Many homeowners across the Essex, Kent, London and the surrounding South East live in older properties that may not have been renovated for decades. A question we get asked at SolarTherm UK is “Can I install solar on my old roof?” In most cases it’s absolutely possible. With the right preparation and smart planning, you can enjoy the savings on energy bills and long-term benefits of clean energy, no matter the age of your roof.
Can Solar Panels Be Installed on Old Roof Tiles?
Older tiles may be more brittle, giving a slightly higher risk of breakages during installation. If you’re considering re-roofing, this can be the perfect time to choose an integrated in-roof solar PV system. With integrated solar panels, the solar panels replace your roof tiles, creating a sleek and less obtrusive finish to your roof, reducing material costs of your re-roofing.
If you’d prefer to keep your existing tiles, this is no problem either, our expert roofing team simply take extra care to ensure a safe and secure fit to your existing roof.
What if My Roof Is Weak?
At SolarTherm UK we always carry out a full site visit before installation, ensuring that your roof is structurally sound to hold the weight of your solar PV system. If reinforcement is needed, strengthening your roof will ensure long-term stability and make your installation safer and more efficient.
Listed or Older Buildings
For listed properties, rules for solar installation vary. Grade I and II buildings usually restrict roof-top solar installations and require Listed Building Consent (LBC) before installation can start. At SolarTherm UK, we can consider other options for a solar PV installation on your listed building, including roof-top solar on barns, sheds and outbuildings or a ground-mounted solar system on unused land. Heritage homes can still benefit from the power of the sun, even if you may be more restricted on where your solar panels can be fitted.
Roof Condition and Maintenance
Solar panels require very little maintenance, and most modern solar panels last longer than 30 years now before needing to be replaced. If you roof needs repairs, it’s cost effective to complete the repairs prior to your solar PV installation to prevent having to pay for expensive removal and refitting of your solar system in the future. Sharing scaffolding costs between roof repairs and solar panel installation can reduce overall costs.
Are Solar Panels Less Efficient on Older Roofs?
Not at all, the age of your roof doesn’t affect the efficiency of your solar panels. A well installed solar PV system, installed by MCS-certified installers will generate the same level of clean, free electricity whether your tiles are new or decades old.
In-Roof Systems for Old Roofs
If you’re upgrading your roof, an in-roof integrated solar PV system can be a smart investment. By replacing tiles with solar panels, you save on materials and reduce labour time, making installation faster and more cost-effective.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Most modern solar panels come with a minimum 25 year warranty and can last far longer, generating free electricity for more than 30 years efficiently. At SolarTherm UK, we install Bovill.tech all black solar panels, which come with an industry leading 99-year warranty on performance.
Boosting Property Value with Solar
Older properties often have a poor Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. Installing a solar PV system can increase your rating by a grade or more, reduce your reliance on expensive grid electricity and save you up to 70% off your energy bills. All of these can affect your property value, 60% of UK buyers say they would consider paying more for a property with renewable energy already installed, and studies have shown that a property with solar panels is valued 14% higher than one without.
Cost of Installing Solar Panels on an Old Roof
Installing solar panels on an older roof doesn’t usually cost more. In fact, if you’re replacing or strengthening your roof, it makes financial sense to install solar at the same time. Sharing the cost of materials, scaffolding and labour can often help reduce costs.
The Bottom Line
Whether your home has an old roof, has listed status or you’re considering a re-roof, a solar PV system remains one of the best investments for long-term savings and sustainability.
At SolarTherm UK, our expert team will help guide you through every step of the way, from design to installation to aftercare. We ensure every installation is tailored to your property’s unique needs, we don’t believe in one size fits all solar like other companies do.
Ready to Start Your Solar Journey?
Contact SolarTherm UK today for a free no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
