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Frequently Asked Questions Domestic Solar Water Heating System How it Works Suitability Costs Surveys and Quotations Bespoke Design Service 5 Steps to Installation Components of a Solar System Hot Water Cylinder The Controller Drainback Tank or Expansion Vessel Case Studies

Is my Home Suitable?

The following questions will help you determine whether or not your home is suitable for a solar system. Theoretically all properties are suitable, however these questions are designed to give you an idea of what to bear in mind when getting a system installed on your property.


Do you own or rent your home?
If you live in a property where you do not have complete ownership and access to the roof, you will need to obtain written permission from the other parties involved before commencing any work. If you are a tenant you will need permission from the landlord.


Is your home located in a conservation area or is it a listed building?
- If the answer to either is yes, you will need to obtain planning permission from your local planning authority.
- The installation of solar panels is classified as a ‘Permitted Development’ under current Planning Legislation and therefore planning permission is generally not required. Further advice is available from the Solar for London team.

Do you have a suitable place to put the panels?
Homes ideally need a south facing roof area that is not overshaded by nearby buildings, trees or other objects. There should be sufficient area on the roof to exclusively accommodate a panel of between 2.75m² and 4m². The easiest way to ascertain the orientation of your roof is to imagine a clock with 12 o’clock pointing due north and 6 o’clock pointing due south. The ideal location for the panels is anywhere between 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock on the clock face, in other words due southeast to due southwest.

However, it is still possible to install a solar water heating system if your home has an east-west orientation by increasing the area of panel installed. One option is to install a panel on the east orientation to collect heat in the morning, with another panel on the west orientation to collect the heat in afternoon. It is not advisable to place solar panels on a north-facing roof.

The panel should be placed at an angle between 20° and 50° from horizontal. It is usual to install it in the plane of the existing pitched roof.

It is possible to place a panel on a flat roof but some extra design work will be required. The panel will have to be mounted on a special frame so that it can be angled towards the sun. Mounting the panel on a flat roof will incur an additional cost and will require planning permission.