Summary of this article: Installing a high-performing solar panel system isn’t just about making sure you have enough panels. It’s about prioritising certain elements of your build such as the roof design and orientation, siting your home in the best position, carefully predicting future energy use and budgeting for upgrades such as a solar battery. With the necessary features in place, you can then be confident that your solar panel system will perform to the best of its ability – both now and in the future.
Set on including solar panels in your new build? You’re in the right place. Together with the solar panel experts at E.ON Next we’ve prepared a handy guide to the six features you need to prioritise when building a new home.
From everything you need to consider about your new roof, to understanding how to make your solar panels work harder and smarter, we’ve got you covered so you can be confident your system is high-performing and aligned with your self-build goals.
Plus, if you’ve any more questions at the end, you can be confident that the team at E.ON Next have them covered in their handy FAQ guide to solar panels.
1. Pay particular attention to the orientation of your roof
Everyone understands the need for solar panels to sit on the roof of your home so that they can gain maximum exposure to daylight and the sun. But, if you’re looking to get the best performance out of your panels, then it all starts with the direction your roof will be facing.
When it comes to which direction is best, south is the optimum orientation you can achieve. In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, a house with a south-facing roof will get around 10-15% more energy than one that faces east.
2. Think about where on the plot your new home will be sited
As well as considering your roof’s orientation, don’t forget to take into account what might be within the proximity of your roof when designing your new home.
Shading from trees and neighbouring properties will have an impact on the performance of your solar panels, even if you have a south-facing roof, so be sure to optimise your home’s position on the actual plot of land as well to ensure peak performance from your panels.
3. Ensure your roof design doesn’t affect your solar array installation
Making sure your architect knows that your roof needs to be designed to complement a solar array is important when undertaking a self-build.
Prioritising your roof design means taking into account the pitch as a starting point. This needs to be between 20° - 50° to allow for the best exposure to daylight, safe installation and to help the panels remain self-cleaning for years.
Avoiding other roof-mounted features can also help prevent unexpected shading, while cabling and external features will all need to be designed in such a way that they don’t have a negative impact on your solar panels.
4. Calculate energy consumption accurately to future-proof your needs
If you’re building a new home, the chances are you’re keen to future-proof your investment. When it comes to energy efficiency, this may mean you’re also considering additional features such as an EV charger or a heat pump either now, or in the future.
Either way, when projecting the energy consumption of your new home, don’t just think about how much you use now. Think ahead, and of all the potential scenarios you may need to account for. Will more people live in your home in the future? Will you want to add in additional electrification? If so, then work out your energy consumption based on the future so that your solar panel system is built to match your needs in the long-term, not just on the day you move in.
5. Allow for solar batteries in your budget
When working out how much your solar panel system will cost, don’t forget to make allowances for a solar battery when budgeting. It’s one of the best ways to ensure that the power generated from your solar panels doesn’t go to waste.
Whether it stores energy for you to use when it’s dark, or gives you excess energy to sell back to the grid under E.ON Next’s Smart Export Guarantee, a solar battery is the ultimate investment upgrade you won’t regret.
6. Take advantage of smart monitoring to track performance
As the Future Homes Standard leads us towards a world where all new homes are fitted with solar panels and heat pumps, you can ensure your home matches those of the future when you sign up to E.ON Next’s SEG tariff. Providing you with real-time readings on how your energy is being generated and consumed gives you the reassurance that your system is operating exactly as it should be.
Wondering how your solar panel system will look once it’s installed? Choose E.ON Next as your solar provider and once your solar panel quote is agreed, you’ll also receive a 3D design giving you the clarity you need.
