Solar is one of the best upgrades you can make to a home, but a good installation starts long before the panels go up on the roof. Here are the ten things worth checking before you commit, in plain English, so you know exactly what a proper installer should be looking at when they survey your property.
1. Is your roof suitable?
The ideal solar roof is large, open, and free of obstructions like chimneys, vents and dormers, ideally facing south here in the UK, though east or west roofs work well too. You can get a rough idea yourself from Google Earth, or we will check it properly for you on a free survey and tell you what your roof can realistically generate.
2. Roof type matters
Some roof coverings are simpler to work with than others. Standard tile roofs are straightforward, while slate and flat roofs need a little more care and occasionally a structural engineer's input. We will tell you up front what your roof type means for the install and the price, with no surprises later.
3. Roof condition
If your roof is ageing or due for repairs, it is worth sorting that before the panels go on, because taking them off again later is an avoidable cost. If you are replacing the roof anyway, an in-roof (integrated) solar system is well worth considering. It can save money on the combined job and gives a neater, flush finish.
4. Can your roof handle the weight?
Panels are not light, at roughly 30 kg each once mounted and framed. On most homes this is no issue at all, but on older or non-standard structures a structural engineer should confirm the roof can carry the load before we proceed. It is a small step that avoids problems further down the line.
5. How big should the system be?
The right system size comes down to how much energy you use and how much usable roof you have. We use your smart meter data where we can to size it properly: big enough to make a real dent in your bills, but not so large that you are paying for generation you will never use.
Not sure where your home stands?
Call Chris on 01823 212 770 for a free, no-obligation survey. We check your roof, your electrics and your usage, then put it all in writing.
Call for a Free Survey6. Do you need batteries?
A battery stores the solar energy you generate during the day so you can use it in the evening and overnight. If a lot of your usage happens after dark, a battery can lift your self-consumption significantly and cut what you draw from the grid, which is where much of the long-term saving comes from.
7. Can your electrics handle solar?
Your main fuse, usually in a grey or black box near your meter, needs to be rated for the extra load. Some homes and businesses need a supply upgrade before solar can be added safely, and we will flag this on the survey if it applies to you rather than leaving it to become a problem on install day.
8. Is there space in your fuse box?
Adding solar, and especially a battery or an EV charger, often needs spare ways in your consumer unit. You may need a larger board, or a second one dedicated to the renewables side. We check there is room during the survey and include any upgrade in your quote, so the price you see is the price you pay.
9. Ground-mounted is an option
If your roof is not right for panels but you have garden or land, a ground-mounted array is a great alternative. It can be sized generously, angled perfectly for generation, and kept well away from any shading, often outperforming a compromised roof installation.
10. Get expert help
Every property is different, and an accurate quote comes from a proper assessment rather than a guess off a satellite photo. Have a local installer look at your roof, your electrics and your energy use so the advice and the costs are right for your home. We are always happy to come out and take a look.
Frequently asked questions
South-facing is ideal in the UK, but east and west roofs both perform well, and an east-west split spreads generation across the day. North-facing alone rarely makes sense. We assess orientation, pitch and shading on the survey before recommending anything.
No, but it usually helps. Without one you use what you generate in real time and export the rest. With one you store the daytime surplus for the evening, which suits most households and shortens your payback, especially on a time-of-use tariff.
Sometimes. Adding solar, a battery or an EV charger can need spare ways in your consumer unit, and occasionally a main-fuse or supply upgrade. We check this during the survey and include anything needed in a clear written quote.
You still have options. If the roof is the wrong shape, heavily shaded, or structurally limited, a ground-mounted array on garden or land can deliver the same benefits, often with better positioning. We will tell you honestly which route makes sense for your property.
