The solar panel revolution has quickly taken over the seemingly most unlikely place – the UK – and it looks like it’s here to stay. In the past, solar panel installations were seen by many in the UK as an investment that wasn’t worthwhile, and this is understandable considering that many assumed that solar panels would only work in places with a lot of sunlight year-round. But this misconception has already been disproven, and today’s UK homeowners are increasingly turning to solar panel systems for their electricity needs. But whilst you can always go for an on-roof solar panel system, which is the traditional type of system for solar panels, the integrated solar panel system is making waves as well. But what is it, and what are its benefits? Here are the best facts about integrated solar panels you should know today.
A quick description of integrated or in-roof solar panels
An integrated solar panel system is also known as an in-roof solar system, and it is the same in many respects as standard solar panel systems installed on the roof on top of slates or tiles. But the integrated solar panel system is not placed on top of a property’s roof – instead, it becomes your very own solar panel roof because it replaces a portion of the roofing system of your property with no need for any slates or tiles beneath. The design of integrated solar panels is such that they are robust enough to replace your normal or standard roof slates or tiles, but they can also generate energy.
The advantages
There is indeed an array of advantages that come with integrated or in-roof systems, as outlined below:
- Better aesthetics. Since in-roof panel systems are designed to replace a portion or section of your roofing, they can fit in more seamlessly with your roof as the panels are flush with your other roof slates or tiles. On-roof panels are different – they are often unsightly and sit awkwardly on top of the roof slates, resulting in a bulkier appearance.
- A lightweight system. Integrated panel systems are more lightweight compared to standard systems. If you try to install a typical solar panel installation on top of the tiles or slates of your roof, this will add more weight to your roof structure, which can result in various issues after a certain period. But if you opt for an integrated system, you don’t need any mounting frame, making the system more lightweight. A portion or part of the tiles or slates of your roof will be removed by the installer, and they will then replace it with more lightweight integrated panels.
- Adherence to planning regulations. This is another fact and advantage that not many homeowners may be aware of – if you opt for a standard solar panel installation, you may have to request planning permission. But if you go with the integrated or in-roof solar panel system, the panels will remain flat on top of the roof. If you have the same colour scheme for your system as the rest of the remaining roof, you are more likely to adhere to planning permission, particularly if you have a listed building or a protected area. What’s more, since the panels don’t add more weight to the structure, they may be a more optimum choice if you have an older piece of property with more delicate elements and architectural components.
Image attributed to Pixabay.com
