Know where the production actually is
In central Indiana, a roof-mounted array does most of its work between mid-morning and mid-afternoon, from the south. That is the window and the direction you protect. Early morning and late evening sun contribute far less, which means the east and west edges of a lot are much more forgiving than the south side.
Put shade where it saves you money instead
A tree on the west side cuts the afternoon heat load on the house through the hottest part of a summer day — that is real money off the cooling bill — while barely touching a south-facing array. East side is second best. South of the array is where you plant nothing tall, or you plant something that stays under the sight line permanently.
Plant for the mature height, not the nursery tag
The shade problem is never the tree you plant. It is that tree in eighteen years. Before you dig, look up the mature height and spread and picture it against your roofline. A tree that will top out at twenty feet is a different decision than one heading for sixty.
If they are already fighting
Often the fix is a reduction or a clearance prune rather than a removal — taking the height and the encroaching side down enough to clear the array through the production window, then keeping it there on a cycle. Panels also lose real output to leaf litter and shade from overhanging limbs even when the sun angle is fine, so the same visit usually helps twice.
We will walk the property, look at the array angle, and tell you whether this is a pruning problem or a removal problem. Start here.