Can I install solar roof tiles on my roof?

Firstly, it's great that you are considering installing solar energy roof tiles! However, it is important to realise that not everyone can install our photovoltaic tiles. Therefore, before your solar journey begins, it is important to check your suitability and the best way to do this is through a certified professional installer.

Our engineers will design a bespoke system just for you, tailored to your constraints and meeting your needs. The first step is to find out if your property is suitable for solar, then you will be given a free quote, along with roof engineering drawings.

There are 4 main factors that go into whether or not a solar roof tiles installation is suitable. sgbsolar speaks to you about designing the best solar solution for you based on these factors.

The first and most important point is the slope angle of the roof, which determines whether your roof can be fitted with solar roof shingles .

Roof angle: Both the slope and the direction of the roof will indicate how much sunlight the roof is exposed to during the day. The ideal roof is one that faces south, is unshaded and has a pitch angle of between 15 and 60 degrees.

Note that if you have a flat roof with no slope, then unfortunately we cannot install photovoltaic tiles.

Direction: A south-facing roof is the best choice, but of course an east or west facing roof will have little effect, with a loss of approximately 15 per cent of the electricity generated. So with the right combination, your PV system can make a maximised investment. Of course, sgbsolar does not recommend a north-facing roof at all.

Space: The size of your roof will determine the maximum number of PV tiles allowed and the maximum amount of solar energy that can be generated. Essentially, the larger your roof area the more photovoltaic roof tiles you can install and the more renewable energy you can generate.

The size of your photovoltaic system depends on your current electricity consumption. sgbsolar's solar installers will always ask for your energy bill at the start of the quotation, and it would be great if you could provide us with the last six months' bills. This is because you have to design a solar system that works with your lifestyle.

Therefore, it is also important to provide detailed information about when the energy is being used. If your home is occupied during the day, then you can use the energy when it is captured on the roof. However, if you use most of your electricity at night, then a battery storage system will be the best option.

Nearby buildings, trees or chimneys have the potential to cast shadows on your solar panel array. Even though this may only apply to certain parts of the day, shading can still affect your system generation. This becomes a major problem when solar tiles are all connected in sequence. When one panel falls into shadow, the entire array will stop generating. So, try to keep your roof as unshaded as possible so that you can get the most value out of your PV tiles.

We will gain insight into these factors by obtaining your address details and we are able to locate your property on Google Maps. This also allows us to create a CAD model of your property and calculate your potential savings.

By providing a specific address, the solar installer is able to calculate whether the light intensity in your area is sufficient to power the system. Nevertheless, in some cases there are technologies that can help combat lower light intensity, such as battery storage. sgbsolar will be happy to arrange a call with you to discuss your options.

As a manufacturer of solar roof tiles, sgbsolar's goal is to make clean energy available to everyone without worrying about high electricity bills. We provide you with customized roof solar solutions based on your roof space and power needs. If you need technical assistance, sgbsolar has professionals who will help guide you through the installation and commissioning process to start your cost-saving initiatives.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to open the chat window and say hi.