Roof repair solar panels

johnweir123

I've been offered free solar panels hundreds of times now and always been a bit resistant to it as I'm wondering about the state of my roof being that I have such an old house (150 years old). 

When they fit free panels do they make sure the roof is good when they've finished or do they just slap them on, dust their hands and walk away leaving any leaks or broken tiles that were there before they started?  

Or do they ask you to do your own roof repairs before getting the panels fitted? 

Anyone have any experience of this? 

happyretiree

Be warned - if you take up the offer of free solar panels check the contract. I was told by an estate agent that it may mean the company ‘rents’ your roof in which case mortgage companies don’t like lending which could cause problems if you want to sell. 

Qyburn

It would be your responsibility to check that the roof is sound and suitable. You might get some information from the installers, showing in principle how they'd mount to your particularly type of roof (slate, tile etc).

johnweir123

Qyburn said:

It would be your responsibility to check that the roof is sound and suitable. You might get some information from the installers, showing in principle how they'd mount to your particularly type of roof (slate, tile etc).

Ah, so they would come to do a suitability check and look at my roof and tell me what I already know.  Then it would be up to me to make the roof suitable before they come back. 

Qyburn

Installers are going to vary in their approach. Some will quote blind maybe just based on broad questions. But if there's any doubt about the strength or condition then the onus would be on you to satisfy yourself.

johnweir123

Qyburn said:

Installers are going to vary in their approach. Some will quote blind maybe just based on broad questions. But if there's any doubt about the strength or condition then the onus would be on you to satisfy yourself.

I was asking really on the basis that fitting the panels would involve making sure the roof could take it.  They'd have to remove tiles to anchor the panels to the rafters and I had visions of the tile removal and rehanging process including water tightness work as naturally they would have to repair the area around where the panels attach.  I just think in doing this work they would probably improve the original roof because taking tiles off and putting them back is going to make it better and who would face the costs for that? 

matelodave

In the end it would be up to your contract with the panel installer depending on what he quotes and who gets apportioned the responsibility. You need to check the T&C's to ensure that you are satifsied before signing

Ectophile

They should check that the roof timbers are strong enough to handle the extra weight.  But the state of your tiles isn't their problem.

QrizB

johnweir123 said:

I've been offered free solar panels hundreds of times now

Rent-a-roof schemes mostly died when the FIT scheme was closed in 2019. Are you being offered them as part of an energy poverty relief scheme, like ECO4?

When they fit free panels do they make sure the roof is good when they've finished or do they just slap them on, dust their hands and walk away leaving any leaks or broken tiles that were there before they started? 

They should send over a surveyor, and they should do loading calculations to show whether your roof structure is strong enough.

And they should make good any damage they cause during the installation (ideally they won't cause any damage).

Complaints about poor installations are fairly rare, which suggests that most installers do an adequate job.

Petriix

happyretiree said:

Be warned - if you take up the offer of free solar panels check the contract. I was told by an estate agent that it may mean the company ‘rents’ your roof in which case mortgage companies don’t like lending which could cause problems if you want to sell. 

This isn't a thing anymore. Rent-a-roof was rife when the feed in tariff was very generous but, since that ceased in 2019, there's no reason for anyone to do this. All current free schemes are based on an installation grant where the property owner gains full ownership of the panels et al. 

johnweir123

QrizB said:

johnweir123 said:

I've been offered free solar panels hundreds of times now

Rent-a-roof schemes mostly died when the FIT scheme was closed in 2019. Are you being offered them as part of an energy poverty relief scheme, like ECO4?

When they fit free panels do they make sure the roof is good when they've finished or do they just slap them on, dust their hands and walk away leaving any leaks or broken tiles that were there before they started? 

They should send over a surveyor, and they should do loading calculations to show whether your roof structure is strong enough.

And they should make good any damage they cause during the installation (ideally they won't cause any damage).

Complaints about poor installations are fairly rare, which suggests that most installers do an adequate job.

yes, got a letter (one of probably 100 we've received) which says it is ECO4