Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have become an increasingly popular choice for homeowners wanting lower bills and to do their bit for the planet. However, not all houses are the same – homes with varying storeys, different roof types and roof styles. All of these in turn affect installation, equipment, efficiency and cost. We’ll look into a few different system styles and options, including why roof style and type as well as house style matters. Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions about the best solar PV system for your home.
House Styles
The house style plays a large part in determining both the cost and complexity of solar PV system installation. Homes can be detached, semi-detached, terraced, bungalow or townhouse, just to name a few! Customers often talk about putting panels on their garage, shed or outbuilding.
For most one and two storey homes, we use an Easi-Dec scaffolding system. This modular and mobile scaffolding provides safe and efficient access to roofs, making the installation process safe and smooth. However, for homes three or more stories high or those with difficult access, traditional scaffolding or cherry pickers are required. This is something that will be discussed with you during the free site survey that First Class Solar offers. Often, learning about the house style gives us a better indication of what system is most appropriate, and what equipment will be required to do the job safely.
Knowing your preference for the panel location also helps us to design an appropriate system. For example, if a customer would like their panels, inverter and batteries to go in/on their garage, we need to ensure that there is adequate ducting for the cabling to reach the meter on the house, or else we can offer a transmitter option, depending on the distance. It all sounds a bit complicated, but our expert technicians will walk you through each step.
Roof Type
The three most common roof types that we come across in Northern Ireland include tin, concrete tile and slate. All three can be suitable for solar panel installation, as long as the roof is in good condition and would be considered strong enough to hold the proposed panels.
- Tin roofs are the cheapest to install solar panels on due to their lightweight and straightforward structure.
- Concrete tile roofs are in between tin and slate – the installation process is more labour-intensive as the tiles need careful handling to avoid any breakages, contributing to higher costs.
- Slate roofs are the most expensive to install solar panels on due to their fragility and the specialised skills needed to handle them. Slate roofs require extra precautions to avoid damage, and the installation process is more complex and time-consuming, so you can expect your installation to be several hundred pounds more than if your roof was tiled.
Regardless of roof type, First Class Solar only works with one brand of bracketing for our solar PV installations, from a company known as Renusol. They are a high-end, German-engineered and operated company that makes roof bracketing systems for all roof types, which helps us ensure systems are installed to the highest standard possible – your panels definitely won’t be blowing away in the wind!
Roof Styles
Common roof styles include gable and hip roofs. Many homes also have dormers of varying sizes, and these roofs with multiple faces add complexity to solar panel installation. No matter the roof style, there are always considerations such as orientation, slope, chimneys, skylights and shading.
- Gable roofs – usually provide ample space for solar panels and allow for straightforward installation.
- Hip roofs – slopes on all four sides can limit the amount of usable space for PV panels, while the multiple angles and roof faces increase the complexity of the installation process.
- Dormers – often house windows, but can be larger extensions of the roof. Pose similar difficulties when thinking of shading and space for the panels.
The aim of this blog was to help understand the impact that house style, roof style and the roof type have on your potential solar PV system. These factors can influence installation costs, for example, the need for scaffolding or a tin vs slate roof, which is an extremely important factor when considering whether solar is a worthwhile investment for you. The team at First Class Solar want to provide honest, up-front, personalised advice for you, to ensure that when you decide to go solar, you know and trust in our process!
