Can you install solar panels on a detached garage roof?

Installing solar panels on a detached garage roof is a great way to only power the tools or appliances in your outdoor space, but they can even be used to help power your home. Not sure where to start with installing solar panels on your detached garage? Join us as we look at the factors which are important to consider when thinking about how you can make the most of solar power.

What to consider when installing solar panels on a detached garage?

Your garage roof is no different to any other part of your home which you may wish to install solar panels on, meaning it's always best to research the most optimal solar setup for your property. However, when looking at detached garage roofs, there are several specific factors which must be considered.

Garage size

On average, a garage in the UK is about 5 metres by 3 metres, giving you a roof size of 15 metres square, enough for around 8 or 9 solar panels. This would be the case for a typical 440w 1.7 by 1.3 metre panel however, depending on your choice of solar panel, this might be less or more. Also, if you have a double garage, you will have the space to house a much larger solar panel system.

Angle and orientation

As we'll cover in more detail later, most garages have flat roofs, meaning you can be more flexible in terms of the angle your solar panels are placed at. Solar panels should be placed on the south facing side of a garage roof at an angle of 35 degrees for homes in the UK, regardless of location and time of year. We also recommend east/west splits, but we don't recommend north facing pitches. You can check out our full guide on the optimal angle for solar panels to find out more.

Shading

When it comes to solar energy, shading is always a possibility no matter where you fit your panels. Your garage is more likely to suffer from shading as it will usually be a shorter structure than your home, meaning it's more likely to be towered over by surrounding structures.

Before fitting your panels, check if there are any shadows on the roof of your garage. You can always ask one of Wickes Solar's experts prior to your installation if it's likely to be a problem. If the performance of your solar panels is likely to be impacted by shading, optimisers limit the knock-on effect that shading has across the entire string of panels. In a conventional string, if one panel is shaded, the current for the whole string can drop. With optimisers, each panel is managed individually, so shading on one doesn't drag down the others as much.

Planning permission

You usually don't require planning permission when installing solar panels on a garage roof however, this is dependent on the following things:

The garage must be located within, or no more than 5 metres, from the property's boundary.
The panels must only cause a few notable changes to the house or garage's overall appearance.
The system is part of one solar energy system.

These requirements may change depending on where you are in the country so it's always best to speak with an expert to get up-to-date, relevant information about planning permission.

What type of garage roof is best for solar panels?

Like any solar installation, the type of roof you have is going to affect the way the panels sit, their angle, and the best solar energy setup for you.

Flat roofs

Some detached garages have a flat roof in the UK, but this isn't an issue when it comes to installing solar panels. To achieve the optimal angle for solar panels on a flat roof, you'll need either solar 'tubs' or an angled rail system.

The angled rails systems are lightweight and used in most commercial installations, allowing the panels to be set in any direction and at any angle which is great if your garage is badly affected by shading.

Tubs are also very versatile but do need to be ballasted which means that they may be a little heavy for certain roofs. While many modern garage roofs are designed to withstand a certain amount of weight, it's always a good idea to have the condition of your roof surveyed to ensure it'll be able to withstand the weight of the solar panels, and any supports.

Angled roofs

Angled roofs on detached garages are far from common in the UK. This is a good thing in terms of installing solar panels as putting panels on an angled roof means you are constrained by the direction and tilt of that roof. This isn't an issue if your roof is at south-facing angle with an angle of between 30 to 50 degrees, however if this isn't the case, you won't be making the most of your panels.

Don't panic though if not, an east or west facing roof is also great if you split the panels across both sides. And you can use an adjustable mounting system to still achieve that optimal angle.

FAQs

It's possible to have a standalone solar system purely to power your garage however, you'll need to have a sufficient number of panels to power your tools, lighting, and heating - all of which can use a lot of energy. If you're planning on having solar panels as your sole source of energy for your garage, you should consider investing in a solar battery so you can use your garage's appliances outside of daylight hours.

You can absolutely use solar panels to charge your EV, but this shouldn't be the only source of power for your charging point. This is because solar panels only generate electricity during daylight hours which, unfortunately, is usually when your car is least likely to be near your home.

If the car is plugged in when the sun is shining, it will fully charge the battery on a normal UK day, but in winter you are going to need to draw from the grid.

Prices for individual solar panels start from £150 each, but the overall cost can vary based on type, quantity and more. For a more accurate solar panel cost, use our price estimator and find out how much it'll cost to upgrade your home today.

While you can install solar panels on your garage roof yourself, you wouldn't be able to connect the panels to the grid as this requires a qualified electrician. Energy suppliers often also require that your panels are MCS-certified to sell electricity back to the grid. Not to mention, it can be a dangerous task if done incorrectly without a knowledge of solar energy systems.

Whether it's pricing up your solar energy system, or installing solar panels on your roof, it's always best to leave it to the professionals. At Wickes Solar, we're here to support you through every step of your solar journey. To find out more, get in touch with Wickes Solar today and get a free no obligation solar panel quote.