Not every home looks like a showhome, and that’s exactly why more people are asking:
“Will solar actually work on my roof?”
Whether you live in a 200-year-old Yorkshire stone cottage or a new-build townhouse with a tiny pitch, the answer is increasingly “yes.”
Thanks to modern mounting systems, more advanced inverters, and expert installation techniques, solar panels can now be fitted to an incredibly wide range of properties, including many that homeowners previously assumed were off-limits.
Let’s explore the most common types of homes we install on, and how we make solar work beautifully, no matter the roof.
Roof Types We Work With (That Others Might Avoid)
We often hear:
“My roof’s too steep / too small / too awkward for solar.”
But we’ve installed systems on all of the following with success:
🪨 Stone Slate / Yorkshire Stone Roofs
- Traditionally seen as too brittle or uneven.
- We use specialist hooks and racking systems to lift tiles without cracking.
- No tiles broken. No mess. No compromises.
🧱 Concrete Tile Roofs
- Very common on 1950s–1980s homes.
- Typically simple to work with and great for flush-mount systems.
🧰 Interlocking Tiles / Pantiles
- Requires care with mounting due to tile curvature.
- Our team adjusts brackets to suit and ensures a watertight finish.
🪟 Dormer Bungalows & Complex Rooflines
- Tricky angles and limited space? No problem.
- We design bespoke arrays across multiple facets to maximise output.
🏙️ Modern Townhouses / Small-Pitch Roofs
- Compact homes often need clever layouts.
- We use micro-inverters or optimisers to deal with partial shading and fit more panels in tight spaces.
What If My Roof Faces North? Or is Shaded?
This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and while orientation and shading do affect generation, they don’t rule solar out.
- East/West-facing roofs can still generate up to 85–95% of a south-facing roof.
- North-facing? With batteries and smart export tariffs, it can still pay off.
- Shaded roofs? We use panel-level optimisation to bypass shaded spots and boost performance.
✅ How to Know if Your Roof is Suitable
Here’s a quick checklist:
| Question | Good Sign |
|---|---|
| Is your roof in decent condition? | ✅ Yes – no re-roofing needed |
| Is it free from heavy overhanging trees? | ✅ Yes – fewer shading losses |
| Is your roof south, east, or west facing? | ✅ Yes – ideal generation angles |
| Do you have space for at least 8–10 panels? | ✅ Yes – efficient system size |
Even if you answered “no” to some of these, don’t rule it out. An expert installer can often design a tailored solution that still works, financially and technically.
What to Expect During Installation
Worried it’ll be messy or damage your home?
We’ve got you covered:
- No tiles broken — we lift and relay with care, especially on stone/slate roofs.
- Minimal disruption — scaffolding goes up and down in a day or two.
- Clean finish — cables are hidden and systems are fully tested.
- All work guaranteed — plus full MCS certification for your warranty.
Solar Can Work For You
If you’ve been told solar won’t work because of your roof, it’s time for a second opinion.
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners – from off-grid farms to urban terraces – generate their own power, lower their bills, and take control of their energy.
And with energy prices only going one way, the cost of not going solar could be higher than you think.
Want to see if your roof’s suitable?
Just send us a photo and postcode, we can do a free remote survey for you. Or drop us a call on 01422 768113. You can also use the contact form below if you’d prefer to email us.