Solar panels can be installed in most homes, but not all roofs are created equal. The ideal roof for solar gets continued sunshine, has the physical room to accommodate it, and is sound enough to support mounting.
What Makes a Roof “Good” for Solar?
Installers usually look at:
Orientation: ideally south-facing, but underperforming east- and west-facing orientations can still be effective.
Angle: generally, a medium angle is the happy mover: too steep or too flat can inhibit output and/or make mounting complex.
Blocking shade: generation can be reduced by trees, chimneys, and nearby buildings.
Usable area: wide open spaces for a practical number of panels.
Type and longevity: A new roof or one that will last for at least a decade.
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Best Types of Roofs
1) Concrete or clay pitched tiled roofs
This is one of the simplest and most common setups. Panels are installed on rails attached to the rafters with gaps around brackets for the tiles.
Natural slate (with suitable fixings) on pitched roofs.
Slate – Great when handled properly, but very fragile and difficult to install. This may make it a bit more labour-intensive, which could also impact price.
2) Metal roofs (standing seam)
Although standing seam metal roofs are an excellent roofing type, as some systems clamp on, not needing to penetrate the roof, this fact reduces the potential leaks that can occur.
Rooftop Circumstances When You Might Need to Opt for an Alternative
Flat roofs
An angled frame (ballasted or fixed) can still be utilised for solar. The 3 top constraints are wind loading, roof limits, and shading between rows.
Existing roofs over 10 years in age
The best thing to do in this scenario is to get your roof repaired or replaced. The need to remove and refit panels later adds to the cost.
Complex roofs (many hips/valleys/dormers)
There may be less actual usable space than you think. In some instances, a few panels and a battery could be the way to go instead of cramming more and more on random sections.
Unfortunately, these roofs are not ideal for solar installs because of fire and mounting-related issues. While specialist solutions exist, they are atypical and costly.
When you might need alternatives
If you have a roof that is very shaded, too small, or unsuitable, other options are;
Solar on the ground (if you have land/garden space)
Solar carports/canopies (useful for driveways)
Time-of-use tariffs (battery first)
Better insulation, better heating controls.
A thorough site survey that considers shading and structure as well as usable area, rather than just orientation, followed by the more comprehensive energy audit on selected or high-use building types, is most likely the next best decision.
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