Ground mounted vs roof mounted solar
- Thread starter toquark
- Start date
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
I think you have to have planning permission for ground mount but not roof.
Build a new shed with PD and face it the right way would be worth considering.
Build a new shed with PD and face it the right way would be worth considering.
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
For such a system probably not a lot of difference as scaffolding plays a big part. Ground mount has big vantage for cleaning and servicing
I have solar panels on a shed roof which has grey slate (12 year old system). The fitters did a rough job - holes in felt, etc - no way I would have them do that on a house roof.
Talking to a different fitter (a very nice person though not much of a craftsman) and hearing his stories of bodged jobs done on house roofs, I would only do it if I knew the fitters well and they were top class.
My neighbour just had solar panels integrated into the roof as part of a renovation, and their workmanship looked totally unacceptable to me.
Also, you want the panels to be there for 40+ years, and in that time you will likely need to do work on your house roof.
More recently (5 years ago), I had solar panels installed on a new build shed which has a steel sheet roof - I built the shed intending to put panels on (so I put plywood sheets under the steel, so you can walk about on the roof easily, wooden purlins for the solar fitters to drill into, etc), and that has worked well.
In my opinion, house roof is probably the worst option, unless you have nowhere else at all to put them (e.g. people who live in towns and have small gardens).
Another neighbour did ground mounted panels last year - he bought and physically installed them himself, and got a sparky he knew to do the commissioning, paperwork etc. That looked like a good option - also he ignored planning rules/application and seems to have got away with it.
Talking to a different fitter (a very nice person though not much of a craftsman) and hearing his stories of bodged jobs done on house roofs, I would only do it if I knew the fitters well and they were top class.
My neighbour just had solar panels integrated into the roof as part of a renovation, and their workmanship looked totally unacceptable to me.
Also, you want the panels to be there for 40+ years, and in that time you will likely need to do work on your house roof.
More recently (5 years ago), I had solar panels installed on a new build shed which has a steel sheet roof - I built the shed intending to put panels on (so I put plywood sheets under the steel, so you can walk about on the roof easily, wooden purlins for the solar fitters to drill into, etc), and that has worked well.
In my opinion, house roof is probably the worst option, unless you have nowhere else at all to put them (e.g. people who live in towns and have small gardens).
Another neighbour did ground mounted panels last year - he bought and physically installed them himself, and got a sparky he knew to do the commissioning, paperwork etc. That looked like a good option - also he ignored planning rules/application and seems to have got away with it.
There are PD rights for both but the legislation is different whether it be dommestic or non-domestic ground/buildings. There are limitations on size etc.
@toquark - feel free to drop me a message if you want me to look into it for you.
toquark
Member
This was my thinking, I would expect the house roof will need some work inside the next 20 years or so, so I'm reluctant to have to install them twice.
toquark
Member
Expensive way to install some panels!
That said the next shed which will replace a couple of very old ones will be situated to suit panels
tsunami30
Member
There's a third option you might be forgetting about - portable solar panels, so not mounted at all but means you don't have to worry about permanent space, underground wiring systems, and planning permission etc. Brands like Bluetti and EcoFlow have portable panels of 400W+ and you can get several and hook them up to a battery or solar generator (inverter + battery). Here's an article about Bluetti vs EcoFlow which compares some of their options, if that's something you're interested in.
Beames
Member
- Location
- South wales
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
I get the argument that ground mount are better for cleaning etc but I just know someone would crash into them. Most probably me.
- Location
- Wales UK
People forget these barns roofs are not rated for extra weight too??
will_mck
Member
Be careful who you let onto a roof. I've a small shed 60x40 with a fibre cement roof, the solar panel fitter told me he was a professional roofer. He installed rails and then 18panels. Next day there had been over night rain. 7 of the fibre cement sheets now leak. On closer inspection he clearly screwed down the nails until the sheets cracked, he'd have known this before he left the job because standing on the ground you could see daylight where he'd split the sheets unless he's a complete half wit, I'll replace the sheets and fit the railings next time if someone helps me off with the panels. Seems we're surrounded by idiots in the world of tradesman these days. Definitely wouldn't left anyone near a house roof, this is why I fitted it to a nearby shed
- Location
- Wales UK
Any link to those base box firm??I installed this ground mount system last week for a customer. Base box’s come flat pack which you just fill with ballast to hold in place
Last edited:
- Location
- sw scotland
Fitting on a slate is tricky. One reputable firm here avoids them. You can't just let them drill through with a bit of sealant. Need to have slates lifted and proper mounting plates.
I would like some on the ground but PP needed in Scotland and sure as a cats a hairy beast some Limmy bullock would get into the garden
I would like some on the ground but PP needed in Scotland and sure as a cats a hairy beast some Limmy bullock would get into the garden
- Location
- Cirencester
I have 11kw on a shed roof, its great but I would ground mount if I did again or put it on a roof with more pitch. Ideally ground mount would be adjustable in angle so you get better performance in the winter (when you tend to need it most)
In summer my 15kw of batteries will be fully charged by 9/9-30am in winter some days they won't fully charge at all.
In summer my 15kw of batteries will be fully charged by 9/9-30am in winter some days they won't fully charge at all.
toquark
Member
Close… Scotland
toquark
Member
The house roof is tiled, but the same problem arises. Ideally I’d reroof the panel side of the roof and inset the panels flush with the new tiles as opposed to bolt them on top of old tiles which will probably need replaced before the panels reach the end of their lifespan.
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
Certainly my house panels which are at a very high angle have a very different production curve with a much higher output relatively in winter. Overall very little to choose in total output
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
Don’t set them in . Panels need as much air around them as possible , they will produce the maximum at absolute zero, handy in space but not here.
Was working on a roof the other day. Panels got too hot to handle but roof was cool underneath the panels. The draft coming up the roof under the panels was probably near 50c.