When most people think of solar panels, they picture arrays neatly fitted on a roof or sprawling across a field. However, there’s another equally innovative option that’s been gaining traction – wall mounted solar panels. At Spirit Energy, we’ve successfully installed several wall mounted systems, including a recent project in Buckinghamshire where 18 panels were strategically split between south and west facing walls.
Covered in this blog:
- How wall mounted panels work
- Performance compared to conventional pitched roof systems
- Planning considerations
- Costs
- When they might be the right choice for your home
What Are Wall Mounted Solar Panels?
Wall mounted solar panels offer an alternative for properties where roof orientation or available roof space isn’t ideal for solar installations. Instead of fixing panels on a pitched roof, they are mounted directly onto a vertical surface, often utilising parts of the building’s brickwork. This solution can be particularly beneficial if your roof is north facing, but you have a south or west facing wall that can capture the sun’s rays.
Installation and Mounting Wall Mounted Solar Panels
The mounting system for wall mounted solar panels is surprisingly straightforward – and in some respects, simpler than a traditional roof mount. The installation involves three main components:
- Railings: Horizontal rails are affixed directly to the wall using robust multi-monti screws.
- Screws: These secure the railings firmly into the building’s structure.
- Clamps: The panels are attached to the rails with the same clamps used for roof installations.
This method means that panels can be installed quickly, matching the pace of a conventional system on a concrete tile roof. The simplicity of the mounting system also contributes to potentially lower installation times and costs, provided the wall structure is readily accessible.
Performance: Wall Mounted vs. Roof Mounted Solar Panels
One of the key questions is how much energy wall mounted panels generate compared to their roof mounted counterparts. Here’s a snapshot of typical performance figures:
- Roof Mounted System (38° pitch, south facing):
Approximately 985 kWh per kWp over the year. - Wall Mounted System (90° pitch, perfectly south facing):
Approximately 695 kWh per kWp over the year – about 29-30% less than the pitched roof system.
For systems facing east or west, a pitched roof can yield around 775 kWh per kWp, meaning a wall mounted south facing system is only 10-12% less effective in that scenario. However, the performance drop becomes more pronounced for east-facing wall installations – a wall mounted east facing panel may produce around 37% less than an equivalent roof system pitched at 38°.
As an example, in our Buckinghamshire project the wall mounted panels (with six panels on the wall) were estimated to generate around 599 kWh per kWp, compared to 881 kWh per kWp from six roof mounted panels – roughly 32% lower. Despite this, when a property has limited options, a south facing wall can often be the second-best choice after a south facing roof.
Planning Permission and Regulatory Considerations
Many property owners worry that wall mounted solar installations might require extra planning permissions. In most cases, however, wall mounted panels fall under permitted development – similar to roof installations – as long as they meet certain criteria:
- Protrusion: Panels must not extend more than 200mm from the surface.
- Height: They must not exceed the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys).
- Visual Impact: While guidelines suggest preserving the building’s appearance and local character, this rarely poses an issue.
For properties in conservation areas, or if your building is listed, you should check with your local planning authority to ensure compliance with specific regulations.
Cost of Wall Mounted Solar Panels
For a straightforward installation – for instance, mounting panels directly onto a brick wall – the cost is often comparable to that of a roof mounted system. However, if your installation requires additional scaffolding or complex assembly, costs may increase. At Spirit Energy, we tailor each project to ensure the most cost-effective solution while maintaining high standards of performance and durability.
Should You Get Consider Wall Mounted Panels
Wall mounted solar panels can be particularly advantageous in situations such as:
- Suboptimal Roof Orientation: When your roof faces north, a south or west facing wall can capture more sunlight.
- Limited Roof Space: If your roof space is insufficient for the desired number of panels, walls can provide an alternative location.
- Aesthetic or Structural Constraints: Some properties might benefit from preserving roof integrity or have architectural considerations that favour wall installations.
While an A-frame mounting system might offer a better pitch, planning restrictions (such as the 200mm rule) and potential shading issues between multiple rows of panels often make a direct wall mount the more practical option.
Conclusion
Wall mounted solar panels provide a versatile and efficient alternative to traditional roof installations. They open up opportunities for properties with challenging roof orientations or limited space, ensuring that more homeowners can benefit from solar energy. While there is a modest drop in performance compared to a perfectly pitched roof system, the benefits – including ease of installation and flexible design – make wall mounted systems an attractive option.
If you’re curious about how wall mounted solar panels could work for your property, or if you’d like a bespoke design and quotation, please do get in touch with us at Spirit Energy. We serve customers within a two-hour radius of Reading and are always happy to provide expert advice and detailed project assessments.
