Solar Panels For Garage Roofs: All You Need To Know

Can You Have Solar Panels On A Garage Roof?

Absolutely, you can install solar panels on a garage roof in the UK. In fact, they are a great choice. They typically lie in plentiful, unobstructed sunlight and with the right placement and installation, you can maximise your garden space. Roof type isn’t typically a problem either, whether flat or sloped, attached, or detached, your solar installer should be able to design a system that not only maximises your space and sunlight absorption, but also shrinks your carbon footprint too.

While it might seem obvious given the topic of this article, let’s consider some of the key details:

Firstly, it is indeed legal to install solar panels on your garage roof in the UK. For most outbuildings, including garages, solar panel installations fall under permitted development rights, meaning you generally won’t need planning approval. However, specific conditions must be met to ensure your project qualifies for permitted development. Therefore, it’s always wise to check with your local planning authority to confirm compliance with these regulations.

Additionally, you need to ensure your garage roof is strong enough to support the solar panels. The structure should be robust enough to withstand wind lift, the added weight of the solar panels, and any snow loads during winter. The garage should be constructed from high-quality, durable materials to ensure it doesn’t collapse under the weight.

For a typical installation aimed at providing green energy to a residence, you’ll need around six to nine solar PV panels. This setup requires a larger garage, more akin to a single garage-sized workshop.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to power just the garage itself, a smaller solar panel setup might suffice. These systems typically generate less electricity, ideal for lighting or powering small devices and spaces. However, if you need to power heavy machinery or other high-energy equipment, a grid-connected system might be more suitable.

How Are Garage Roof Solar Panels Connected To Your Property?

In terms of the connection process, garage roof solar panels connect to your home much like house roof ones. After the solar panels are securely mounted onto your garage roof and positioned to capture the maximum amount of sunlight (which typically means facing south in the UK), an inverter is installed. The inverter is usually located in the garage or a nearby utility area. The inverter is the magic component which converts the direct current (DC) produced by the solar panels upon absorbing the suns light, into alternating current (AC) which is the type of electrical energy we can use in our homes.

The inverter is connected to your home’s electrical system via wiring. The cables will be run from the solar panels to the inverter and then from the inverter to your home’s main electrical panel. It goes without saying that the wiring must be done in accordance with local electrical regulations. The AC electricity generated by the solar panels is fed into your home’s main electrical panel, allowing the solar energy to be distributed throughout your property, powering your appliances and devices.

If your solar panels produce more electricity than you use, the excess energy can be sent back to the grid through a process called net metering. This requires a special meter that tracks the energy you export to the grid and the energy you import from it. You may receive credits on your energy bill for the surplus power you generate. Most solar panel systems come complete with a monitoring system which is installed to track the performance of the panels in real time. It’s great for viewing how much energy you are producing and using, helping you to optimise energy consumption.

Some homeowners add battery storage to their system as well, allowing them to store any excess solar energy produced during the day for use at night or during power outages. It’s very handy if for instance, you have an electric vehicle that you want to put on charge overnight.

For a professional explanation on the workings of solar panels, check out Tarven Solar Energy’s easy-to-understand guide to how solar panels work.

Is It Worth Putting Solar Panels On My Garage?

When weighing up whether or not to put solar panels on your garage or other outbuilding, you need to think about:

• What you use (or will use) your garage for
• How much power you need – for instance, is it simply to power the activities in your garage or your whole property?
• The size, age, and condition of your garage
• The strength and stability of the roof
• The position of the building
• Your budget

When considering how you use—or plan to use—your garage, solar panels can be life-changing, if you spend a lot of time there and need electricity for lights, appliances, gym equipment, garden tools or office appliances. Imagine the savings and eco-friendly benefits of powering your garage with solar energy instead of mains electricity, especially for heating or lighting purposes. The amount of solar energy you’ll need will depend on your specific usage, making it a tailored, cost-effective solution for your garage’s power needs.