Problems with solar panels on roofs: risks, damage what surveyors check

Solar panels are becoming an increasingly common feature on roofs across England and Wales. For buyers, they can represent a genuine benefit in terms of lower energy bills and a better energy rating, but they also come with questions worth asking before you commit.

Before exchanging contracts on a home with solar panels installed, it is worth understanding a few things beyond the obvious appeal of reduced energy costs.

You will want to know how the solar system works, how excess electricity is transferred to the National Grid and what the financial arrangement is between the homeowner and the energy provider. It is also worth understanding how solar panels can affect what buyers are prepared to pay, what maintenance obligations come with the installation, and what any remedial work is likely to cost.

One further consideration is insurance as not all home insurance policies automatically cover solar panel installation, so it is worth checking cover is in place before you proceed.

A qualified chartered surveyor can assess all of this as part of a full building inspection.

Solar panels installed on roofs can bring a range of issues that are worth identifying before you buy. Here are the most common ones a surveyor will look for:

Deterioration over time: solar panels degrade with age and prolonged exposure. Older panels may no longer perform at optimum efficiency, which affects the financial return from the installation.

Physical damage: extreme weather, high winds and flying debris can crack solar panels. Once rainwater gets into a cracked panel it becomes a problem as the panel is effectively useless and will need replacing.

Roof damage beneath the panels: any roof repairs are more complicated and more expensive when solar panels are mounted on top. One of the key things a surveyor will check is whether the roof beneath the installation is in sound condition and whether any faults in the roofing materials have been masked by the panels above.

Poor workmanship: solar panel installation attracts less scrupulous builders. Panels not correctly installed can cause ongoing structural or waterproofing issues across flat roofs sand pitched roofs alike.

Electrical faults: the electrical system and inverter connected to the panels must be safely installed and properly maintained. Poorly fitted electrics can reduce solar performance or, in serious cases, create a fire risk.

Roof structure suitability: not every roof is structurally suitable for solar panels. A surveyor will check whether the roof can handle the additional weight of the panels, brackets and fixings, and whether the roofing materials are compatible with the installation on that type of roof.

A RICS Level 3 Survey is the most thorough option and the right choice when buying a property with solar panels or any other non-standard feature. Using tools including drones and specialist measurement devices, the surveyor will inspect the entire building and produce a report using a traffic light grading system:

• green means no action is required
• amber means the issue is not urgent but should be addressed in due course
• red means remedial action is needed now

Where action is recommended, the report will include an assessment of likely costs, giving you the information you need to renegotiate the asking price or decide whether to proceed.

Surveyor Local works with RICS chartered surveyors across England and Wales. If you are buying a property with solar panels and want an independent assessment of their condition and the roof beneath them, our survey services cover exactly that. Get a no-obligation quote online or call our friendly team on .