How do you install solar panels on a sloping roof?

The most common solar installations are on sloping tiled roofs. There are three ways of doing this: attaching the panels on brackets above the tiles, removing a section of tiles to install panels ‘in roof’, or roofing directly with solar tiles.

Can you install solar panels on a flat roof?

You can install solar panels on a flat roof, but it’s much easier on the flat roofs of large, commercial buildings, which are typically very strong. The vast majority of residential flat roofs in the UK are not suitable for solar panels, due to a variety of reasons.

Where should solar panels be installed on a roof?

The best place to install solar panels on a roof (flat or sloped) is on a south-facing section, as it will receive the most daylight throughout the day, optimising electricity production.

How much does a solar panel weigh on a flat roof?

As mentioned earlier, solar panels on a flat roof need a heavy ballasted mounting system to stay secure in high winds. And that ballast can make a solar panel up to five times heavier than a typical non-ballasted panel. A ballasted solar panel can weigh around 100kg, whereas a non-ballasted solar panel is only about 20kg.

How far apart should solar panels be on a flat roof?

However, as a general rule of thumb, you need about one metre between each row of solar panels on a flat roof. Building and safety regulations also require a minimum distance of 0.5-1m between the solar panels and the edge of the roof. Where is the best place to put solar panels on a roof?

Can a roof be suitable for solar panels?

Even a roof that doesn’t match the ideal requirements can still be suitable for solar panels. Part of the personal recommendation provided by Solar Together will be a breakdown of any additional costs needed to cover a variety of roofs. Often, roof characteristics will instead affect the output which solar panels generate.