Whilst the peak of summer is over, there are still plenty of benefits to installing solar panels onto your roof to generate electricity, and with the help of flat roof specialists, you can find the optimal installation to avoid any problems.

Whilst it is more common for homeowners to install solar panels on pitched roofs, it is perfectly possible to install solar panels on flat roofs as well, although there are some factors to keep in mind before they can be installed.

Here are some common questions about flat roofs and solar panels.

Do You Need Planning Permission?

Theoretically planning permission may not be necessary, but in order to enable the panel to generate a meaningful amount of electricity, it is more likely than not it will need planning permission.

Specifically, according to planning guidelines, the solar panels should not protrude more than 200mm above the flat roof, and should not be placed at the topmost point of a building aside from the chimney.

This causes problems for flat roofs because the optimal angle to position the panel would be above this threshold.

Why Do Solar Panels Need To Be Angled?

Typically on a flat roof, solar panels need to be installed at an angle of at least ten degrees but the ideal angle is closer to 35 degrees.

Part of the reason for this is that it allows the panel to be more exposed to sunlight during the day, and the other part is that it enables the solar panel to clean itself of dust and detritus.

Thankfully, most flat roof panels are installed on frames or self-mounted tubs, so they will be at the right angle regardless.

What About Stormy Weather?

Strong winds could potentially be an issue for flat roof panels, so the vast majority are either fixed to the roof using a supporting frame or are fitted to a tub filled with ballast such as gravel.

This means that solar panels are quite heavy when installed, so it is important to check if your flat roof can take the weight.