How to design a solar-ready home: key decisions to make early in your project

Summary of this article: Making decisions early on in the design process will ensure your solar panel system is designed to suit your home. Considering elements such as your roof design, pitch and orientation, your potential energy consumption, the times when you will use electricity the most and any other electrification elements planned are all ways you can ensure your new home is solar-ready.

Undertaking a major self-build or home renovation is an exciting time for any homeowner, not least of all for the opportunity it presents to create a future-proof home that is both energy efficient and low carbon in design.

When included early on in the design process, renewable energy such as solar panels from E.ON Next will all contribute to these end goals. But, what do you need to consider to ensure you get the best out of your project?

From understanding the angle of your roof pitch through to the importance of orientation, we talk you through the key elements you’ll need to consider. Get them right and you can be confident that your solar panels will perform to their full potential.

1. Think about your projected energy consumption

When preparing your bespoke quote, E.ON Next will need to understand just how much energy your household is likely to require on a daily basis. This will help determine how many solar panels you’ll need to install on your roof, and therefore the potential size your roof will need to be.

They’ll also take into consideration what time of the day you are most likely to use the energy in order to ascertain if a solar battery will be needed. If you’re new to the different components of a solar panel system, a solar battery stores any power your solar panels generate during the day that you don’t use. This allows you to draw on the excess at night, once daylight has gone. It’s the perfect solution for homeowners who find themselves out all day at work or school.

If you do need one, this will also need to be factored into your overall architectural plans, so it’s best done at the start of the process when you can carefully decide where it’s best located.

2. Consider the planned orientation of your home

Although solar panels don’t need blazing sunlight to work, homes that are built where the roof will be in a south-, east- or west-facing direction will achieve the best solar gains.

In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, houses that use more electricity in the morning might even benefit from panels on an east-facing roof, allowing them to use energy as it is created. Houses that have their key roof elevation facing north, however, will generate less solar power and may not give you as much energy independence you are looking for in your new home.

Understanding this factor can help you to work with your architect to decide where to position your home on your plot in order to get the maximum daylight.

The same accounts for your home’s proximity to any large trees, woodland or neighbouring properties. The less shading there is to your roof and solar panels, the better your panels will perform.

3. Make sure your roof design complements solar panels

Designing a roof with solar panels in mind from the start will bring a number of benefits. As well as making sure your roof will be big enough to provide the number of solar panels you need – something the experts at E.ON Next will calculate as part of the quote process – you will also need to make sure the pitch of your roof is between 20° to 50°, so that the panels can be installed safely, and will remain self-cleaning for years.

Considering solar panels in your roof design from the start will also allow you to limit the use of any other roof-mounted features that may shade or prohibit the panels, and likewise allow opportunity for cabling and any external fixtures to be fitted around your solar panel array.

4. Decide on any other planned electrification upgrades

If energy independence is your goal, you may also be considering other electrification measures when building a new home. From the installation of a heat pump or EV charger – something E.ON Next can also help with – your solar panel system can be designed in such a way that your home will be fully future-proofed.

Plus, as well as these details being helpful when creating your bespoke system, they can also help the experts at E.ON Next advise you on the best energy tariff to suit your needs. It’s a win-win all round as the harder your solar panels work for you, the more energy efficient your home can become, and the lower your energy bills will be.

5. Make sure you include solar panels in your budget

Although the excellent payment options from E.ON Next include the option to pay nothing upfront, and spread the cost of your solar panels over three years with 0% interest, it’s important to include provision for solar panels, and potentially a solar battery, in your cost calculations. That way you can look forward to the potential bill savings and income from SEG of up to £1,146 per year* from the moment you move in.

And finally, don’t forget to work with your architect and E.ON Next to work out when it’s best to fit your solar panels. While the installation process will generally take a maximum of two days, this can vary depending on the size of your system, your home’s location and the roof design. Making sure you’ve accounted for this in your build schedule can help prevent unnecessary delays or costs.

The good news is that the years of experience held by the E.ON Next team means they will be able to help you every step of the way, leaving you with the confidence that your solar panels and new home will work together in perfect harmony.