Solar energy is no longer a luxury for the rich and famous. It’s accessible and affordable and the easiest way to reduce your energy bill and lower your carbon footprint. But is your home ready to be powered by the sun?
At SolarTherm UK, we help UK homeowners make informed decisions every day. Whether you’re just starting to explore solar or already comparing installers, understanding what your home needs can make all the difference. Here’s what you really need to know.
What Makes a Home Solar Ready?
- Roof orientation and angle
For optimum results south-facing roofs receive the most sunlight in the UK, but if you have a east or west facing roof solar is still a viable option. You may get slightly lower output than a south facing roof, but with smart design and system optimisation you’ll still see big savings. Most pitched roofs in the UK have the perfect angle of 30-50°, however modern solar panels can be installed almost anywhere there is space with the correct mounting system and clever designing.
- Roof size and shade
A typical 3-bedroom home needs around 15-25m² of roof space for an installation. The higher your energy usage, the larger the space required for the installation. A roof with little to no shade is more desirable, but with the development of SolarEdge power optimisers and microinverters, having shade is no longer seen as a guaranteed reason not to go solar.
- Roof type and structure
Solar can be installed on almost all roof types, the only roof material we won’t install on is thatched roofs and glass roofs.
Before installation we’ll carry out a site survey where we’ll check the suitability of your roof, including whether the roof can weight bear the solar panel array and whether there is any damage to your roof that needs repairing before installation.
Other Considerations to Make Sure Your Home is Solar Ready
- Energy usage
High energy consumers benefit most from solar. Having low electricity bills (below £60 per month) will usually result in a longer payback period and lower savings. Having electric heating, a heat pump or EV can boost your solar savings as these can be expensive to run through the grid.
- Battery storage
Battery storage allows you to store excess energy for use at night or on low-generation days. They will increase the cost of your initial investment and your payback period but if you use most of your energy in the evenings can prove to be a worthwhile additional investment.
- Planning permission
While most solar installations don’t require planning permission under permitted development rights, if you live in a conservation area or a listed building permission is required. We’ll help you manage this if required.
Why Choose SolarTherm UK?
We’re not just another solar installer to add to the list. We’re the longest running solar installer in the South East, with over 15 years experience in the solar industry. We’re also proud Gold Members of EPVS, meaning our performance, savings and payback estimates are verified by an independent party.
So….Is Your Home the Perfect Match?
Chances are you’ve ticked at least one of the boxes to be a match for solar. Even if your roof isn’t perfectly south facing, or you have a flat roof, with modern solar technology and some clever designing most properties can benefit from solar savings.
At SolarTherm UK we offer a free bespoke design package, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice – we let the figures speak for themselves.
