IS MY PROPERTY SUITABLE FOR SOLAR PANELS?
Is my Property Suitable for Solar Panels?
In an ideal scenario, the perfect roof for solar PV is relatively large, south facing and has an angle of between 30º and 45º. However, the beauty of solar PV is that with the right specification and Belectrix design even non-perfect roofs will achieve good results.
We’ve put some details together to help you with whether your property is suitable for solar PV, but in the finality if you have some specific questions contact us today for more information.
Here is Some Basic Considerations:
Energy Performance Certificate
The government has made conservative estimates, which suggest that approximately half of UK homes meet grade D. There is still a considerable amount of housing stock, including older buildings in particular that require modifications to improve energy efficiency. Some of the ways in which you can make improvements include a new boiler and insulation.
If you install a solar PV system however, it counts as 1 point under the new regulations and as such it is enough to take you into the next band. Therefore, if your property is currently rated E, you should apply for your EPC following the installation of a solar PV system. If you follow this process, your property should then be rated D.
Energy performance certificates were previously part of the home information pack, which has been scrapped. You may already have an energy performance certificate, but if you don’t Sustain are on hand to support you where necessary. We can take you through the details over the phone and give you all the guidance that you require.
The inverter is the largest piece of equipment that needs to be installed inside the
property. Ideally, there needs to be a clear space around it for cool air to circulate, so we recommend a space of approximately 1 m². The inverter is typically installed in the loft, as this reduces the amount of cable to run from the solar PV system to the inverter. Another ideal location for the inverter would be a garage which is attached to the property as it will be accessible but out of the way.
In ideal circumstances there should be space next to your existing meter or consumer unit. We will need to install a separate consumer unit, potentially, if there is no room within the current consumer unit, an isolator and a generation meter. We will typically mount any of this new equipment on a board which is attached to the wall
Most domestic properties have a single-phase connection, which will
support a solar PV system of up to 4kWp. A system of this size is usually the maximum size for a domestic property.
For larger solar PV systems it may be necessary to seek permission from the distribution network operator (DNO), given that the electricity production is greater and more electricity is likely to be directed back to the grid.
The status of listed buildings within United Kingdom may pose one or two 
issues in relation to the installation of a solar PV system.
The necessary alterations to the property may not be possible and due to the age of the property the roof structure may not be strong enough to support a solar PV system.
Each scenario is different and we will have to assess the property in detail before making any recommendations.