The benefits of solar panels mean that many people have already had them installed on the roofs of their homes. If you have been considering solar panels, you may be wondering whether your home is suitable. The good news is that most houses catch enough sunlight to make solar panels worthwhile, but there are some points to consider.
Direction of Roof
Solar panels are best installed on a south-facing rooftop. However, roofs that face southeast or southwest will also give you good results. According to Eco-Home Essentials, you can even have solar panels fitted to both east and west sides of a roof, so that one side gets sun in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Size of Roof
The larger your rooftop area, the more solar panels you can have. This allows you to harness more energy from sunlight to power your home.
Pitch Angle
Roofs with a steep pitch will not get as much sunlight as roofs with a flatter pitch where solar panels face the sun more directly. However, you will still see some energy-saving benefits on a steep pitch if it is south-facing.
Planning Permission
In some areas, you may be required to get planning permission for solar panels. For most domestic homes, planning permission is not required provided solar panels are installed following set guidelines, such as not projecting up more than 200mm from the highest part of the roof. Other reasons why planning permission may be required is if your home is in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) or heritage site.
How to Find Solar Panel Services
From solar panel installers Burnham to Aberdeen, there is no shortage of professionals who can survey your home. The best way to find local installers is by conducting an internet search, which will bring up a list of results in your area, for example, https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installers-burnham.
Solar panels can help you make big savings on your energy bills. And with most homes having good suitability, it is an avenue to explore if you want to lower your home’s energy consumption.
