As the demand for clean and renewable energy sources increases, homeowners are exploring new ways to harness the power of the sun.
Installing solar panels in your garden is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money on energy bills, and contribute to a sustainable future.
In this blog we’ll explore garden solar panels and how they can be an addition or alternative to roof solar panels.
Can I put solar panels in my garden?
There are a few factors to consider before purchasing your garden solar panels.
The most important one to consider is planning permission. In most cases, installing solar panels in a domestic environment does not require planning permission. However, if you live in a listed building or a conservation area, it is highly advised to seek permission from your local council before installation.
Likewise, if you are a tenant in a rental property, you will also need to seek permission from your landlord first!
Another important consideration is garden space and how much you are willing to sacrifice for your solar panels. Solar panels must be positioned a certain distance away from boundaries, to ensure they do not cause a nuisance to neighbours or infringe on their boundary.
From a green-fingers perspective, depending on the solar panels positioning they could also shade over plants, so you may need to relocate your most important plants!
Are garden solar panels bigger than roof solar panels?
Not necessarily, the size of solar panels can vary, regardless of whether they are installed on a roof or in a garden.
If you are looking to generate a lot of electricity, you will need larger panels with a high solar panel wattage. And if you’re a keen gardener with not much more than an average sized garden, you may want to opt for a smaller sized solar panel to not encroach on your gardening space!
If your homes roof is not suitable for solar panels, for example it’s covered by shading for most of the day, installing garden solar panels could be a viable alternative to generating solar energy.
Sizes of solar panels will depend on how much electricity you require
How should my garden solar panels be positioned?
Getting the most out of the British sunshine can be challenging, so the positioning of the garden solar panels is important. Garden solar panels should be positioned and oriented to optimize the amount of sunlight they receive.
Ideally, garden solar panels should be orientated towards the south and angled at approximately 30 to 40 degrees to optimize energy production.
This will ensure that the panels receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day, especially during the summer months when the sun is at its highest.
It’s also worth noting that shading from nearby buildings or trees can impact the optimal orientation and angle, so it’s recommended to consult a solar professional who will carry out a site assessment to determine the best setup for your garden.
Conclusion
Installing garden solar panels can bring numerous benefits to a homeowner such as reducing energy costs and if paired with a solar battery, you can use the stored energy for when you need it most, such as in a power cut. They are also an option for when your home or building’s roof is not suitable for solar panels. But you will also want to ensure you’re happy with the amount of garden space you sacrifice when installing garden solar panels!
