Question about in-roof solar?

[Terry Davies]

The real question should be how much more it would cost than putting tiles on your roof.

Generally speaking, in-roof panels are the same cost per sq m as tiles, so you would be crazy to not do in-roof.

Even if you have existing tiles you could use you are likely better off selling those and doing in-roof.

[Steve Smith]

In-roof panels are slightly less efficient than on-roof ones, and will produce slightly-less in hot weather, due to the fact that the panels heat up and aren’t ventilated. However, the difference is small, and will mainly just slightly reduce your midsummer bonanza of export. But, you won’t need to worry about bird-proofing; or wind-loading, if you are in an exposed spot. And, as others have said, you’ll save on tile cost and weight on the timbers. If you get an experienced solar installer to liaise with the chosen roofer, you could be onto a winner.

[John Stevens]

thanks mate. I would be doing solar regardless I think so isn’t it in roof solar Vs tile and solar? Rather than in roof Vs tiled roof? Forgive my naivety. Here to learn and appreciate your comments

[Terry Davies]

Seriously, the majority of people don’t know how incredibly cheap panels are. The scaffolding is likely the biggest expense, so it’s pretty much a no brainer to install solar when the scaffolding is there anyway.

I recommend getting a few quotations from installers. Not many builders or roofing contractors are familiar with solar so you need them to work together with the solar folk.

Also consider optimising the dimensions of your roof for solar.

When we did a conservatory roof replacement a few years back we did just that. There is just a single column if tiles are ready end of the roof. It looks fantastic too.

[Stefano Juba]

There’s a difference between solar tiles and panels installed in roof.

For panels installed in roof, you save on buying tiles for an equivalent area, but pay slightly more for the in roof fixing kit.

The solar tiles like the ones from GB Sol are slightly expensive but you don’t have panels sticking out, especially if it’s an extension, much more clean looking and minimal glare for neighbours. Check out GB Sol website for case studies.

Other option is marley solar tiles.

The solar tiles are slightly less efficient per m sq vs the solar panels.

If main roof, my personal preference would be panels in roof.

For an extension(again personal preference) would be solar tiles.

[John Stevens]

hi mate. Thank you for your comment. Can you expand for why you prefer it that way in terms of your final comment? Thanks

[Stefano Juba]

solar tiles are actually very expensive on a £/kWp basis.

Some look great, but many are just little panels. All have low efficiency.

Personally, I really like how full size in-roof panels look. Clean, unfussy and modern.

[David Sinclair]

In roof panels are a lot more attractive. However, sometime in the future replacement panel(s) may not have the same dimensions.

[Sophia Gray]

Thermal effects in hotter weather may affect the performance of the in roof system, as they can’t be cooled as well as on roof systems.

[Samuel Roberts]

Hi @stevo1974 , definitely worth looking at seeing as the roofs being taken apart anyway.

If you’d like to see what this would look like for you I’d be happy to put together a system design for you, if I can help at all drop me a message or send me an email to m.macneil@solarxpress.co.uk and I’ll get some further information off you to get this done.

[Ron Johnston]

Going through the same conversation here, we need to reroof an extension and it seems to be broadly the same money to fit in roof panels as it is to tile it, so the only added cost is the inverter.

Looking at layouts for ours, and the solfit kit looks like I can replace 90% of the roof tiles, somewhat I get maximum solar and just a single row of tiles around the edge of the roof to cover the flashings.

[Robert Tomlinson]

I’ve done this. By the time you factor in the roof costs, the difference is fairly minimal and I went Viridian route with microinverters. https://www.dreamgreenhouse.com/projects/extension/solar.php

dreamgreenhouse.com

House Extension Solar System

Estimating the benefits of adding a solar roof to our new house extension.

[Richard Keen]

Same thing our roof was designed with in roof panels but we decided against it in the end. Our problem was there was no clear liability in case of a leak

[Rich Taylor]

Good luck getting replacement panels to match in 20 years

[Rebecca Harrow]

This is a non issue >99.99% of the time. In 10+ years time the whole lot will be replaced by a much more efficient technology

[John Stevens]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the input. Sounds like a good enough option to do some more research and speak with some installers around Peterborough