Is Your Roof Suitable For Solar Panels?

Thinking about harnessing solar energy for your home but unsure if your roof can accommodate solar panels? 

It's encouraging to know that a significant proportion of homes in the UK have roofs with pitches between 30 and 50 degrees, making them ideal candidates for photovoltaic (PV) systems. 

Even if your roof doesn't perfectly align with the ideal conditions, solar power might still be a viable option. Not every roof, however, is a good fit for solar panels. 

This guide will examine the specifics of roof compatibility for solar installations, outlining which roof characteristics are essential for maximising energy production from your solar panels.

PS If you are considering a new solar installation, we factor in the size of the system to meet your goals as standard - get your fixed price quote here. 

Roof Orientation: Is Your Roof Facing The Right Direction? 

The orientation of your roof plays a crucial role in the efficiency of your solar power system, as the amount of sunlight exposure varies with direction.

South-facing roofs are typically the most desirable for solar installations in the Northern Hemisphere, including the UK, because they receive the most sunlight throughout the day, leading to higher electricity generation from solar panels.

However, homes without south-facing roofs are not excluded from benefiting from solar energy. Roofs with east and west orientations can still capture sunlight efficiently—east-facing panels catch the morning sun while west-facing panels benefit from afternoon sunlight. This setup ensures a more consistent generation of solar power across the day.

Moreover, alternative structures like garages, workshops, or garden rooms present viable options for installing solar panels if the main roof is not ideally oriented. These can be especially useful for properties lacking south-facing roof space.

Nevertheless, for properties with only north-facing options, opting for high-performance panels and micro inverters can somewhat mitigate the lower light levels.

These technologies are designed to optimise energy production even in less-than-ideal conditions.

As a rough estimate, north-facing roofs may generate about 55% of the power compared to their south-facing counterparts, underlining the importance of choosing the right equipment to maximise efficiency wherever the panels are installed.

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Roof Pitch: Does Your Roof Have The Perfect Pitch? 

Pitched roofs, with their angles ranging from 20 to 45 degrees, are favoured for solar panel installations.

The optimal pitch angle is around 35 degrees, as determined by MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) calculations.

This particular angle offers the best year-round performance due to the varying positions of the sun throughout the seasons.

While steeper pitches may excel during summer months, the 35-degree angle strikes a balance, capturing ample sunlight as the sun's elevation changes.

Still, learning about solar? Check out our guides on how many solar panels you need and how solar car charging works. 

What If You Have A Flat Roof? 

The trend towards solar installations on flat roofs has been on the rise in recent years. Typically, these systems are set up with a pitch ranging from 15 to 20 degrees. Consequently, they tend to generate slightly less power than their pitched counterparts.

To optimise energy production on flat roofs, mounting systems are often employed to adjust the panels' pitch, thereby enhancing the overall energy yield.

Any inclination beyond this threshold generally necessitates a custom design to ensure structural integrity and optimal performance.

This adaptability allows flat roofs to overcome their natural limitations, making solar energy a viable option across a wider range of architectural styles.

Roof Construction/Materials: Is Your Roof Made Of The Right Stuff?  

In the UK, the vast majority of roofing materials are compatible with solar system installations.

The key factor determining this suitability often comes down to the specific mounting systems used to secure solar panels to the roof.

These mounting options, including roof hooks or feet, are tailored to accommodate different roofing materials—ranging from concrete tiles and slates to rosemary tiles.

The compatibility and safety of these mounting systems are assured through MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification.

This certification guarantees that the systems have undergone rigorous testing for wind loading, shearing, and clamping force, ensuring they meet high standards of quality and safety.

However, there are exceptions where solar panel installations are not feasible or recommended due to the inherent properties of the roofing material.

Glass roofs also fall into the category of unsuitable materials, primarily because they may not possess the structural strength required to support the weight of a photovoltaic (PV) system.

These restrictions highlight the importance of considering both the material and structural integrity of a roof when planning for solar installations.

 You can read more about how much solar costs here or get a quote here (takes 30 seconds). 

Roof Shading 

If there are trees, shrubbery, buildings or any other structures that are causing significant shading to your roof, then it may have an impact on sun exposure and therefore the amount of energy your panels can produce. 

In this situation, it may be advised to remove trees where possible and potentially install a low-light optimised solar system. 

Our solar experts will be able to assess your roof and make recommendations based on your specific roof and goals. 

Roof Condition: Is Your Roof Too Old? 

If your roof shows signs of existing damage or is nearing the end of its lifespan, addressing these concerns becomes imperative before proceeding with solar panel installation.

The logic is straightforward: roofs that are significantly aged or damaged may require replacement within the next 10 to 20 years. Opting to install solar panels on such a roof could lead to higher costs down the line.

To circumvent these additional costs, it's generally recommended to replace an old or damaged roof before solar panel installation.

This preemptive approach ensures that your solar panels are installed on a stable, durable foundation, thereby optimising your investment and avoiding the unnecessary financial burden of retrofitting solar panels after roofing issues are belatedly addressed.

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.

Roof Size: Is Your Roof Big Enough For Solar? 

Your property's roof may be too small to house an adequate number of solar panels to reach your energy production goals. 

However, it's important to bear in mind that all situations are different, for example, there are situations where you may be able to opt to install additional panels on your garage or shed roof. 

Additionally, it may be more appropriate to opt for high-efficiency solar panels and/or systems to maximise energy production. 

As mentioned, these factors will be considered during your initial survey. 

Roof Mounting: How Will The Panels Be Attached To Your Roof? 

Solar panel installations are categorised into three primary mounting types, each with its own set of benefits and considerations:

On-Roof Mounting:

This is the most prevalent type, accounting for approximately 70% of installations.

Here, panels are mounted on top of the existing roof structure, elevated above the roof surface on mounting systems.

The key advantages of on-roof systems include:

• Enhanced cooling of the panels, which maintains high performance.

• Minimal impact on the structural integrity of the roof.

• Lower cost and quicker installation compared to other systems.

To read our full guide on how you can potentially save with solar check out the guide: Is Solar Worth it in the UK?

In-Roof Mounting:

In this setup, solar panels are integrated within the roof, replacing a section of roofing tiles, and sit flush with the roof surface.

In-roof systems are often chosen for their aesthetic appeal, blending seamlessly with the roof's design.

Roof systems are installed with plastic trays, these have a shorter lifespan than a traditional tile or slate so more maintenance is required

These systems are more suited for installations during roof replacement or as part of extensive renovation projects due to their:

• Higher installation complexity and cost.

• Reduced cooling capacity compared to on-roof systems, potentially impacting performance during hotter periods.

Considerations for In-Roof Systems include the potential for higher operating temperatures due to reduced airflow around the panels, which may affect their efficiency, especially in warmer months.

Despite the potential for slightly reduced performance in hot weather, in-roof systems offer an attractive, integrated appearance that may be preferred for aesthetic reasons or to comply with specific architectural standards.

Each mounting option offers distinct benefits, whether it's the cost-effectiveness and ease of installation of on-roof systems, the sleek integration of in-roof setups, or the adaptability of flat-roof installations.

The choice between these systems depends on various factors, including aesthetic preferences, budget, roof condition, and specific energy needs.

Flat Roof Mounting:

For buildings with flat roofs, solar panels are installed using frames or supports, sometimes referred to as "tubs," to angle the panels for optimal sun exposure.

This method allows for versatility in panel orientation and inclination but requires careful consideration of roof loading and wind uplift.

Flat roof

Flat roof systems are becoming more popular. When installing a flat roof system, you can either mount your panels to a frame kit or mount them in “tubs” or “buckets”.

Either system will require a ballast weight to ensure the panels don’t lift in high winds. This weight needs to be calculated by a design engineer, generally this is done by the mounting system manufacturer.

If you have a flat roof, consider the following: 

• The maximum pitch of your array will be 20 degrees

• You’ll fit fewer panels in the same area when compared to a pitched roof. This to due to shading caused by the raised profiles of each panel

Do You Need Planning Permission For A Roof Install? 

In most cases, you will not need planning approval to have solar panels installed on the roof of your property.

When planning permission is not required, this is called ‘permitted development'. 

However, there are certain situations where permitted development does not apply, in which case planning permission will be required before installation. 

These exceptions from permitted development include the following scenarios: 

• Your building is listed. 

• You are installing solar panels on a flat or maisonette. 

• You live in a part of the country where permitted development rights do not apply. 

As part of your initial survey, your specific roof and important considerations like planning permission will all be considered.

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:

• How much do solar panels cost? 

• Are solar panels worth it for your home? 

• Is your roof suitable for solar panels? 

• What are the best solar panels available? 

• Is battery storage worth it? 

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. 

Get a Quote for Solar Today 

Without boasting you should get your solar installed with us, here's why: 

• Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.

• Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.

• MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.

• Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.

• Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.

• Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.

• Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.

• Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.

• Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.