Solar panels on the roof offer a sustainable and renewable source of energy, significantly reducing your reliance on traditional electric power while decreasing carbon emissions.
The system is made up of individual panels mounted onto the roof which sit on top of your existing tiles or other roof finish. This solar roofing system is proven and widely available, but the main downside is the aesthetics. With an on-roof system, the panels are clearly added on as an afterthought and are not integrated into your home.
On-roof solar panels make up the most widely recognisable solar roofing system in the UK. The system is made up of individual panels mounted onto the roof which sit on top of your existing tiles or other roof finish. This solar roofing system is proven and widely available, but the main downside is the aesthetics.
This will be the case with most in-roof solar PV systems, such as those from GSE Integration. GSE is one of the most commonly used in-roof systems, versatile enough to fit most types of roof and compatible with most of the solar PV panels you can buy in the UK. Costs rise if you need to have tiles removed before the system can be installed.
When light hits the solar cells, photons from the light are absorbed by the cells, creating an electric field across the layers of the solar panel and causing electricity to flow. It's the same process whether the panels are integrated into the roof or on top of it. The main difference is how they're installed and how they look on the roof.
Also known as solar roofs, solar tiles, or solar roof tiles, solar shingles are tile-shaped panels permanently installed on your home's roof. They have the appearance of traditional roof tiles, just like traditional solar panels, solar shingles are equipped with photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
Can solar panels be installed on a roof?
A professional installer needs to survey your roof to make sure it's suitable and strong enough for solar panels. Their assessment will consider factors like the age of your roof, its structural integrity, and any repairs needed. Roofs with weight limitations can benefit from the use of lighter in-roof solar panels.