Should You Remove Trees for Solar Panels?
Sometimes, measure the shade before you cut anything, because the loss is often smaller than it looks. The American Solar Energy Society worked through an example in which a 50-foot tree cut a home array's yearly output by about 2.6%, and a tree plus a nearby barn together cut it by about 5.7%, worth roughly $48 a year on a system producing 8,400 kilowatt-hours annually. The same authors recommend trimming branches or moving the array before removing trees.
The math on tree work changed this year. The IRS says the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025, so homeowners adding solar in 2026 are paying the full cost of the system and any site work themselves. That makes it more important to match the tree work to the actual shade loss. This post covers how much shade matters, which trees cause the most loss, how to measure it, and when trimming is enough.
How Much Does Tree Shade Reduce Solar Output?
It depends on where the tree stands, how tall it is, and which hours of the day it shades the panels. In the American Solar Energy Society's example, published in January 2026 by Steve Moss and Carly Rixham:
A 50-foot tree about 55 feet east and 50 feet south of the array's western end caused a 2.6% loss, with 170 hours of shading a year.
A 20-foot barn just southwest of the array caused a 3.1% loss over 240 hours. Buildings count as shade sources too, so a shade report should include them along with the trees.
Together they reduced annual generation by about 5.7%, roughly $48 a year or about $960 over 20 years.
The authors note that knowing the best location for an array can raise annual generation by several percentage points when shade from nearby trees and structures is minimized. Several points of production matter over a system's life, but they need to be weighed against the cost of tree work and the shade and privacy a mature tree provides.
Which Trees Cause the Most Solar Loss?
Direction matters most. The American Solar Energy Society says trees located closer to due southeast and southwest have a much greater impact on generation than trees in other directions. For trees toward the south, the low winter sun sets the limit on how tall they can be before they shade the panels.
Timing matters too. The same article explains that shade early in the morning and late in the afternoon has little effect, because the sun strikes the panels at such a steep angle then that they produce very little. And it suggests deciduous trees to the east or west can block harsh summer sun while casting less shade in winter, as long as they are far enough from the south side of the array.
In short, a tall tree to the southeast or southwest of the array matters far more than one off to the northeast.
How Do You Measure Shade Before Cutting?
Start with numbers, not a guess. Tools at different levels of detail:
PVWatts: a calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that estimates the energy production of grid-connected solar systems. The current version, PVWatts V8, adds an input for monthly irradiance losses that can represent soiling or snow.
Installer design software: the American Solar Energy Society notes that system designers use tools such as Aurora and Helioscope to optimize siting.
Sun path tools: the same article mentions Suncalc.org for visualizing the sun's path, and a smartphone compass app for field measurements.
Ask your solar installer for a shade report that shows the loss from each tree separately. That lets you remove or trim only the trees that make a real difference instead of clearing everything on the south side.
Is Trimming Enough, or Does the Tree Have to Go?
Often trimming is enough. The American Solar Energy Society recommends minimizing losses with little or no tree removal, noting that trimming branches or moving the array can reduce shade without removing trees. If removal becomes necessary, the authors suggest weighing the environmental gains from solar against the loss of the tree.
Removal makes more sense when:
A shade report shows one tree causing most of the loss
The tree is already declining, damaged, or leaning toward the house
Branches overhang the roof where panels will go
Trees that overhang a roof cause problems of their own, and our post on how trees can damage your roof over time in Western PA covers them. For weighing a trim against removal more generally, see tree trimming vs. tree removal.
When Should Tree Work Happen in a Solar Project?
Before the panels go up. Removing or trimming trees near the roof after installation means working above new equipment, and any limb that drops can land on the array. Scheduling the tree work after the shade report and before installation day keeps the two jobs separate.
Plan for regrowth as well. A tree trimmed for clearance today keeps growing, so ask how often the trim will need to be repeated over the life of the system. Our post on how trimming can improve sunlight on your lawn covers the same kind of light-opening work, and whether to remove trees close to your house helps with trees near the roofline.
What Changed for Solar Costs in 2026?
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit equaled 30% of the cost of qualified clean energy property installed from 2022 through December 31, 2025, according to the IRS, and it is not available for property placed in service after that date. The IRS lists labor for on-site preparation, assembly, or original installation among qualified expenses, but it does not specifically mention tree removal.
For a 2026 project, no federal residential credit offsets any of the cost, so tree work is one more expense the homeowner carries in full. Trim first where it solves the problem, and remove only the trees a shade report shows are costing real production. For tax questions on your own project, talk with a tax professional.
FAQ
How much do trees reduce solar panel output?
It varies by position and height. In the American Solar Energy Society's example, one 50-foot tree reduced annual output by about 2.6%.
Which direction should trees be to avoid shading panels?
The American Solar Energy Society says trees closer to due southeast and southwest have the greatest impact. Deciduous trees to the east or west, kept away from the south side, cause less loss.
Is the federal solar tax credit still available?
Not for home systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, according to the IRS.
Should I trim or remove trees for solar?
Trim first when it fixes the shade. The American Solar Energy Society recommends trimming or moving the array before removing trees.
Does morning shade matter?
Very little. The American Solar Energy Society explains that panels produce little in early morning and late afternoon because of the sun's steep angle.
How can I estimate my system's production?
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's PVWatts calculator estimates production for grid-connected systems, and installers use design tools to model shade from specific trees.
Tree Trimming and Removal for Solar Projects From Brinko Tree Service
Brinko Tree Service, based at 1010 Sunset Blvd in Harrison City, has nearly 20 years of experience serving homeowners and businesses across Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties. When a shade report points to specific trees, the team provides pruning and trimming to open up the roof and tree removal for trees that need to go, with stump grinding and cleanup. Brinko is fully licensed and insured, follows OSHA and ANSI safety regulations with an OSHA safety site supervisor on every job site, and offers free estimates.
Visit Brinko Tree Service or call 412-373-7450 today. Contact us for more information.
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