I have an EV and would love to use solar panels but my roof orientation at the front of my house doesn\u2019t allow me to put up standard panels to benefit from morning sunshine while<\/b> the back of the house does. What can I do in this instance? I\u2019ve been told it\u2019s not worth putting one or two panels at the front. Is there alternative options like solar tiles?<\/b> – Brendan S, Co Galway<\/p>\n
This is a question probably best put to an expert in solar panel<\/a> installation, but we\u2019ll try our best to help.<\/p>\n In a simplistic sense, if one side of your roof isn\u2019t facing quite the right way, then one of the other sides should be, but of course that really is simplistic and it doesn\u2019t take into account the shape and size of each section of roof, or the potential for shade from nearby trees or other buildings. <\/p>\n Having lived in Galway<\/a> for five years myself, I\u2019m tempted to say that getting mould on the panels might be more of a problem, but my tongue is very much in my cheek there, and actually even in grey and wet Ireland, we still get plenty of solar-useful light, although obviously that tails off in the winter months. <\/p>\n You could potentially go for a ground-mounted solar array, and in theory as long as you don\u2019t exceed 25-metres square then you don\u2019t need to apply for planning permission. However, I\u2019d be very careful about doing my homework on how visible a set of ground-mounted panels might be, and if any glare and reflection from the panels might affect neighbouring buildings. <\/p>\n Solar roof tiles are most definitely an option, but an expensive one. They can cost as much as twice the price of conventional solar panels for an equivalent power output, so you could be looking at spending as much as \u20ac20,000, or maybe even more, and you\u2019d have the added hassle of having to actually remove and replace roof tiles rather than just adding on solar panels. Still, it\u2019s an option. <\/p>\n