Think Your Roof Isn’t Right for Solar? Think Again.

Most UK roofs would never win a “perfect for solar” competition. Dormers everywhere. Chimneys in the wrong place. Odd angles. A north-facing kitchen. Sometimes it feels like the architect actively hated solar.

And do you know what? That’s normal.
It’s also exactly where The Green Way Solar thrives.

Lots of installers won’t touch these properties because they don’t want the challenge. We do. This is where good design, strong engineering, and a bit of TGWS initiative turn a “no chance” roof into a brilliant solar system.

This blog shows homeowners how solar works even when the roof looks like a jigsaw puzzle.

The Most Common “Awkward Roofs” We See Across the UK

We see these every week. They’re not weird, they’re British.

How We Make “Impossible” Roofs Work

Here’s where the magic (and engineering) happens.

Aesthetics Matter, And We Treat Your Home Like Our Own

Solar shouldn’t ruin the look of your home. It should complement it.

We design with:

• all-black panels
• neat cable routes
• clean symmetry where possible
• in-roof options for premium installs

If a homeowner wants “barely visible solar”, we can nearly always achieve it, especially with Viridian in-roof or careful multi-roof layout planning.

This is TGWS territory. We care about the look as much as the performance.

Real Examples, When Others Said “No”, We Said “Let’s Look”

A dormer-heavy Milton Keynes roof

• Two installers said it wasn’t possible.
• We fitted a split East/West system across three roof sections.
• Client now generates ~75% of their annual electricity from solar.

A flat-roof extension in Bedfordshire

• Homeowner assumed flat roofs were a deal-breaker.
• We used a ballasted 10° frame, zero roof penetrations.
• Performance is superb, and the roof is untouched.

A north-facing cottage with limited space

• We paired panels on the rear south-west section with a battery.
• Not huge generation, but huge bill savings thanks to battery optimisation.

What You Need for a Proper Awkward-Roof Assessment

Here’s what we ask for before we design anything:

• Photos of the roof (Google Street View helps too)
• Your address
• A recent electricity bill
• Any shading concerns you know of
• If you have building plans/loft conversion details, even better

A specialist designer then maps the roof, models the sunlight, checks shading, and produces a bespoke design.

This is where TGWS shines, we do the technical bit properly.

My Roof is Awkward. Should I Still Consider Solar?

Short answer: yes.
Long answer: very likely yes.

Here’s why awkward roofs often work brilliantly:

• Solar doesn’t need “perfect south”.
• Modern panels are far more efficient.
• Batteries turn even small arrays into big bill savings.
• Shade is manageable with the right tech.
• Multi-roof systems are normal for us, not scary.

If your home uses electricity (and it does), solar will help.

Don’t Rule Yourself Out, Let Us Look First

Most UK homes are “awkward”.
Most installers prefer “easy”.

We aren’t most installers.

If someone told you your roof won’t work, or if you’re worried it’s too complex, too small, too shaded, or too wonky, give us a shout.
We’ll design something tailored, elegant, and built to last.

Take control of your energy. Even the awkward roofs can win.