Your rooftop solar questions, answered

Yes. East and west-facing roofs make a little less than a south-facing one over the year, but they spread it across the morning or the evening, which suits plenty of households. Some homes use both slopes.

Usually, yes. Most terraces have a main back or front slope, and many have an outrigger roof too. Scaffold access through a ginnel or back entry is the main thing the installer will look at.

It can be done. Stone slates are heavy and need careful lifting and refitting, so it's a slower job. Some Saddleworth villages are conservation areas, so check with Oldham Council too.

Rooftop panels on a block of flats are a decision for the freeholder or management company, not one flat. If that's you, have a look at the plug-in option instead.

On most houses in England, rooftop panels count as permitted development, so you don't need to apply. Listed buildings, conservation areas and flats can have extra rules. The Planning Portal explains the current rules, and your council can confirm.

It depends on how many panels fit, the scaffold and whether you add a battery. We don't publish prices we haven't seen. Our cost guide shows what moves the price and how to compare quotes.

You pay the installer directly, on the terms in their written quote. We never take payment for an installation.

Yes, for homeowners. You pay the installer directly for any work you agree to.

If you use a lot of electricity in the evening, a battery can make a real difference. Ask for prices with and without one. Our battery page explains more.

Yes. It can charge on a cheaper overnight rate and power the house at dearer times. Choose "A battery on its own, no panels" on the quote request.

Only an installer you've agreed to by name. Until you agree, nothing is shared. Who sees your request sets it all out.

We'll come back to you as soon as we have the right installer for your area.

Yes, at any time. Tell us through the contact form and we'll stop, and ask any installer you've agreed to to stop too.