Solar flare-up – what to do with roof solar panel concerns

It's that time, a few days from Christmas and a brand-new year, when thoughts might turn to what might transpire in the future - what resolutions are you going to make (and, ideally, keep)? Are you going to make your decision to move home happen? Does that new job you've been considering look more appealing if you were to move nearer to it? And what are you going to do about your “green” credentials when you finally take the plunge and look for that new home?

It's very easy to lock yourself into key points of buying a different property and to forget about some of the more esoteric factors that might be important to you. And the one thing that has ceased being “fashionable” and has become far more necessary is to look at your carbon footprint and how any property choice might be affected by what's on offer.

The obvious example of this is looking at the energy rating, the details of which must be provided by the seller via the estate agent as part of the property's particulars. Ideally, you want to ensure that you are nearer an A-rating than a G-rating, but you'll also want to understand what needs to be done to bring a lower rating up should you go ahead with the purchase plans.

What is also becoming increasingly common is the sight of solar panels on the roof, a situation that can be quite divisive for prospective buyers - either they are a necessary addition in the fight to keep household bills down and help towards the fight against the climate crisis, or they are an eyesore that will lead to a rejection from those perusing its particulars.

But what about the potential issues with solar panelling and the potential remedial costs?

First of all, it's worth pointing out that you need to understand the relationship between the power generated by the solar panels, how excess electricity is transferred to the National Grid and how the payments or reduction in bills that such a luxury provides are calculated and managed, and what the relationship is between you as the homeowner and the companies involved in the provision of power to the area.

And then you need to consider what the issues might be with any existing panels and how much it will cost to rectify critical problems that might exist, as well as the maintenance plan to consider.

These could be any of the following, although it is not intended to be an exhaustive list:

• Panel deterioration - as with most materials, the solar panels will look shiny and new when first fitted but, over time, they will dull and be subject to damage from ultraviolet radiation from the same sun providing the source of the power. As such, the panels will cease to be running at optimum efficiency.

• Panel damage - extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common in the UK, with recent storms causing flood damage and high winds flinging debris around. Even birds dropping large twigs and stones can be a problem with cracking the solar panels, which will be rendered useless once rainwater gets into them.

• Roof damage - dealing with other roof issues will be more expensive when dealing with the solar panels mounted on them.

• Poor workmanship - any type of potentially lucrative building work will encourage cowboy builders looking for a fast buck, and solar panel fitment is by no means exempt from this. If you are considering installing solar panels, it is always best to do your research and find examples of the firm's other work to satisfy yourself with the quality. But, once fitted, there will potentially be further costs.

• Poor electrics - because the electrical system connected to the solar panels must be fitted safely and protected against the elements, these will need to be checked and verified that they are fit for purpose, which will take time and money. Failure to fit the electrics properly or to maintain them adequately will result in, at best, the panels ceasing to be operational or as effective as intended or, at worst, a house fire.

• Poor initial analysis - one of the key problems with fitting solar panels comes in understanding whether the roof is a fit surface for the installation. Can the roof structure handle the extra weight of the panels, the brackets and the other structures to which they are fitted? Can the materials used to cover the roof cope with the fitment of the solar panels?

Of course, it is a concern that needs to be considered, much as you would want to know about the state of the plumbing, the electric system in the house, the impact of problems within any timber supports, and whether the cracks in the walls are normal settling or indicative of subsidence.

This is where it is so important to line up a qualified chartered surveyor to check all aspects of the home you are planning on buying. A RICS Level 3 Survey is the most detailed survey you can order and, while you might worry about the cost of getting the survey done, the results will give you that extra peace of mind that you need when buying your next property.

Using the latest technology, such as drones, computers, and measurement and testing devices, your surveyor will assess the entire property including any outhouses. Each point will be given a grading in easy-to-read and -understand “traffic light” presentation:

• Green - all is well and no work has to be done in this area.
• Amber - not an immediate requirement to be rectified, but the longer it is left, the more critical it will be come. You'll need to make plans to do something in the near future.
• Red - take action now. The problem is sufficiently critical and of such concern that remedial works should be planned in now.

Where there are recommendations for action to be taken, your surveyor will also give you an assessment of the likely cost of the remedies to be taken, which will give you the information you need to discuss the asking price to help cover the cost - or even to walk away from something that might look like a money pit if you were to go ahead.

Looking for a new home is an exciting prospect, especially with the added incentive of a New Year resolution, but you should care over the decisions. 

Good luck, merry Christmas and a happy and safe 2025.

Looking at a home with solar panels and want to know that they have been installed correctly and they are effective? Concerned that the roof might not be strong enough to withstand the current weight of the solar panels? 

You'll want to get a professional assessment of any existing problems and what the remedial effort and cost will be. 

At Surveyor local, we only work with chartered surveyors who are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, ensuring the survey you get is always professionally delivered.

They will work hard to identify all kinds of problems, including the impact of prior flooding on the structure of the property.

Where a survey does reveal any issues with a property, the buyer is then armed with knowledge that can allow them either to renegotiate the price, have the seller carry out the repairs or pull out of the purchase altogether.

That's where it is really worth contacting Surveyor Local! 

Call  to get your no-obligation survey quote started, or to discuss your concerns with the acquisition of your planned property.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Surveyor Local's easy-to-use quote generator. Simply input your name, postcode, email address, phone number and an approximate value of the property (usually the agreed price), and we'll give you an instant quote for the work (with an email copy). 

We'll do the rest once you confirm your acceptance of the quote.