Here is exactly what happens on a solar panel installation in Cromer - from the first look at your roof through to the final clean-up - so you know what to expect at every stage.
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Everything starts with an inspection of the roof. We're not just checking orientation and counting metres of slope - we're looking at the condition of the covering, the flashings, the ridge, the verges and (wherever accessible) the loft timbers. Solar panels stay in place for a long time, and any existing weakness in the roof will become a problem under them.
During the survey we check for slipped, cracked or missing tiles or slates, failed pointing on ridge and hip mortar, lifting or pinholes in any lead flashings, and signs of damp in the loft. We also note the rafter spacing, because bracket positions have to land on rafters - you can't just fix into tile battens and call it done.
We assess the roof pitch and orientation. South-facing slopes produce the most electricity over the course of a year. East and west-facing slopes produce less but can still support a useful system, particularly when both slopes are used together. We also note any shading from chimney stacks, dormers, trees or neighbouring buildings, because shading directly affects how the system should be designed and which inverter type is appropriate.
By the end of the survey, we know whether the roof is ready to accept panels, whether preparation work is needed first, and how many panels will realistically fit in a position where they'll produce well.
If the survey identifies repairs that need to be made before panels go on, we carry them out as a separate phase of work. This might mean replacing a run of slipped slates, re-bedding ridge tiles, renewing a flashing around a chimney or dormer, or cutting back heavy moss growth and treating the surface. The panel installation follows once the roof is in the condition it needs to be.
We're specific about this because a common problem in the industry is installers who carry out a cursory visual check, miss underlying issues, and fix brackets into a roof that isn't ready for them. When the roof then leaks two winters later, removing a full panel array to carry out repairs that should have been done at the start is a costly and avoidable situation.
On a roof that's already in good condition, preparation may simply involve clearing the working area, confirming rafter positions and checking that the chosen bracket spacing aligns correctly with what's underneath. In that case, preparation and installation happen on the same visit.
Safe working at roof level requires proper access. Scaffolding is erected before any roof work begins. The time it takes to erect and dismantle scaffolding depends on the size and layout of the property, so ask for an estimate before the work starts. The scaffold is designed to give safe access to the relevant roof slope or slopes, and materials are loaded from it rather than hauled up ladders.
The scaffolding cost is usually included in the installation quote, but it's worth confirming this when comparing prices. On some properties - narrow plots, or houses with restricted access on one side - scaffolding requires more planning, and this can affect the overall cost.
The mounting system is the aluminium rail framework that the panels clip into. Before the rails go on, the brackets that hold them to the roof structure are fitted. Each bracket position is marked out carefully, a tile or slate is lifted, the bracket is bolted through to the rafter below, and a purpose-made flashing kit is fitted around the bracket to seal the penetration against the weather. The tile or slate then goes back in place.
The flashing kit must be matched to the specific tile profile. A flashing designed for a concrete interlocking tile will not sit correctly under a natural slate or a plain clay tile. Using the wrong kit is a common shortcut that compromises the weathertightness of every bracket point. We use kits matched to the roof covering on each job.
Once the brackets are fixed, the horizontal aluminium rails are attached to them. The rails are levelled across the slope - a panel array that isn't level looks poor and can create drainage problems if water pools behind panels during rain. The rail ends are capped and any cuts are sealed against moisture ingress.
The panels are lifted from the scaffold and clipped into the rail system using end and mid clamps. The clamps are torqued to the specification for the rail system being used - overtightening can crack panel frames; undertightening allows movement in wind. Each panel is connected to the next using weatherproof DC connectors. The panel-to-panel wiring is routed behind or along the rails and secured so it can't move or chafe against the roof surface.
The time needed for the roof element of the work depends on the number of panels and the layout of the roof. A larger installation or one involving two separate roof slopes may take longer. The scaffold stays up until the roof-level work is signed off.
The DC cables from the roof run into the building, usually through the loft or via an external route to the inverter location. The inverter is typically mounted in the loft or in a utility space - it needs to be accessible and reasonably ventilated. The cable entry point is sealed both inside and outside to prevent draughts and moisture ingress. Cable runs inside the building are clipped or contained to keep the installation tidy and to meet wiring requirements.
If battery storage is being installed, the battery unit is also sited at this stage. Batteries are typically floor-standing and go in the same area as the inverter or in an adjacent space. They're heavier than they look, so the position is agreed with you in advance.
The inverter converts the DC electricity from the panels into the AC electricity the house uses. The electrical connection between the inverter and the consumer unit (fuse board) is carried out by a qualified electrician. This part of the work requires notification to your local distribution network operator (DNO) before the system is commissioned - this is a standard process and is handled as part of the installation.
The system is configured and tested before anyone signs off. This includes checking that each panel is producing, that the inverter is communicating with any monitoring system, and that the export connection is working. You'll be shown how to read the monitoring display or app so you can see what the system is doing in real time.
Before the scaffold comes down, we do a final inspection of the roof from the platform. Every bracket flashing is checked, panel alignment is confirmed, and any tile or slate that was lifted to fit a bracket is checked to be sitting correctly. Any off-cuts, packaging and debris from the roof are cleared at this point.
Once the scaffold is down, the working area around the property is cleared. Any vegetation or surface that was protected under the scaffold boards is checked and left as found.
A domestic solar installation of 10 to 12 panels currently costs in the range of £5,000 to £9,000 installed, including scaffolding, the mounting system, panels and inverter. Battery storage adds roughly £2,500 to £5,000 depending on capacity. If roof repairs are needed beforehand, these are quoted separately and carried out before the panel installation begins.
Electricity your panels produce that the house isn't using at that moment is exported to the grid. Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), your energy supplier pays you a rate per kilowatt-hour for that export. If you have a battery, surplus charges the battery first and is only exported once the battery is full. Using more of your own generation - by running appliances during the day - reduces the amount you export and buy back, which is where the financial benefit is greatest.
If you're considering solar panels for your Cromer home, the first step is a roof survey to confirm the condition of the covering and assess what the installation would involve. Call Aylsham Roofers to arrange a survey and we'll give you a clear account of what's needed, what it will cost and what to expect on the day.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
