Is my roof suitable for solar?

If you're wondering whether your roof is suitable for solar panels, we've got you covered! The good news is that with big advances in solar panel technology, solar panels can work effectively on far more roofs than they used to. Gone are the days where you needed a south facing expanse to make solar panels worth it.

Having said that, there are still some things to keep in mind. Let's break it down together.

The short answer

But before we get into that, if you want a quick & reliable answer to this question and you want it without having to do any further reading or research - then I have great news: you can skip the rest of this article and simply fill out our quick online quiz. Based on the answers you provide and some clever 3D imaging software, we'll assess your roof for you without you having to lift a finger. The quiz takes less than 45 seconds and we'll email you the results, it's easy as that.

However, if you're the kind of person who likes to understand things for yourself, then the rest of this article is for you. So with that said, let's go ahead and jump into the detail.

Key roof requirements

Generally speaking, any roof that's in good condition and has no major obstructions or shadows, can be superb for solar. It’s best if the roof isn’t north-facing and gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day (for obvious reasons!), but east, west, and in-between-facing are all solid choices for solar.

The best roofs for solar panels are typically pitched or sloped roofs made of durable materials like asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or concrete tiles. They offer better sun exposure and are commonly used for effective solar energy generation.

Space specifications and industry regulations

There’s also the question of space, of course. More solar panels = more energy, right? Well, yes, more solar panels will almost always translate to higher energy production and savings, but there is a limit to how many panels can be safely and effectively installed on your roof within regulated guidelines.

Unfortunately, adhering to safety and regulation in this way is not something all installers do. In fact, even with much more robust industry regulation standards now in place, many installers still play it fast and loose with these standards; extending panel placement all the way to the edge of your roof, putting the panels at risk of strong winds detaching them.

Although these installers (or, let's be honest, their sales teams) are driven by the desire to maximise the calculations of potential savings to make their product appear more “powerful” and attractive than competitors, they’re doing this at your expense and risk.

By not taking safety and regulations properly into account, these installers are leaving you with a solar installation, which doesn’t adhere to the necessary standards for certification and could put your home - and its future sale - at risk.

Professionally accredited installation

Therefore, when it comes to considering your roof’s solar potential, it’s very important to take a balanced approach, and ensure any solar company you speak to is fully accredited. If you're not sure what that means, don't worry - you can read all about solar accreditations and why they’re important in our UK homeowner's guide to solar accreditations.

By striking the right balance, and maximising your solar generation safely, you can enjoy the benefits of a well-designed solar system that not only generates clean energy and saves you money, but also enhances the overall value of your home. By working with trusted professionals like, well...us, you can confidently make informed decisions and enjoy the full benefits of a professionally installed and properly optimised solar panel system.

It's not just your roof that matters

Which leads us nicely onto our last point - while your roof is of course super important when it comes to your home’s solar potential - it’s also important to remember the quality of panels can make a huge difference too. The great news is that solar tech has come on miles in recent years with the average efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels increasing approx. 50% (from 15% to 22%). That’s a pretty substantial step up in their ability to harness solar irradiance!

For those of you who aren't solar nerds (yet at least), to recap - solar irradiance refers to the amount of solar energy that reaches a specific area per unit of time, and is the key resource that solar panels harness to generate electricity. What makes modern solar panels impressive is their ability to capture different parts of the sun's light spectrum. This means that even if the sun isn't shining directly on the panels, they can still generate significant amounts of clean solar power for your home.

So, come rain or shine, clouds or clear skies alike, if you opt for a reputable company using the modern panels (like the lovely all black ones which we use, photographed below), you can trust they're up to the task. If installed professionally, you can sit back and relax, knowing your panels will be capturing solar irradiance and converting it into a reliable source of clean, green energy for your home - regardless of your roof type, material or position.

Summary

So in conclusion, despite what you might think — or perhaps what was true 10 years ago — most roofs these days are suitable for solar panels. And finding out if your roof is suitable for solar couldn’t be easier with Sunsave; it only takes 45 seconds to answer our solar suitability quiz. (Yup, we timed it!)

Once we’ve received your (multiple choice) answers, our team will look at your roof remotely using 3D imaging software and take into consideration lots of additional more technical factors so that you don’t have to. We’ll then come back by email to let you know how suitable your roof is for solar in a matter of days (and often as quickly as minutes). It’s free, easy and without any kind of obligation to proceed.

So, what are you waiting for? Why not check out your roof’s solar suitability today!