Can you install solar panels on a flat roof?

You can install solar panels on a flat roof, but it’s much easier on the flat roofs of large, commercial buildings, which are typically very strong. The vast majority of residential flat roofs in the UK are not suitable for solar panels, due to a variety of reasons.

Do you need planning permission to install flat roof solar panels?

You usually need planning permission to install flat roof solar panels. Solar panels on pitched or tilted house roofs rarely require planning permission because they fall under the ‘permitted development’ category – but that’s not the case with flat roof solar panels.

Should solar panels be flat?

Solar panels should not be flat because they can collect water, which will build up on the surface and damage the solar cells. So, it is much better to angle them; not too much – as little as three to four degrees tilt will ensure that rainwater continually glides off the surface if you have a flat roof.

How far apart should solar panels be on a flat roof?

However, as a general rule of thumb, you need about one metre between each row of solar panels on a flat roof. Building and safety regulations also require a minimum distance of 0.5-1m between the solar panels and the edge of the roof. Where is the best place to put solar panels on a roof?

Can a flat roof damage a solar panel system?

Flat roofs can quickly accumulate standing water, damaging your solar panel system. You’ll need proper drainage to prevent water from pooling around the solar panels. You’ll also need a tilted mounting system to allow the rain to fall away from the surface of the solar panels instead of collecting on the flat surface.

How do flat roof solar panels work?

Once the flat roof solar panels have been installed, they will absorb energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. The one drawback with stationary flat roof solar panels is that they can't turn to face the sun's direction. This is where an automatic solar tracker system comes into play.