Can rooftop solar help decarbonise our electricity supply?

If the costs of solar power continue to decrease, rooftop panels could be one of the best tools yet to decarbonise our electricity supply. India and China are the cheapest places to install rooftop solar, while the US, Japan and the UK are the most expensive.

Can rooftop solar panels meet our energy needs?

We have published research by the UCL Energy Institute into the true potential for meeting our energy needs if we made full use of the rooftop space available for solar panels across the country.

What is a rooftop solar system?

Rooftop solar systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, are solar power generation systems installed on rooftops of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings to harness solar energy for electricity generation.

Will my roof generate solar energy?

Realistically, your roof’s solar generation potential will be less than that. It’ll likely still exceed your typical household energy needs, but real-world constraints like roof space, sunlight exposure, and equipment specifications play a huge role in your panels’ actual generation.

How much power does rooftop solar generate a year?

Analysis of local authority data showed that rural constituencies have enough domestic solar panels to generate 12.5 megawatts (MW) energy every year – as opposed to 4.5 MW in urban areas. However, both figures are far too low, and it’s clear that the transformative power of rooftop solar continues to be overlooked.

Should solar panels be installed on a south-facing roof?

Ideally, your solar panels will be installed on a south-facing roof at an angle of about 30°. These are the optimal conditions for solar panel production. The closer you get to this, the more electricity your panels produce. Solar panels with a larger power-to-size ratio will produce more electricity per square foot.