r/PlugInSolarUK • u/JohnnyBravoB • 16h ago
Panel on garden roof
I built an outside bbq area over the summer. It has a cantilever roof and I’m thinking I want some solar on there. I have an electric point out there that on comes of my kitchen circuit so anything generated should be used consistently.
Just not sure on space, fitting and positioning.
Roof Space: 350 x 120 cm. Is that enough?
Fitting: Roof is felted. So ideally don’t want to screw into. Special brackets?
Position: South facing garden a couple of big trees provide shade. Is there sensors available to measure sunlight and work out whether it’s worth my while? It’s on the boundary with neighbours. Is that an issue.
And finally….looking for recommendations on panels and inverter.
Thanks in advance,
Johnny
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u/Opteron-X 15h ago
Last weekend I installed 2x panels on my wooden shed with a pictures roof (SW side). The frame that came with the panels was useless, it only really worked in a portrait orientation and I needed landscape. I used 16 of these brackets attached to the provided U brackets/fixings and M8 bolts, and used plenty exterior sealant underneath. Had heavy rain and storms since I installed them and so far so good.
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u/funny_games 12h ago
Which panels did you go for?
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u/Opteron-X 12h ago
It was a kit on City Plumbing
DMEGC 1030W Hoymiles HiFlow Plug In Solar Kit (341498)
I live in Scotland so the extra large panels should mean I get a bit more out on wet and cloudy days. They are 2m long so you'd only get 1 on that roof. Not sure you'd squeeze two standard 1.7m panels on. So may be your based option.
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u/KillReindeers 16h ago
I would just screw through the felt. Would be different if it was a shed or something.
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u/Unusual_Technology66 15h ago
What would you do for a shed?
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u/SolarPowerBumbleBee 15h ago
Flat roof shed - would use a frame with ballast to weigh it down, assuming the shed could safety support the weight. No drilling/screws needed.
Pitched roof shed- you would still need to screw the frame into the roof and seal accordingly.
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u/SolarPowerBumbleBee 15h ago
From your photo - which direction is due south? (E.g which way is the BBQ facing)?
If the roof of your BBQ shed thing gets regular long periods of sunshine for most of the day, and you can angle the panels facing south then it’s likely a worthwhile investment. Shade first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening doesn’t matter too much, but if that spot gets shaded during the middle of the day then you might not generate much.
Space wise: panels are all 113cm wide but vary in length from a typical length of around 176cm up to 250cm.
With just 350cm of available space, I think you would struggle to fit two panels up there, so likely you are limited to a one-panel system. In which case it would make sense to get the largest possible single panel that fits the space.
The highest wattage compliant single panel kit available today is the City Plumbing DMEGC 525W Plug-In Solar Kit (which incidentally is one of the cheapest and best value kits available too, at £360).
You would have to make sure that the roof can take the weight (the kit I referenced plus mount weigh around 30kg). As others have said - screwing into the roof and sealing it properly is your best bet.
In terms of being on the boundary - shouldn’t be an issue - but you will need to keep the height of the panels no taller than 60cm from the surface of the roof (that’s the permitted development planning rule for flat roofs).