Is My Roof Suitable For Solar Panels?

With interest in solar energy growing, many homeowners are asking the same question: is my roof suitable for solar panels?

The good news is that most properties can accommodate them. As an experienced solar panel installer in Lancashire, PurelyPowered can help you understand what works best for your home. Keep reading to learn more.

Key factors that determine suitability

There are a few important considerations to understand before investing in solar panels, including:

Roof orientation and angle

Roof orientation and angle towards the sun play a huge part in how much energy your solar panels can capture. In the UK, south-facing roofs perform best because they receive the most consistent sunlight throughout the day.

East and west-facing roofs still generate energy, although not as much. North-facing roofs are the least suitable because they get very little direct sunlight.

The angle of your roof is important too. We recommend a pitch of between 30 and 40 degrees as it helps panels catch the sun more effectively.

Roof size and shape

It might sound obvious, but the amount of usable space on your roof directly affects performance – the more space you have, the more panels you can install and the more energy you can produce. Large, open roofs are ideal because they allow for a compact layout with maximum coverage.

Dormer windows, skylights, chimneys and other decorative features reduce available space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy solar. A skilled installer should be able to arrange panels around these obstacles, depending on roof shape.

Roof condition and material

Before installing solar panels, it’s important to check whether your roof is in good condition. Panels are designed to last for decades, but loose tiles, weakened structures and any other damage will speed up degradation and disrupt energy output.

As for materials, sturdy ones like slate, clay and concrete are generally suitable for solar. Fragile materials, such as thatch and shingles, are often too challenging and expensive to work with.

Shade from your surroundings

It goes without saying that shade from trees, chimneys or nearby buildings can reduce the amount of sunlight your panels receive. While some shading is manageable with clever tech (more on this next), heavily shaded roofs may struggle to generate enough energy.

Are there any workarounds?

Luckily, most modern solar systems offer clever workarounds to each of the problems discussed. Here are a few examples:

Steep or flat roofs – Panels can be mounted on angled frames to improve orientation and tilt.
Small or awkwardly shaped roofs – Systems can be split across multiple sections of the roof, or additional panels can be fitted to garages and extensions.
Roof in poor condition – Simply repair damage before installation to ensure long-term stability and performance.
Heavy shading – Microinverters and power optimisers reduce the impact of shading so panels can still generate energy efficiently.

Book a free assessment today

In an ideal world, the perfect roof would be south-facing, angled between 30 and 40 degrees, in good condition, free from shade and offer plenty of uninterrupted space for panels. But we don’t live in an ideal world, which is why our team at PurelyPowered has developed solutions to make solar work for almost any property.