Page 369 - A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems

376 A COmPrEhEnSIVE GuIdE TO SOLAr EnErGy SySTEmS

FIGURE 19.3 Solar panels on a house on the northern coast of Scotland, with the Atlantic Ocean visible to the right.
Photo: B. Dower (all rights reserved).

facing roof slopes) to be given consent. Similarly, solar panels on buildings in conserva-
tion areas are unlikely to be consented if they are visible from main streets or key vistas
through the settlement.
As solar installations on buildings are permitted development (with the exceptions set
out above), there is little control over how solar panels are placed, which can lead to widely
varied results in terms of visual composition. Solar panels are least intrusive if they clearly
relate to the geometry of the roof. As solar panels are standardized as rectangular panels,
they tend to be most satisfactory on rectangular roofs. The placing of rectangular panels
can be difficult for roofs interrupted by dormer windows and can greatly reduce the visual
clarity and appearance of the building (Fig. 19.4).
Wind lift is an issue for building mounted panels. To avoid panels being damaged in
high winds, they should be fixed close to the surface and set down below the roof ridge
and with clearance from the edges of the roof [3]. The method of fixing can further limit
the design of the installation, the placement, and type of fixings on a slate or tiled roof
must relate to both the surface material and the positions of rafters below. These aspects
can limit the scale of the installation and affect the arrangement of panels in relation to
the geometry of the roof.
modern farm or industrial buildings are generally well suited to taking solar panels, as
they are usually of simple rectangular form, often of a gentler pitch than domestic build-
ings and can be large in extent. Farmers seeking to diversify can make good use of shed
roof space with solar panels, without disruption to the workings of the farm (Fig. 19.5).