CPREZSolar ZDesign

SOLAR DESIGN TIPS
your 10-point guide
Helping you use solar design

that fits with your building
and local environment
‘Rooftop solar panels offer homeowners
the chance to reduce their environmental
impact and save on their energy bills. But
homeowners must take care to place solar
panels in a way that minimises visual
impact and retains the character of their
homes. Unless proper thought is given to
their design and placement, there is the
risk that solar panels can have a negative
impact on the appearance of homes.’
Edward Bagnall,
partner of estate agents
Tayler and Fletcher
SOLAR DESIGN
Deciding to use solar panels or tiles in your home is a great
step, but the wide choice of systems can be daunting.
To help you make up your mind, we’ve put together some
quick pointers on working out what is best for you. The better
the system fits with the building, the better it fits with its
surroundings, keeping both you and your neighbours happy.
Whichever stage you are at, here are our 10 principles to think
about when it comes to choosing a product, working out how
to position it and considering the wider environmental setting.
Solar PV (photovoltaics) can be installed through

two approaches:
• Building Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) which are

installed to the building after its construction.
• Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) which

refers to approaches that integrate solar PV
into the building and its components.
PRODUCT
1. Colour and contrast
Colour wise: the colour and finish of solar panels and how
they reflect light should be chosen to fit in with the building or
surroundings. The majority of crystalline and thin film panels
are dark blue or black; within these shades are a variety of
finishes and tones to help make the panels unobtrusive.
2. Framing
To frame or not to frame: panels without frames, or black-

framed panels, should be used where framed panels would
detract from the building. Untreated or natural finished metal
panel frames can look out of place and draw unnecessary
attention to the panels. Many manufacturers sell panels with
frames that are painted or anodised to blend in better with
the building.
3. Size
Size it up: think about the size of all the parts of the system.
It helps to match it with other building components, such as
windows or building/roof stones – this can help your system
to look more like an integral part of the roof, and fit in with the
building and its surroundings.
APPLICATION
4. Symmetry in panel layout
Super symmetry: the way in which panels are laid out in relation
to one another can make a huge difference to the appearance of
the system – symmetrical installations tend to work much better.
If feasible, it’s worth moving roof ‘furniture’, such as aerials and
flues, to enable a symmetrical solar installation to be put in
place.
5. Coverage
Edge to edge: think about how the installation relates to the

shape of the roof or building. If it’s possible, covering the whole
roof is often the way to go. If the roof is not symmetrical, don’t
visually overload the roof – if you can’t achieve a clean edge,
then install fewer panels.
6. Complementing features
Get in style: consider the style of the building and, if possible,

position the solar PV panels so they are in proportion to the
building and its features. For example, they can resemble roofing
elements such as roof lights or windows. Whether they are
portrait or landscape can also make an impact. And if you are
building a house from scratch, it’s worth looking into BIPV and
integrating the solar energy system into the design of the house.
7. Mounting system
Sitting pretty: solar PV applied to the roof will need a mounting

system to hold the panels in place. The advantage of ‘in-roof’
systems over ‘on-roof’ systems is that the mounting system
is not visible. If you’re using an on-roof system, pay particular
attention to minimising the distance between the roof and the
panel mounting system and cutting back protruding rails.
SETTING & WIDER CONTEXT
8. Roof positioning
Low visibility: for non-domestic buildings or houses with

inverted pitch roofs, sometimes called London roofs or butterfly
roofs, solar PV can be installed in the valley of a roof, or on roofs
that are not visible from the ground or other buildings. In such
situations where the panels are hard to see from the ground, less
attention needs to be given to principles related to the product or
application of the system.
9. Neighbouring solar roofs
Neighbourly love: solar PV on adjacent houses of the same type

may look odd or out of place if the approaches are very different.
For example, if neighbours use different sizes and colours of
panels or position them differently in relation to the roofs, it
can have a significant impact. So start by taking a look at your
neighbours’ panels and see if you can find a similar style to fit
with theirs.
The inevitable: of course, as more people install solar panels,
some cumulative impact will occur. As technology develops it will
be challenging, if not impossible, to create uniformity between
newer installations and older systems on neighbouring homes.
10. Planning designations
The landscapes around you: small-scale solar installations do

not normally require planning permission. For some buildings
there may be special requirements if they are listed or located
in a National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World
Heritage Site or conservation area. If in doubt, contact your
local planning authority.
Photo credits:
Front Page. Viridian Solar 6. Viridian Solar

1. Romag 7. BRE
2. Energy My Way 8. Spectrum Energy
3. Solar Century 9a. Forster Group
4a. Viridian Solar 9b. BRE
4b. Chris Roberts 10. Solar Century
5. Viridian Solar
This guide was put together by Campaign to Protect
Rural England with financial support from CPRE
Gloucestershire. It is based on the report Ensuring
Place-Responsive Design for Solar Photovoltaics on
Buildings produced for us by BRE National Solar Centre.
The report is available at www.cpre.org.uk, which also
has more information about CPRE’s work to protect our
landscapes and tackle climate change.
Endorsed by
CPRE National Office

5-11 Lavington Street
London SE1 0NZ
tel: 020 7981 2800

info@cpre.org.uk
www.cpre.org.uk
tweet: @cpre
CPRE is registered as a charity (No. 1089685)

and company (No. 4302973) in England.

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SOLAR DESIGN TIPS

your 10-point guide

Helping you use solar design

Solar PV (photovoltaics) can be installed through

• Building Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) which are

• Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) which

To frame or not to frame: panels without frames, or black-

Edge to edge: think about how the installation relates to the

Get in style: consider the style of the building and, if possible,

Sitting pretty: solar PV applied to the roof will need a mounting

Low visibility: for non-domestic buildings or houses with

Neighbourly love: solar PV on adjacent houses of the same type

The landscapes around you: small-scale solar installations do

Front Page. Viridian Solar 6. Viridian Solar

CPRE National Office

tel: 020 7981 2800

CPRE is registered as a charity (No. 1089685)

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