When you’re planning to go solar, the first thing most people do is look at their roof. In our case… we might be getting rid of it entirely.

You see, Hedera’s got dreams. Dreams of an upstairs. Maybe a mezzanine. A place to retreat with a cup of tea, a book, or a spaniel. But dreams like that often mean one thing: planning permission and a whole new roof.

So, while we’re up there — literally and metaphorically — we’re asking: what sort of solar setup makes the most sense if we’re starting from scratch?

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The Options (Now with More Chaos)

1. Mounted Solar Panels (a.k.a. the classic bolt-on)

Still the cheapest and simplest option — even if we do end up rebuilding the roof. We’d just make sure the new roof is solar-ready: decent pitch, strong structure, no awkward chimneys or vents in the way.

✅ Cost-effective

✅ Easy to maintain and upgrade

✅ Can go up quickly after the new roof’s done

❌ Looks a bit… obvious

❌ More vulnerable to wind if not carefully installed (North York Moors, we see you)

Best for: Keeping things simple and spending the saved cash on underfloor heating, or possibly therapy.

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2. Integrated Solar Panels

If we’re re-roofing, this becomes a lot more appealing. Take out whole sections of roof covering and slot solar panels into the new structure. Sleek. Clever. Very “I live in a sustainable Pinterest board.”

✅ Blends in better, no big rails or brackets

✅ Can help with insulation and waterproofing if detailed properly

✅ Perfect excuse to tell people you’ve got a “smart roof”

❌ Pricier

❌ Trickier to swap or upgrade individual panels

❌ Needs very careful planning if you don’t want leaks or regrets

Best for: A new roof with built-in smugness. Great if you’re already rebuilding and want a streamlined look.

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3. Solar Shingles (for when you want to impress the neighbours or get on Grand Designs)

Solar disguised as slate? Yes please. Especially handy if the planners raise eyebrows about “modern interventions” on traditional buildings — even though Hedera’s more pine than period.

✅ Beautiful and subtle

✅ Doubles as both roof and energy system

✅ Ideal for full new-build roofs where you want to do it all at once

❌ Very expensive

❌ Not as efficient per m²

❌ Supply in the UK can be a bit… niche

Best for: Folk with more budget than patience. Lovely, but likely out of scope unless the solar fairy drops a grant through the letterbox.

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So What’s the Hedera Plan?

Well… if we get planning permission, and if we go up into the roof, and if the budget doesn’t flee the country — we’ll be designing a whole new roof from scratch. And that means we can optimise everything:

• Correct pitch for solar gain (30–35° for our latitude)
• Structurally sound rafters that can hold weight and wind
• Pre-planned routes for wiring, battery placement and inverter gubbins

Most likely outcome?

Integrated panels, built into a simple pitched metal or slate-effect roof, tied neatly into the new structure.

Possibly with a Velux or two thrown in for the mezzanine stargazing.

Spaniel-approved, human-endorsed, sun-chasing and smug as you like.

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We’ll let you know what the planners say. Until then, we’ll be pricing solar tiles, crying gently, and sketching dream layouts where the upstairs window looks out onto a field of sheep and doesn’t leak in a northerly.