Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

For property owners across the UK, investments in green energy have been rising consistently in recent years.

Not only are people increasingly prioritising the reduction of their carbon footprint, but rising energy prices have meant that green energy solutions also represent a fantastic way to cut down energy costs.

As a result, solar panels are quickly gaining popularity, as a long-term investment that promises impressive rewards.

So, if you’re struggling to decide whether or not solar panels present a good solution for you and your property, keep reading.

Below, we have shared our complete guide to roof solar panels, including the different types of solar panels available to choose from, the types of roof that are best suited for solar panels, and the role of solar battery systems.

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

What are the different types of solar panels that you can install on your roof?

The three main types of solar panels that are installed on roofs are:

Thin-film solar panels – these are made by adding layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate (usually made of plastic, metal or glass). Thin-film solar panels are very light and flexible, making them a very versatile solution. However, they usually have a lower level of efficiency (compared to other types of solar panels). But, the other key benefit of thin-film solar panels is that they work very well in low light.
Monocrystalline solar panels – these panels boast an exceptionally high level of efficiency, thanks to their use of a single crystal structure (most commonly silicon). So, although they come at a higher price point, they boast a very high level of output per sqft.
Polycrystalline solar panels – similarly, these are usually made from silicon, but have a structure consisting of multiple crystals. And, although they are less efficient than monocrystalline solar panels, they are a cheaper alternative.

So, the question of which solar panel type presents the best fit for your property will depend on the budget that you have available, the size of your roof, and the amount of energy that you require.

What type of roof is best suited for solar panels?

Solar panels are extremely versatile solutions, and can be installed on a wide range of roof types.

These include tile roofs, asphalt shingle roofs, metal roofs and standing seam metal roofs.

So, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the type of roof that the property has is not a cause for concern.

Instead, whether or not a roof is suitable for solar panels depends on the direction that the roof is facing, and the available space on the roof.

The circumstances in which a roof may not be well-suited for solar panels include:

If your roof is north facing roof – if your roof is north facing, then solar panels will not be exposed to enough sunlight to perform efficiently. So, they will not be able to provide you with a sufficient return on your investment.
If your roof is obstructed or heavily shaded – similarly, if your roof is shaded for a large part of the day (for example, if it is positioned underneath several large trees, or is blocked by nearby buildings) then it’s unlikely that solar panels would receive enough sunlight to perform efficiently.
If your roof is small – if you don’t have enough space on your roof for several solar panels, positioned in a row or grid, then you won’t be able to create an efficient solar panel structure. Although it would be possible to install a few small solar panels, it’s unlikely that this would be worth the upfront cost.
If your roof has a low level of structural integrity – if your roof structure is damaged, in poor condition, or otherwise weak, then it may not be able to support the added weight of solar panels.
If you live in an older property – equally, older roofs often don’t have the structural integrity to be able to bear this extra weight. And, the cost of reinforcing the roof would be unlikely to be cost-effective.
If your roof is nearing replacement – if your roof is due for a replacement soon, then you should wait until it has been replaced, before installing solar panels.
If your roof is made of a fragile material – such as slate or cedar shake.
If your roof is at a very steep slope, or features a complicated design.
If your area is subject to restrictive regulations – some properties may come under areas with regulations that prohibit the installation of solar panel panels.

But, if your property does not come under these criteria, then your roof would be ideally suited to the addition of solar panels.

And, in the majority of cases, solar panels can be installed on roofs quickly, easily and efficiently, giving property owners access to a number of key benefits.

How much money can be saved by installing solar panels?

One of the most impactful benefits of installing solar panels is the return that they provide on the initial investment.

Over time, a considerable amount of money can be saved by installing solar panels. And nowadays, with energy prices continuing to rise, this financial incentive is even more apparent.

According to the Money Saving Expert website, a typical household with a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system can cut down their energy bills by between £195-480 each year.

So, with solar panels costing around £5,500 (on average), it could take as little as 11 years before you start seeing a profit from your investment.

To accurately calculate how much money you can save by installing solar panels on your property, we recommend using a solar energy financial calculator.

The solar energy financial calculator from the Energy Saving Trust is a great resource, which provides you with a highly accurate estimate, for your specific property.

The amount of money that can be saved by installing solar panels varies for each property, depending on a number of factors.

How much money your solar panels will save you over time will depend on:

The location of your property
The size of your solar panel system
The efficiency of your solar panel system
How much sunlight your solar panels are exposed to
The electricity rates in your area
Whether or not your region offers net metering policies
How much energy you consume
Whether you have signed up to any government incentives, rebates or tax credits

What is a solar battery system, and why is it important?

To maximise the efficiency and financial rewards of your solar panels, you will need to install a solar battery system.

This setup works alongside your solar panels, using energy storage technology to store any excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels.

This means that excess electricity that is generated during the day or particularly sunny spells can be stored, then used later (when it is dark, or the weather is gloomy).

The benefits of solar battery systems include:

Helping property owners reduce their reliance on the grid
Ensuring a consistent supply of electricity (even at night or during power outages)
Achieving even greater cost savings
Load shifting, to optimise time of use and avoid peak pricing times (when demand is low, energy prices are cheaper)
Enabling property owners to participate in demand response programmes

In short, solar battery systems are sophisticated pieces of technology, which ensure property owners are reaping the highest possible rewards from their solar panels.

If you have any further questions about the benefits of installing solar panels, or whether your property’s roof is well-suited to the addition of solar panels, speak to a member of B&S Roofing’s expert team today.