Grow them in full sun and thin off the most sun exposed fruit. This should give you the best yield of high quality fruit.

I've grown one in full sun for years with little sunburn. Not enough to cause any loss of fruit or fruit quality. The most exposed fruit are reddish/brown turning later to black on the exposed side. We get very intense sun and severe sunburn on apples.

Shade doesn't really solve the thinning issue. Yes it may drop more fruit in shade, or set less, but that's because it can't support as much fruit. They should both be thinned to avoid alternate bearing if that is your issue.