If you’re not installing solar or solar hot water during construction, ensure pitch and orientation allows for installation in the future.
Panels perform best when they are installed at an angle as they capture more energy from the sun. The added benefit is the angle also assists rain to wash off dust and grime.
A flat roof will require solar panels to be mounted to at least 10 degrees to avoid rain damage to the panels. However, the additional cost of adding a frame to a flat roof to tilt the solar panels is generally not cost effective.
Solar panels used to be installed facing north to maximise daily production. However, if you want to save the most on your electricity bill, you may be better to have some panels facing partially east and some partially west so that the panels are generating electricity from sunrise to sunset.