As more UK homeowners look for ways to reduce energy bills and their carbon footprint, the question is no longer if you should install solar panels – but how? This guide from Wright Renewables explains the most searched-for questions about putting solar panels on roof setups, including flat roofs, tiled roofs, and how many panels you can realistically fit.
We’re based in Worksop and proudly install solar systems across South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire. Whether you’re just researching or ready for a quote, here’s everything you need to know.
Absolutely. One of the most common myths is that you need a traditional pitched roof to benefit from solar. In fact, solar panels on flat roof installations can be just as effective and sometimes even more flexible.
On a flat roof, panels are usually mounted using brackets at the ideal angle (typically 30-40°) to catch the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year. This setup allows precise orientation and avoids shading issues, making it ideal for homes, schools, or commercial properties.
Lee Rolfe, our Managing Director, says:
“Flat roofs actually give us more control to optimise panel placement. It’s all about making the most of your space – and future-proofing it at the same time.”
This is easily one of the top questions we get at Wright Renewables, and rightly so – it’s critical for calculating your system’s output. The answer isn’t just about your roof’s square footage; UK planning regulations also play a part in how and where solar panels (especially for a domestic solar system) can be placed. The good news is that most home solar panel installations fall under permitted development – meaning you typically don’t need planning permission as long as a few simple rules are met
For a typical house in Worksop or South Yorkshire, these rules won’t significantly limit how many panels you can fit – your available roof area and shape are usually the main factors.
There’s no hard “X panels per roof” cap. For example, a 4 kW domestic solar PV system might need around 10–12 panels (about 20 m^2 of roof space). As long as that fits on your roof without panels overhanging or breaching the above guidelines, you’re good to go. Our experienced solar installers in Worksop will also consider things like chimney shadowing and spacing for mounting rails. We typically leave a small border around the roofline (even if not legally required) to ensure panels aren’t flush with the very edge – this is both for aesthetics and structural safety. (In fact, the MCS installation guidelines recommend keeping about a 300–400 mm gap to the roof ridge to reduce wind load on the panels
“Filling your roof with panels is great, but it has to be done right,” says Lee Rolfe, Managing Director at Wright Renewables.
“We design every solar panel installation to maximise your roof’s potential while playing by the rules. There’s nothing worse than having to move panels because they were too close to an edge or above the roofline – so we make sure you get the most energy without any compliance headaches.”
For non-domestic solar panel installations, planning rules are a bit stricter. Permitted development on commercial buildings requires at least a 1 m gap between the panels and the roof edges on all sides .
This means if you’re fitting solar on, say, a warehouse or school, you need to leave a one-metre border clear around the roof perimeter. This rule is sensible for larger systems, it helps with wind uplift and gives workers a safe access margin during installation. However, it can slightly reduce the total number of panels that fit on smaller roofs. If a commercial project needs every inch of space, we’d advise discussing options with the local planning authority (sometimes they can be flexible in practice).
The key takeaway is that homeowners don’t have to worry about the 1m edge rule, but business and industrial installations do.
The number of solar PV panels you can install on your roof comes down to your usable roof area and staying within these planning parameters. In most cases across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, you’ll be able to cover a large portion of your roof with panels – just not beyond the roof’s boundaries or in a way that upsets the neighbours (or the council!). Wright Renewables operates across Worksop, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, bringing a professional, friendly touch to every project. We’ll help you get the maximum energy from your roof while ensuring full compliance with UK planning rules. With our knowledgeable team by your side, you can look forward to a domestic solar system that’s both high-performing and hassle-free.
Installing solar panels on roof isn’t a DIY job. It requires electrical and structural expertise to ensure the system is safe, legal, and eligible for any available incentives.
At Wright Renewables, we follow strict MCS certification standards and only use trusted engineers – no sub-contractors. As an approved partner of OVO Solar & Heating, we bring big-brand reliability with local service.
We handle everything:
Solar panels are designed to be low maintenance, but it’s still wise to clean them periodically, especially if you live near trees, heavy traffic, or coastal areas. Dust, leaves, and bird droppings can reduce efficiency.
Searching for how to clean solar panels on roof? The best option is to hire a specialist or use a long-reach cleaning tool with deionised water. Never walk on your panels or use abrasive materials.
At Wright Renewables, we offer an annual maintenance service to keep your system in peak condition.
Here’s a quick rundown based on our local installation experience:
We regularly install solar panels on tile roof setups throughout Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Every property is unique, so let’s assess what’s best for yours.
Wright Renewables is based in Worksop and covers a wide area including Retford, Mansfield, Sheffield, Lincoln, and Doncaster. If you’ve searched for:
…you’re in the right place.
We pride ourselves on being reassuringly expensive – not because we’re overpriced, but because we focus on long-term value, safety, and reliability.
Whether you’re exploring how many solar panels will fit on my roof or want help choosing between solar panels on a flat roof or pitched roof, we’re here to help.
👉 Book your free survey now
📍 Proudly serving Worksop, South Yorkshire, and the East Midlands
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form
.webp)
