Can You Install Solar Panels On A Conservatory Roof?

Over 1.5 million homes have installed solar panels and this number is set to skyrocket in the next decade, mainly due to the fact that the costs continue to plummet. It turns out people prefer affordable solar systems over expensive ones - who would’ve thought? 

Most homes in the UK have solar panels on the roof, but there are additional installation locations you can choose from, including your conservatories roof. 

But is it always advised? What are the costs and other limitations you should be aware of? 

Let's learn all about having solar on conservatory roofs...

PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.

Solar Panels On Conservatory Roof Key Points: 

• Yes, it may be possible to have solar panels fitted to a conservatory roof. 

• It largely depends on the type of conservatory roof. 

• If the roof is made from plastic or glass it may need to be strengthened. 

• Solar panel options may also be limited e.g. they may have to be smaller units that weigh less. 

Can You Have Solar Panels Installed On A Conservatory Roof? 

Yes, it's possible to have solar panels installed on your conservatory roof. But don’t stop reading quite yet, because it largely depends on the type of roof your conservatory has. 

If your conservatory roof is solid, then the installation process is pretty much the same as having them installed on your roof. 

However, if your conservatory roof is made of other materials like glass, then the type of solar panels available to you could be limited since you will need to opt for smaller units. 

This may mean making sacrifices when it comes to power output, but your conservatory roof will only be able to bear a certain amount of weight, thus comprises are required. 

Yet, if your conservatory roof does have a solid design, you can typically use the same panels you would have fitted onto a regular roof. 

Join Thousands of Satisfied Customers:

We’re proud to be MCS accredited and Which? Trusted solar installers with over 10,000 glowing reviews on Trustpilot. Discover why so many trust us for their solar panel installations—visit our Reviews and Testimonials page and watch Phil’s video testimonial below.

When Can't You Install Solar On A Conservatory Roof?

If your conservatory roof is made of plastic, then it's typically recommended to avoid installing panels as the roof is unlikely to last the full lifespan of your solar panels. As a result, your panels also won’t last their full lifespan. 

In general, the roof's structural integrity and weight-bearing capacity will need to be determined and if necessary upgraded prior to installation.

In general, this means that conservatories that do not have a solid roof will need to be converted if a normal-sized system is the desired goal. If your conservatory doesn’t have a roof, it’s really just four lost walls. 

Please note: In certain situations/areas you may need to seek planning permission before having your solar panels installed on your roof.

How much do conservatory solar panels cost?

The average cost of a 3.5 kW solar panel system is between £5,000 and £10,000. 

Fitting a PV array to your conservatory roof will be a similar price to a regular roof since the system will be the same in terms of equipment type and size. 

You can read our complete costs guide here. 

Other Factors to Consider Before Installing Solar On Conservatory Roof:  

Whether you are adding additional panels, or installing a standalone system, there are a few other things to check before making the final decision, including: 

Will It Affect Your Warranty? 

It's possible that having a solar array installed on your conservatory roof may invalidate the warranty. 

Therefore, it's important to check your warranty and its conditions before making a final decision. Checking your warranty after usually is a gateway to some surprises. 

Even if you have a solid roof, it's still important to check since some companies will use plastic supports for a glass roof, which is not suitable to support the weight of a solar array. 

Make Sure the Roof Is Structurally Sound 

As mentioned, it's important that the conservatory roof can last the lifetime of your solar system. 

However, for safety reasons, it's even more important that the roof can bear the weight of the solar panels too. Before you know it, it’s not just the roof’s lifetime that’s at risk, but yours, too. 

Therefore, it's important to have your roof structurally examined, even if you have a solid roof since this may have been constructed with materials that are not designed to bear the weight of solar panels e.g. plastic.  

If you are researching solar panel companies, you may find our resources valuable. Check out our comprehensive comparison of the best solar panel companies in the UK, learn about the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) process, and explore our detailed solar panel guide and solar advice section for expert insights and recommendations.

Pros And Cons Of Solar On A Conservatory Roof 

Of course, like any scenario, there are inevitably pros and cons you should be aware of when considering your options. 

Here are the advantages and disadvantages involved in installing solar onto your conservatory roof: 

Renewable and Clean Energy

First and foremost, solar energy is a renewable and clean source of energy, that’s cleaner than a toilet paper commercial. 

The obvious advantage of energy that is renewable is its sustainability benefits i.e. there is no risk of it ever running out (Did we mention unlimited cat videos?).

Really, there’s no reason to assume solar panels would prove a legal hindrance to you in your lifetime - unless you’re using them to power a secret laboratory for your villainous activities. 

In contrast, an LPG storage tank (to give an example) would be a less reliable investment in terms of its long-term value since it’s possible that LPG boilers could be phased out and made illegal in the coming decades. Perhaps those villains will switch to LPG to power those laboratories.  

Beyond that, solar panels are a clean source of energy, since they emit zero carbon. 

They do not pollute the environment and, therefore, by using solar energy you’ll lower your carbon footprint and help with the push toward a carbon-neutral and eventually zero-carbon world Kier Starmer might even thank you himself.

Aside from being a renewable and clean source of energy, solar power can also potentially offer you energy independence. No more borrowing energy from your parents. 

The more energy self-reliant you are, the less susceptible you will be to changing energy prices in the wider market helping you to better weather future energy crises.

PS You can check the average costs of solar panels here.

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.

Saves You Money on Your Electricity Bills

This is a particularly topical subject right now with the ongoing energy crisis.

But even when energy prices become more affordable, solar panels can help you save on your electricity bills - if not potentially wipe them out entirely. 

How much you’d save would, of course, depend on what percentage of your electricity is sourced from your solar panels. And how many hair dryers your household uses all at once. 

But even a handful of medium-output solar panels could significantly reduce your electricity bills (maybe even cut them in half or better). 

You Can Sell Excess Energy Back to the Grid

Not only can solar panels reduce your electricity bills, but they may even bring in revenue. That’s a better solution to your bills than using a drying rack instead of a dryer. 

This is because it’s possible to sell excess solar energy back to the national grid. 

You can do this thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

This is a government-backed support mechanism which mandates that certain energy providers (known as SEG licensees) must purchase renewable energy from small-scale generators. 

Moreover, the SEG initiative was set up in January 2020 and covers Great Britain but not Northern Ireland. Sorry, neighbours! 

Here is the UK’s list of mandatory SEG licensees:

• E

• British Gas

• OV Energy

• The Utility Warehouse

• EDF

• Bulb

• E.ON

• Shell Energy

• Octopus Energy

• Scottish Power

• ESB

• Utilita

There are also several voluntary SEG licensees.

Each SEG licensee sets its terms, such as how much it would pay per kWh of electricity and whether or not its contract would cover battery storage.

May Increase Your Property’s Value

If someday you decide to move home and leave your solar panels behind, they’ll still be able to offer you one last benefit before you relocate. A goodbye present, so to speak.

Solar panels will often increase the value of a property since the new homeowners could significantly benefit from the installation in terms of reduced electricity bills.

On average, a solar panel system will raise the value of a property by around 4%.

Expensive to Buy & Install 

There's no escaping the fact that buying solar panels and paying to have them professionally installed doesn’t come cheap.

A 3.5kW solar panel system is one of the most commonly installed systems in the UK and would typically require around 10 solar panels (at 350 W each) and cost between £5,000 and £10,000, or approximately the price of a wedge of cheese these days.

How much the solar system you want would actually cost would depend on various factors including:

• The type and quality of the solar panels.

• The number of solar panels being installed.

• Where you are located in the UK (since labour prices differ from region to region).

• The complexity of the installation.

• How accessible is the installation area is.

• Whether you tip the installer (not common, actually a little weird)

Requires Adequate Space/Area

Obviously to have several or more solar panels installed will require sufficient roof space.

In fact, in the UK, a single solar panel typically has a size of around 1.6 square meters (17.2 square feet) to 2 square meters (21.5 square feet) and has a power output of between 250 and 400 watts. 

For example, a typical 3-4 kW solar panel system in the UK may require around 20-25 square meters (215-270 square feet) of roof space, and a 4-5 kW system may require around 30-35 square meters (322-377 square feet) of roof space.

As a result, you need at least an average-sized roof to benefit from solar, yet if you do not, there are other options like shed and garage roofs, as well as utilising ground-mounted solar arrays, and strapping a panel to your back while you’re gardening. 

Not All Roofs Are Suitable

Unfortunately, not every roof is suited to a solar panel installation. 

However, east and west-facing roofs can still benefit significantly from solar, especially if utilising a system optimised for low light. 

Moreover, even if a roof is south-facing, some older properties will not have the right materials or strength needed to have solar panels installed.

Of course, in some cases, it may still be possible to add solar panels, but your roof might require strengthening, which would add to the overall costs of installing solar. On the other hand, it does keep your roof from collapsing, so it’s a win-win. 

The good news is that assessing the suitability of your roof is part of any reputable solar company's process, like our own. 

Did you know we offer solar panel installation throughout the UK? That includes: 

• Solar panels in Scotland. 

• Solar panels in Cornwall. 

• Solar panels in London. 

• Solar panels in Wales. 

• Solar panels on the Isle of Wight. 

Weather Can Have an Effect 

While solar energy definitely can work in Britain, the sunlight hours you will receive will change throughout the year. 

Therefore, how much energy you’ll generate will vary depending on the time of year. 

But this can also be hugely impacted by the type of solar system you use. 

For example, at Heatable we have designed a solar array optimised for low light conditions, making it ideal for a country like the UK. Please, hold your applause until the end.

For instance, each solar panel works together with its own Enphase microinverter that locally converts the DC power generated by the panel into AC power that can be used in your home immediately - AC is what household appliances and circuits use and it is also much safer than a DC current. 

It also means the panels will start generating electricity in low light (requiring just 22 volts) – compare this to typical panels that utilise a string inverter that requires at least 200 volts to even begin energy generation - again, this makes them perfect for a cloudy place like the UK. 

Check out our complete guide on the costs of solar and whether solar is worth it in the UK here. 

Can you get free or subsidised solar panels in the UK? 

Potentially yes, you can apply for funding and may be eligible for help with the costs of a solar panel installation via the ECO4 scheme. 

Explore what solar panel grants and funding are currently available in our comprehensive solar grant guide here. 

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.