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Replacing a garage roof and installing solar?

UnderOpenSky

UnderOpenSky

baseline neural therapy
We’ve lived here for a little over two years now. For many, it might not be considered a not very desirable area, but I love it and can’t see us moving. I’ve also always liked the idea of solar panels, but didn’t think it would be practical on the house for various reasons, such as the unapproved roof conversion the previous owners did. However, it recently occurred to me that our garage roof is perfectly south-facing and is wired into the mains. The problem is the roof is quite old and contains asbestos. I believe you can fit solar panels to an asbestos roof, but given how long I’d want this setup to last, I think it makes sense to replace the roof first.

I’m still getting my head around solar, but in a way, I find that easier. It’s basically a tech problem, and I can research it. My understanding so far is that it’s much cheaper to have panels and batteries that significantly reduce your bill than to try to get all your power from solar, which works out well since the garage isn’t that big. Has anyone had solar fitted? What did you go for, and do you think it was a good investment? Is it ever worth bothering with a few north-facing panels as well? I’ve got a video meeting with Octopus (who we use for energy) tomorrow to ask some basic questions; I figure it’s more fair to take up a big company’s time at this point.

It’s the garage roof I’m a bit more confused about. I believe metal sheets are the way to go, but they can lead to more condensation. Some of this can be mitigated with a membrane or some sort of insulation. This is where I find it all a bit harder to figure out what’s what. I need to know more before I phone anyone for quotes. I have no idea how much it would cost, and it might be too much to make it worthwhile. Again, has anyone had this done? Is there anything special I should look out for, other than ensuring the roof can support the weight of the solar panels?

Anyway, I might be asking in the wrong place, but if anyone has experience with either, I’d really appreciate hearing from you. :)

Garage.jpg

My manky garage
 
Really really stupid question. Could I have long poles from the north side fitted so I could have extra south facing panels? Kind of like this without the terrible MS Paint skills?

Or the roof shape changed so it was all south facing and flat on the north side?



1731447535663.png
 
I think solar panels have moved on a lot since ours were fitted, they can charge batteries now so you can use that before going back 'on grid', which ours don't do. The council fitted ours so don't know about costs but I wanted to say it halved our leccy bill at the time and that is with the council getting a cut.

Panels tend to absorb brightness rather than just sun so if they were on the north roof I think you'd still get something from it.
 
geminisnake said:
I think solar panels have moved on a lot since ours were fitted, they can charge batteries now so you can use that before going back 'on grid', which ours don't do. The council fitted ours so don't know about costs but I wanted to say it halved our leccy bill at the time and that is with the council getting a cut.

Panels tend to absorb brightness rather than just sun so if they were on the north roof I think you'd still get something from it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes, I think batteries are essential for the way we use power. I think you can also do clever things with them if you get big ones, like have them charge from the mains at night when electric is cheaper. But that's a heck of an investment to be at the whim of electric prices.

I've also had a crazy thought about making the roof totally south facing, thus gaining more space by bricking up the north facing wall, so the whole roof was just south facing. It's probably a totally stupid idea, or more people would do it. But would also give me more vertical space in the garage.
 
We have 11 panels on our main house roof feeding into a mains connected battery. When we had ours done we were told that our south facing shed roof (about 3m x 4m) was not sufficient size to make it viable in that location. All sorts of regulation understandably governs connection to mains so I assume that needs to be done by appropriate electrician for building regs. You would also have to ensure garage roof etc (extended or not) would be stable in wind uplift conditions. I guess you will also have issues in disposing the fibre cement sheeting.
Very pleased with ours. Good luck.
 
You can alter the roof but permitted development rules apply to the height and roof design.

I think you need a new cable to transfer the electricity to the house.
 
pug said:
You can alter the roof but permitted development rules apply to the height and roof design.

I think you need a new cable to transfer the electricity to the house.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah that planning permission thing. :D

I've heard the exisiting cable might not be up to scratch, it's one thing I'll Octopus for to check. It could well be digging up a load of concrete and relaying makes the project more then I can afford to spend.
 
geminisnake said:
I think solar panels have moved on a lot since ours were fitted, they can charge batteries now so you can use that before going back 'on grid', which ours don't do. The council fitted ours so don't know about costs but I wanted to say it halved our leccy bill at the time and that is with the council getting a cut.

Panels tend to absorb brightness rather than just sun so if they were on the north roof I think you'd still get something from it.
Click to expand...
Neighbours recently had panels fitted on south roof but also a somewhat shaded north roof which I found very strange, but apparently all is working well.
 
two sheds said:
Neighbours recently had panels fitted on south roof but also a somewhat shaded north roof which I found very strange, but apparently all is working well.
Click to expand...

Apparently panels on north facing roofs can generate around 60% of the output. compared to those on south facing roofs.
 
I'm wondering if it would make sense for us to charge our car from solar power.

I'll watch this thread for interest.
 
existentialist said:
I'd say that is one of the best use cases...except that cars are often in use during the day and charging overnight, so you'd need to think about battery storage.
Click to expand...

My understanding looking at prices is this seems pretty default these days.

But no idea about how much battery capacity you'd need for an EV
 
Had a couple of calls today. Octopus aren't intrested. Basically they want simple setups and won't install to outbuildings which I get, but they guy was nice and when I tried to end the call for his sake he said it was ok and kept answering questions.

First roofing provider was what I expected. Wanted to know what I wanted done and knew nothing about solar. I apologized in light of the Octopus conversation that I didn't have all my info yet.

Second was more interesting. He asked what I wanted and I said some kind metal roof with an insulation layer, but told him I'd appreciate his input and says he much prefers rubber roofs which I'd not heard off, but they come with a 25 year guarantee. We also talked about changing the roof pitch from double to mono, which he can't do but knows people. And knows people who do solar and is local and said he could co-ordinate the project. Which sounds amazing but also perhaps way more then I'm hoping to spend.
 
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