This may sound like a foolish question but a trend is emerging here in Massachusetts with the ‘no site visit required’ sales pitch for solar power systems.  ‘We have all the technology to analyze your roof from California’ the story goes.  There are a number of variations on this theme but the underlying motive is the same.  Do what you need to do to get the deal!  This is where prudence, Integrity, and Honesty get thrown out the window to make room for good old ‘market share’.  So here come these companies with millions of investors dollars charged with the responsibility of growing the company and gaining market share-at any cost.  This is a disturbing trend.  Of course reading the fine print in the agreements of these companies reveals a whole host of exclusions and conditions designed to protect guess who?

So yes Solar Panels do need sunlight, as well as a decent roof, a structure to support it, and a knowledgeable, competent, responsible, and trustworthy installer.  So do your homework and get your facts straight and ask lots of questions.  And listen to what your gut tells you. 
If something doesn’t make sense and sounds too good to be true, guess what?