Can you have solar panels installed on a flat roof? Yes, you can and in this guide we'll explore the details.
- Can You Have Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?
- What's The Optimum Angle For Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?
- Do You Need Planning Permission For Solar On A Flat Roof?
- How Do Solar Panels On Flat Roofs Work?
- Solar Panels On Flat Roof Costs
- Pros And Cons Of Solar On Flat Roofs
- How Much Could You Save With Solar?
If you have a flat roof, you may have heard rumours that solar panels can't be installed.
After all, don't solar panels need to be positioned at an angle? For optimum performance, yes they do. At first sight, it seems that these rumours are true, much like Dumbledore’s death in book six.
However, the good news is that solar panel design has advanced remarkably over the years and flat roofs no longer present a barrier.
But how? And are there any additional costs involved? In this guide, we explore the most frequently asked questions with regard to solar panels on flat roofs.
Let's begin...
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Solar Panel Flat Roof Key Points:
Solar panels can be installed onto a flat roof - but you should be aware of the extra considerations.
It will require additional mounting equipment to ensure the panels are at the required slope.
Planning permission is typically required for flat roof solar panel installation as it does not fall under 'permitted development'.
On average, solar panel installation on a flat roof will cost approximately 5-10% more than on a sloped roof since the mounting frames are an additional cost.
You will have to pick between a helicopter landing space (that other perk of flat roofs) or solar panels.
Can You Have Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?
Yes, flat roofs can have solar panels installed on them and this can include both domestic and commercial properties.
Installing solar panels onto flat roofs does have additional challenges though, since solar panels perform at their optimum when they are positioned at an angle.
Additionally, solar panels that are flat are prone to water damage and dirt can build up quite fast. Unlike Peppa Pig, solar panels don’t fancy muddy puddles.
As a result, a 'tilt kit' or mounting system will need to be installed together with the solar panels.
A tilt kit is a special type of equipment that will be fitted onto your roof, your solar panels will then be mounted onto the tilt kit.
Essentially the tilt kit is designed to tilt or place your solar panels at an angle for maximum efficiency.
What's The Optimum Angle For Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?
In the UK, roofs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and whether you have a flat or sloped roof there is an optimum angle for solar panels.
In fact, no matter the roof, solar panels should be positioned at a 20 to 50-degree angle in order to absorb as much sunlight as possible. In that way, a vertical roof is more of a challenge than a flat roof.
However, as mentioned solar panels are not only mounted at an angle to maximise energy efficiency, but it also ensures the following:
That the solar panels do not face water damage.
So that dirt and debris can be washed off naturally by rainwater.
Microgeneration scheme-certified (MCS) installers like Heatable account for all of these factors when designing a custom system for your roof.
They will be able to determine the optimum angle to position your panels for your particular roof.
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Do You Need Planning Permission For Solar On A Flat Roof?
Most domestic roofs in the UK are sloped so planning permission is typically not required in these cases, since they fall under "permitted development".
Unfortunately, this is not the case for flat roofs and you typically need to seek planning permission to have solar panels installed - contrary to what the name suggests, you don’t need permission to plan your solar.
It’s, therefore, a wise idea to check with The Planning Portal – the national planning application service for England and Wales.
In any case, seeking pre-application advice from the local planning authority is recommended to ensure compliance and minimise potential disputes.
How Do Solar Panels On Flat Roofs Work?
In theory, you could install solar panels on a flat roof and leave them horizontally positioned i.e. lying flat, however, this would limit the amount of sunlight they will be exposed to and could potentially lead to water damage.
That's why almost no solar array is fitted to a flat roof without using a framing system or 'tilt kit'.
The mounting frame ensures the panels are positioned at an angle and as a result will help maximise sun exposure and ensure rainwater runs off them.
Solar Panels On Flat Roof Costs
How much does it cost to have solar installed on a flat roof? That sounds like the introduction of a boring joke or a slightly more exciting maths problem, but it’s a true question.
The cost will be very close to what you would pay if you had a more common sloped roof.
On average, the cost is approximately 5-10% more as the frames are an additional cost.
For reference, a 3.5kW solar panel system would typically require around 10 solar panels (at 350 W each) and cost between £5,000 and £10,000.
You can read more about how much solar costs here or get a quote here (takes 30 seconds).
Pros And Cons Of Solar On Flat Roofs
As you may expect, there are some advantages and disadvantages to having solar panels installed on a flat roof, here we have summarised them:
Advantages Of Solar On Flat Roofs
Solar panels may not be visible from the street - flat roofs often mean the solar array can't be seen by passersby, which may be appealing to those who aren't fans of solar aesthetics.
Installation and maintenance easier - flat roofs are often easier to walk on for installers and servicepeople versus a sloped roof that is quite dangerous to navigate.
You can save money on your bills - a solar array will help you to reduce your energy bills.
It's a renewable form of energy - you'll be playing your part to combat climate change and reduce your carbon footprint substantially by adopting solar.
You can use the entire roof instead of just half. Take that, common sloped roof, people.
Disadvantages Of Solar On Flat Roofs
While there are a range of pros and cons to solar in general, it's worth noting that there are some specific drawbacks to having solar installed on a flat roof:
Without a sloped roof, rainwater stagnates and so dirt can quickly build up limiting the solar panel's efficiency.
They need mounting equipment - to be as effective as possible solar panels on flat roofs need additional equipment fitted that allows them to be tilted - like old people getting out of a comfy chair. Without this solar panels on flat roofs would lay flat and not get as much sun exposure, limiting them by a considerable margin.
More vulnerable to wind damage - flat roof solar panels tend to be more vulnerable to wind and therefore damage is more likely unless additional measures are taken. For instance, sometimes additional ballast weight will need to be added to help stabilise the array in the event of high-speed wind.
Invalidated warranties - since solar panels that are laid flat are more vulnerable to water buildup and damage, some companies will not cover your warranty if the correct angle is not achieved (using mounting equipment).
Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
How Much Could You Save With Solar?
Solar panels can potentially reduce your energy bills no matter where you live in the UK.
The break-even point is dependent on a variety of factors but is typically around 10 years unless you choose gold-rimmed solar panels.
The more energy you consume from your solar vs the grid, the greater the financial benefits and the shorter the break-even point.
Changing your behaviour can have a huge impact on the numbers.
To read our full guide on how you can potentially save with solar check out the guide: Is Solar Worth it in the UK?
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
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Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
