Can you really get solar on older homes? It’s one of the most common concerns we hear from homeowners:
“I live in an old house — won’t solar damage the roof?”
Or:
“My roof’s made of slate/Yorkshire stone/clay tiles. Is solar even possible?”
The short answer? Yes — absolutely.
The long answer? Let’s walk through the myths, facts, and proven techniques that make solar power not just possible, but practical and profitable for older homes.
Myth #1: “My Roof’s Too Fragile for Solar Panels”
Older roofs often use traditional or handmade materials — like slate, clay tiles, or Yorkshire stone — which leads many people to believe solar is off the table.
But with the right installer and the right approach, your heritage roof can be protected, and solar can be safely fitted with zero damage.
At Novus Energy, we use specialist mounting systems and techniques tailored for older properties, including:
- Non-invasive mounting kits designed for fragile or uneven tiles
- Roof-integrated or elevated systems to minimise contact
- Tile-friendly brackets that work with stone, slate, or even uneven surfaces
- No-drill, no-leak guarantees — we ensure your roof stays watertight and intact
No Mess, No Fuss, Just Clean Energy
Installing solar on a newer home is usually straightforward. But what sets our work apart is how we handle complex or historic roofs.
We recently completed a solar installation at Lower Shaw Booth Farm in Wainstalls, a traditional Yorkshire stone farmhouse with challenging angles and delicate tiles. The outcome?
- 8kW system
- 20 panels
- Zero tiles broken
- £51,068 in lifetime energy bill savings
- Fully intact, beautiful roof — just now with a solar superpower
Your home doesn’t need to be modern to go solar. It just needs an installer who understands how to work with the roof, not against it.
Myth #2: “Older Homes Aren’t Compatible with Modern Tech”
A lot of people believe that if their home predates central heating or double glazing, it won’t cope with cutting-edge tech like solar panels and battery storage.
Here’s the truth:
Solar isn’t about how old your house is — it’s about how much sunlight your roof gets.
We’ve retrofitted solar to:
- Period cottages
- Converted barns
- Listed buildings (subject to planning permission)
- Steep-pitched stone roofs
- Timber-framed properties
With modern inverters and smart battery systems, even off-grid or hard-to-wire homes can benefit from solar. We assess each property individually and create a tailored plan — not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Real Benefits for Older Homes
If your property is off the gas grid or has higher-than-average energy usage, the cost-saving potential of solar is even greater. Here’s what homeowners gain when they retrofit solar:
- Lower electricity bills (by up to 70%)
- Greater energy independence
- Protection from rising energy costs
- Improved EPC rating, making your home more sellable in the future
- Peace of mind with long warranties and reliable tech
What About Planning Permission?
In most cases, you don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on a domestic property — even if it’s old. However, if your home is listed or in a conservation area, we can guide you through the planning process.
We’ll handle everything from structural assessments to local authority applications, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
How We Make It Easy
At Novus Energy, we specialise in making solar simple — even for the most “difficult” homes. Here’s how:
- Free site survey and technical assessment
- Tailored panel layout for older or awkward roofs
- Installers trained to work with fragile materials
- No scaffolding dumped in your flower beds
- Respectful, mess-free installs in just 1–2 days
And most importantly — no tiles broken.
Don’t Let Your Roof Stop You
If you’ve been told your home “isn’t suitable” for solar — or if you’ve assumed that because it’s old, solar is too risky — it’s time to get a second opinion.
Because the reality is:
🏡 Your older home can go solar
🌞 Your roof can generate clean, free energy
💷 You can start saving money — with zero damage and zero mess
📞 Ready to See What Solar Could Do for Your Home?
Let us show you how we can retrofit solar to your older home — beautifully and efficiently.