Powering Your Future Sustainably
Complex Roof Assessment Services
A south-facing roof is the ideal aspect when it comes to locating your solar panels, but what about other orientations and more complex multi-aspect roofs?
East-West orientation is also very efficient as your panels will capture energy throughout the day. Each solar panel array can be optimised separately depending on its orientation to ensure you achieve the highest possible output from your roof.
Let us assess your roof and we will take into consideration any shading from chimneys, trees and neighbouring properties to accurately calculate the projected output realistically with our modelling software. Our quotations incorporate all these details to generate your return on investment and lifetime savings projections.
Renewable Energy Solutions for Residential and Commercial Property
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No South-Facing Roof?
When assessing your roof space we start with aerial imagery provided by Google and Bing. We then take into account any chimneys and vents, roof tile type and any access limitations. Our professional assessment software takes roof orientation, angle and shading into account before calculating your solar panel energy output, ensuring your projections are accurate. Without this level of detail, your quote would just be a meaningless figure based on assumptions.
East-West orientation works just fine, and while you have scaffolding in place it is even worth considering including any North facing aspect. We can also utilise flat-roof space and larger gardens with ground-mounted arrays.
Our installation engineers are experienced in many different roof and tile types, with mountings selected specifically for purpose and in line with manufacturers specifications and MCS guidelines. Your property is a primary asset, and a solar panel installation is a long term 25 year + investment. It is important your panels are mounted, installed and connected correctly to ensure trouble-free performance throughout their lifetime.
Ask About Our Comprehensive Design Service When You Book Your Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can solar panels be installed on non-standard or delicate tiles like slate and rosemary clay?
Yes, absolutely. While standard installers often turn down non-standard tile types, we specialize in custom mounting systems for slate, rosemary clay, pantile, and standing seam metal roofs.
Rather than drilling directly through fragile tiles, we use specialized flashing kits, solar hooks, and tile-replacement flashing plates. This ensures panel loads are anchored directly to the roof rafters beneath, preserving structural integrity and maintaining a 100% watertight seal without cracking original tiles. (Note: For thatched roofs, we typically recommend a ground-mounted array or outbuilding installation due to fire safety and structural constraints).
How do solar panels perform on complex, multi-aspect, or shaded roofs?
Properties with hips, dormers, or split pitches (such as East-West roof faces) can still achieve outstanding annual solar yields by using advanced system engineering.
On complex roofs, standard central inverters can suffer if one panel is shaded or facing a different angle. We solve this by utilizing module-level power electronics (MLPE)—such as SolarEdge Power Optimizers or Enphase Microinverters. This allows every individual panel to operate independently at full efficiency, capturing solar energy from dawn till dusk across multiple roof faces regardless of shading from chimneys or nearby trees.
Are flat roofs suitable for solar panels, and will installation damage the roof membrane?
Flat roofs (GRP fibreglass, EPDM rubber, or felt) are ideal for solar panels because we can tilt the array to the optimal angle (typically 10°–15°) and orient the panels due South for maximum energy generation.
To protect your roof warranty, we primarily use non-penetrating ballasted mounting systems. Instead of drilling into the roof membrane, the lightweight aluminum frames are anchored securely using calculated ballast weights sitting on protective rubber mats. This prevents leaks, distributes weight evenly, and engineered wind-deflectors prevent wind uplift.
When is a ground-mounted solar array a better choice than a roof installation?
A ground-mounted solar array is the perfect alternative if your roof is heavily shaded, structurally unsuited, orientating North, or if your property is a Listed Building with aesthetic restrictions.
Advantages of Ground Mounting:
- Maximum Generation: Panels can be angled precisely at the perfect pitch (30°–35°) facing true South without roof layout restrictions.
- Scalability & Maintenance: You are not limited by roof dimensions, allowing for larger system sizes that are easy to clean and inspect.
Ground-mounted systems require underground trenching to run cabling back to your consumer unit. In many cases, systems under 9m² qualify for Permitted Development, though larger arrays may require simple planning permission, which we manage entirely for you.
Do I need a structural survey or DNO grid approval for a complex solar installation?
For complex, older, or large multi-array installations, structural integrity and grid capacity must be verified before work begins:
- Structural Assessment: We conduct detailed structural load-bearing calculations during our technical survey. If your roof structural timbers require verification, we organize a formal Structural Engineer report to guarantee safe load distribution.
- DNO Approval (G98 vs G99): Standard systems up to 3.68kW per phase require basic notification (G98). However, larger complex systems or multi-aspect arrays with battery storage often require prior DNO approval (G99) to connect to the local power grid. We handle all DNO paperwork, engineering schematics, and grid applications prior to installation day.