It’s the modern way to go green. We all want to be kind to the planet and we all want to save a few pennies along the way. Fuel costs and interest rates are on the rise, meaning lot of us have more to pay but less money to pay it with. Solar panels are an attractive option; they’re environmentally friendly, they can save you money and there are even grants available for their installation. So while we’d all love to deck our house out in these lovely plates of waste and cost repellent armour, there are a few things to consider first. Sadly, not all houses are suitable for solar panel installation.

There are all sorts of extra regulations applying to houses in conservation areas or World Heritage Sites. In many cases, solar panel installation will be considered a “permitted development”, meaning you won’t need planning permission but will have to meet a few extra requirements;

1) As far as is possible, the panels should be sited so as to minimise their aesthetic intrusion. That is, try to make them as inconspicuous as possible.

2) They shouldn’t affect the amenity of the area too drastically, i.e. the solar panels shouldn’t spoil the things that make the conservation area so attractive in the first place.

3) If your solar panels are no longer in use, they should be removed as soon as possible. So, if you sell the property and the new owner does not intend to continue using the solar panels, they should be taken down.

4) They should not be installed above the ridgeline of the roof. Neither should they project more than 200mm from the roof.

5) Listed buildings will still require the usual consent for any work being done that changes the appearance of the building (just as if you were installing a satellite dish, for example).

Even if you house isn't listed or in a protected area, they are still a number of regulations to which you must adhere.

Obviously, the roof of your house has to be physically able to carry the panels. If your roof is in a poor state of repair, then it may not be strong enough to carry the weight, or may not offer a sufficiently secure anchor for the panels. Panels fitted to poor roofs can break the roof or even fall off. The strength of your roof will need to be checked and proven before you have solar panels installed. If it is not found to be up to scratch, then some strengthening or repair work may be necessary.

Roofs will a northern aspect with a northern aspect are not suitable for the installation of solar panels because they do not get enough light. Neither are those which are completely in the shade.

One also has to consider all the standard requirements necessary of anyone having major electrical work done on their house. It’s advisable to get qualified solar panel installers in to check your house meets all of the essential requirements.

As long as your house meets all of these points then solar panel installers should be able to help you. The secret to green energy and lower fuel bills might be right above your head.