There was much debate and no little criticism surrounding the Chancellor’s Spring Statement in March amid the cost of living crisis, but there was one measure that could undoubtedly be of great interest to those planning a flat roof extension.

Until the statement, anyone planning to install micro-renewables in or on their home would have to pay a VAT rate of five per cent. But Mr Sunak announced that this will now be completely free of VAT altogether.

This move has naturally been welcomed by the renewable sector and it covers items like insulation, heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels. The first two would, of course, be something installed in walls or under the floor, but the chance to install solar power devices on a flat roof at a lower cost will be welcomed by many.

Renewable energy firm MCS was among those to express delight at the news. Chief executive officer Ian Rippin said it was a “positive step to make green energy cheaper and more accessible to consumers”.

He added that it will “make solar PV even more accessible and will allow consumers to take advantage of the multiple benefits of solar, including reduced energy bills and enhancing the value of a property”.

Mr Rippin said it also made the undertaking easier for firms installing solar panels, as they could carry out the procurement element of the process without having to tackle the “complex” rules on VAT.

The key to being able to install photovoltaic panels is to have a roof that is robust enough to take their weight and, just as importantly, is located in the right position to capture the best of the sun, rather than being blocked off by obstacles such as nearby walls, trees or other buildings.

So, if you can establish a flat roof extension in the right place to catch the solar rays, it could be a case of fixing the roof before the sun shines!