Solar panels instead of a roof

[SaudisLoveAudis]

Hi All, I hope you are well.
Do you know if I can install solar panels instead of a roof surface but act as one?
Please advise.

 

[big-all]

Hi All, I hope you are well.
Do you know if I can install solar panels instead of a roof surface but act as one?
Please advise.

Suggest even basic research online will help you answer this question
in my opinion, if you have to ask this question you have done zero research ??

 

[noseall]

Hi All, I hope you are well.
Do you know if I can install solar panels instead of a roof surface but act as one?
Please advise.

Yes - to a degree. We have just installed a load (for an electrician) whereby we had to remove the tiles and discard, and fit panels in their place. Some tiles did remain on the roof though, as the panel size and roof shape meant that you don't replace the tiles in their entirety.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You can get PV solar slates nowadays, I daresay other styles other than slates will become available if they're not already ....

 

[SaudisLoveAudis]

In my case it is going to be difficult to achieve 35-40 degrees angle of the roof for the best solar panel performance. It looks like the angle of the roof is going to be 8-10 degrees - too flat for that.
I think what I need in that case is some mounting solution to attach e.g. a rack of 3 big panels or 6 smaller panels on top of the roof at the correct angle.

 

[Lotuszone]

I’ve seen people try it, but the panels still need a proper waterproof layer underneath. They’re great for power, but they’re not a weatherproof roof on their own.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I’ve seen people try it, but the panels still need a proper waterproof layer underneath. They’re great for power, but they’re not a weatherproof roof on their own.

Eh? They can be fitted as a replacement for slates or tiles, the panels just have the membrane & battens underneath just like the rest of the tiled or slated roof areas.

 

[^woody^]

25 year compared to 75 year life. How does that factor in to savings in electricity?

 

[aveatry]

I saw something years ago where the actual tiles were the solar panels and they connected together as you lay them. ?

 

[noseall]

25 year compared to 75 year life. How does that factor in to savings in electricity?

Pretty good considering that the solar trays will still perform as a weathering surface, regardless. I'd imagine the actual panels can be swapped without a lot of fuss.

 

[robinbanks]

Hi All, I hope you are well.
Do you know if I can install solar panels instead of a roof surface but act as one?
Please advise.

Take a look at GSE In Roof Solar Trays

Solar panels could form a weathering surface but they don’t interlock in a way that would keep water out at the joints, not that that would be impossible to arrange but you’d be DIYing a lip of something onto the edge, and all in its simpler to just use a solar tray

 

[^woody^]

Pretty good considering that the solar trays will still perform as a weathering surface, regardless. I'd imagine the actual panels can be swapped without a lot of fuss.

Assuming the PV panels are kept to the same design and fitting as technology and manufacturers change.

 

[Lotuszone]

I’ve had good results sourcing panels and storage for mixed residential and C&I setups through https://www.raylyst.eu because they cover everything from tech support to financing, which saved me a ton of back-and-forth. Since they stock gear from big manufacturers and deliver across most of Europe, it’s been easy to keep projects moving without delays.