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Beanbag112233
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August 13, 2022
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Solar PV panels on a garage roof - what area do they need to cover?

  • August 13, 2022
  • 12 replies
  • 1400 views

Hi

I'm just recovering from the shock of my new renewal quote and feel it has greatly improved the economics of solar cells.  My main house roof is east/west but i have a well  placed flat garage roof. Has anyone  experience of installing pannels on a garage roof? What sort of area do I need for a typical three bed bungalow with retired occupants?

 

Thanks

Best answer by MadArgy

If you have space on your house roof an East/west solar array might serve your needs better than a South facing array. While each panel won't generate as much electricity you will start generating earlier in the morning and still be generating in the evening when a South facing array has stopped. This means you should use more of your generated electricity, which will save you money.

 

It's difficult to say what size of array would suit you. Most people simply fit as many panels as they can. A decent solar PV company will be able to tell you how many panels you can fit and should also provide information on the different options.

 

 

The companies that sell and install solar panels will do a suitability check of your roof, including efficiency based on the facing direction and how many panels you can fit, as part of the estimate of what it would cost to install them. Leave it to the experts… it’s free…

12 replies

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waiwurrie
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September 4, 2022

I agree that an E/W split can work well - it is what we have (installed late July).  To date we consume 60% of what we have generated. I expect this to increase as we move into winter which I expect to increase as a percentage as we move towards winter which is why we don’t have a battery.  Our tree shaded Easterly set of panels have been kicking in around 6.30 am and  our Westerly facing panels knocking off around 7:30pm. Yes the peak power produced is less than the max possible for that number of panels but that is not the objective. At the moment OVO would give me 4p for every kWh I export but I would be paying 10 times that from October for every kWh I buy from them.

 

You can get more detailed modelling help from

https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/pvgis-photovoltaic-geographical-information-system_en

and a fb group

Solar & battery UK (including any other renewable energy source/storage)

 

and of course your selected installer

    B
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    Beanbag112233Author
    Rank 1
    September 6, 2022

    I have found

    https://loop.homes/loop-smart-meter-app/

    who have app and web site that ties my actual consumption and roof orientation to interactive display showing effect of solar-panels and battery storage on daily basis.

     

    Also been making detailed energy inventory on my standby load. Surprised by how bad appliences like my washing machine are. Seems to be worst for appliences over 10 years old. Just saved about 100kwh per year by turning them to off position.


    .

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

      OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd