Are you considering purchasing solar panels? Watch our video to find out what happens when you install solar panels and whether your home is solar ready.
Installing solar panels is not as complicated as you might think. In fact, 94% of solar panel owners in our survey said they have never changed their solar panels.*
Prepare to install your own solar panels by checking whether your home is suitable and whether you need planning permission.
Find out what homeowners think of their solar PV systems in our solar panel reviews.
Video instructions: photovoltaic solar system
To get a better idea of what to expect when installing photovoltaic solar panels, check out the video below where you'll see a solar panel installation (on a concrete tile roof) from start to finish and find out what it entails.
How long does it take to install solar panels?
If you have solar panels on your roof, you will probably need scaffolding.
Once the scaffolding is installed, the panels can be installed in less than a day. Roofers install mounting brackets on your rafters. Therefore, a qualified expert should visit your attic to check the integrity of the roof and rafters. The solar modules are then mounted on the mounting brackets.
The size and complexity of your system affects installation time. Ask your installer for an estimate so you can be prepared.
If scaffolding is required, check with your surveyor whether there is space for it and whether the cost is included in your quote.
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Is my house suitable for photovoltaic solar systems?
Photovoltaic solar panels are worth considering if you have a predominantly south-facing roof with little to no shade and don't plan on moving in the near future.
Although a south-facing roof provides the best energy output, a southwest or southeast-facing roof should also work well.
However, you will draw less energy from the system and save less on your electricity bill.
How much energy you can generate with solar modules – and therefore how much money you can earn from them – depends on:
- The angle and direction of slope of your roof
- Where you live : For example, the southwest receives more sunlight than the north, which may affect your system's power production, but not significantly.
Six in 10 solar panel owners in rural areas produced more than 2,500 kWh per year.* And in urban areas, fewer solar panel owners (nearly half of those surveyed in urban areas) produced that amount.
However, the size of the system is an important factor for electricity production. Residents of rural areas were also more likely to have large solar systems.
Use our solar panel buying tips and discover the best solar panel brands to make your decision easier.
Which side of the roof is best for solar panels?
The table below shows the maximum output you can get from a solar PV system based on roof orientation (west, south, east) and tilt angle (Source: Energy Savings Trust).
Most roofs in the UK have an angle of between 30° and 45°. Photovoltaic solar panels are not recommended for north-facing roofs.
You need to consider the age of your roof and its strength since photovoltaic panels are heavy.
Shading can be a big problem with solar modules. Therefore, the modules should not be placed in an area shaded by trees, chimneys, walls or other obstacles. Determine if trees are growing nearby and can shade your roof.
A little shade at the beginning or end of the day will not significantly affect your panel's performance.
Discover our top tips to get the most out of your solar panels
Do I need a building permit for solar systems?
Contact your municipality to find out if you need to apply for a building permit for your solar panels. Most home solar panel installations do not require a building permit as long as they are installed within certain limits.
However, exceptions apply to buildings and structures that are part of protected areas and world heritage sites.
Solar panel maintenance costs
Solar panels require virtually no maintenance and should last at least 25 years.
Solar PV systems are relatively simple and have no moving parts, so they do not require much maintenance.
However, you will need an inverter within 25 years: 14% of respondents had inverter problems when we surveyed solar panel owners.*
Once your solar panels are installed, the installer should provide you with a written description of any maintenance checks you will need to perform regularly to ensure your system is functioning properly.
Use our trusted dealer locator to find a solar panel installer near you.
How can I ensure that the installation of my solar panels went smoothly?
Make sure there are no boards hanging from the roof. When installing panels directly onto an existing roof, it is recommended to leave a gap of at least 40cm between the last panel and the edge of the roof. This reduces the risk of strong wind blowing over the panels and causing annoying wind noise, the panels hitting the ridges, rainwater circulation and snow accumulation.
File available for download. ( PDF - 45 KB ) This file is available for download .
*Online survey 1 116 Which one? Connect your members to their homes using solar panels by June 2021.
