Solar panels are one of the most popular ways to make a home more environmentally friendly, but that does not mean they are suitable for everyone. Whether you can install solar panels depends very much on your type of property, particularly the design of your roof.
Direction of roof
People buy houses with south-facing gardens to try and catch the best sunlight. It is possible to install solar panels on a north-facing roof, but they will not be as efficient.
Slope of roof
Steeply angled roofs tend to be in shade for part of the day, whilst if the slope is too shallow, panels will quickly become dirty, and therefore less effective.
Heavy shade
Solar panels do not always need to be in direct sunlight but heavy shade, such as from tall trees, may block their effectiveness. Solar panel installers Weston such as https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installers-weston may be able to install the panels in the garden as an alternative.
Amount of roof space
The recommended roof space for a standard selection of solar panels is 20 square metres, though it can be done with 15. Your installation is dependent on your roof size.
Attic space
Space is needed for the inverter and, potentially, any batteries. This does not need to be a full attic, but there must be some kind of storage area close to the roof.
Rooftop damage
Your roof needs to be structurally sound, and strong enough to support the panels. If not, costly alterations or repairs may be necessary.
Some of these problems can be mitigated, whilst others may mean that your rooftop cannot have effective solar panel coverage. In these cases, you may be able to install panels in your garden, or you may prefer to investigate other forms of renewable energy.
Getting the most from a suitable roof
Where a property does suit solar, the case for installing panels is strong. Modern panels are efficient and increasingly affordable, and they can reduce household energy bills considerably. Large, unshaded roofs are especially well placed to make the most of them, which is why sports grounds, factories and other big buildings are adding panels as part of wider plans to cut their carbon footprint.
Battery storage adds another layer of benefit. Without a battery, electricity that is generated but not used straight away goes back to the grid. With one, a household can store that power and use it in the evening, which reduces reliance on the National Grid and gives homeowners more control over their energy use and spending.
Before going ahead, check the factors above carefully and ask an installer to assess your roof. If it passes, panels can deliver real savings and a lower carbon footprint over many years, and seeing them on prominent local buildings often encourages neighbours to look into it too.