the most sunlight over the day. East shifts generation earlier; west shifts it later.
Pitch. Record the actual roof or frame angle. Flat-roof tilt frames can change row spacing and inter-row shading, so pitch alone cannot predict output. The Near-Shade Sun-Path Check looks at nearby obstructions and row spacing for a window you choose.

The direction guidance follows the Australian Government Solar Consumer Guide. Use location-specific design software for production estimates, and see our orientation field guide for the practical context.

Estimates only: for guidance, not a quote or a compliance certificate. Verify against the current AS/NZS standards and a licensed design. The maths runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to Wattbench unless you sign in and deliberately save the result.

Source ledger1 source

RegulatorDesign considerations — Australian Government Solar Consumer Guide

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Good to know

Frequently asked

Is this tool free to use?: Yes. The tilt and orientation estimator is free and needs no sign-up. It runs entirely in your browser.
Is my data stored or sent anywhere?: The calculation runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to Wattbench unless you sign in and deliberately select Save result.
Why does this tool not show a yield percentage?: Direction and pitch alone cannot produce a defensible yield estimate. Location, shading, weather, row spacing and the selected equipment also matter, so use location-specific design software for production estimates.
Where do I check shading from nearby objects and row spacing?: Use the Near-Shade Sun-Path Check. It draws the sun's path for the site's latitude and longitude, lists when the sun is behind a tree, building or chimney you describe, and gives the row spacing that is shade-free for a date and time window you choose. It does not estimate yield either.
Can I check a live inverter reading against the sun?: Use the Right-Now Output Spot Check. It builds a clear-sky ceiling for the moment you stamp, from the sun's position, the array and your own figures, and compares the inverter's live reading with it. A ceiling for one moment cannot produce a defensible yield estimate either.

Keep calculating

More tools

Site Visit Check

Near-Shade Sun-Path Check

Find when a tree, building or chimney near the array has the sun behind it, on a solstice and equinox sun-path chart, and the row spacing that is shade-free for a window you choose.

Sun-path chart · months and times behind each obstruction · row spacing shade-free for your window

Callout Check

Right-Now Output Spot Check

Check whether the inverter's live reading is plausible for a clear sky, against a clear-sky ceiling built offline from the sun's position, the array and your own figures, with no irradiance meter.

Clear-sky ceiling · the working · above it, below your threshold or can't judge

Sizing Tool

Solar System Size Calculator

Turn your daily energy use, location-specific sun hours and entered system losses into an indicative array size and panel count.

Array kW · panel count · effective sun input