Solar Panels York 

Yes, you can have in-roof solar panels on a slate roof, but there are important installation requirements to ensure performance, durability, and proper weatherproofing—especially when using systems like the Marley SolarTile®.

Counter Battening for In-Roof Solar Systems

At GNR Roofing, we always recommend counter battening when installing in-roof solar systems on slate roofs. Here’s why:

1. Ventilation Space
   In-roof systems like the Marley SolarTile® are integrated into the roofline, replacing sections of slate. Without adequate ventilation, heat can build up beneath the panels, reducing efficiency and potentially shortening their lifespan. Counter battens create a ventilated air gap between the roofing membrane and the battens/slates, promoting airflow and temperature regulation.

2. Correct Function of Flashing Kits
   The Marley SolarTile® flashing kits are specifically designed to interface with a counter battened roof. Counter battens ensure the tiles sit at the proper height and angle for the flashing kits to form an effective weatherproof seal around the solar array. Without counter battens, the flashings may not align correctly with the slate tiles, compromising water resistance.

3. Structural Support and Consistency
   Slate roofs require precise fixing of tiles. Counter battens provide a level and continuous fixing surface, essential for integrating solar tiles without uneven gaps or misalignment.

Summary

So yes, you can install in-roof solar panels like the Marley SolarTile® on a slate roof, but counter battening is essential. It ensures proper ventilation, allows the flashing kits to function as designed, and maintains the integrity of the slate roof.

Yes, they can be made to work with a zinc roof covering, However, this is a specialist undertaking and can require some complex and customised detailing.

Feeding power back to the grid from solar panels—known as exporting surplus energy—is a key benefit of domestic solar systems in the UK. This process allows homeowners to earn money or receive bill credits for unused electricity generated by their panels.

How It Works

When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home consumes, the excess energy is automatically sent back to the national grid—provided your system is configured correctly. This typically involves:

• A compatible inverter and generation meter
• A smart meter capable of recording export data
• A registered energy supplier offering an export tariff

Current Energy Payment Scheme (2025)

As of 2025, the primary export payment scheme in the UK is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Under SEG:

• Licensed energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers are required to offer an export tariff
• Tariffs must pay you for every unit (kWh) of electricity you export to the grid
• Rates vary by supplier—commonly between 4p to 15p per kWh, depending on the contract

SEG replaces the now-closed Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, but unlike FiT, it does not include generation payments—only export.

Installation Requirements

To qualify for SEG payments, your solar installation must meet certain conditions:

1. MCS Certification
   Your system must be installed by an MCS-accredited installer using certified equipment.
2. Smart Meter Installation
   A smart meter that can track exported electricity in half-hourly increments is required.
3. Export Tariff Registration
   You must apply directly to your energy supplier for their SEG tariff and provide the necessary system documentation.

Summary

Feeding energy back to the grid is not only environmentally beneficial but can also reduce energy bills or provide a small income. To take full advantage of the Smart Export Guarantee, ensure your system meets MCS standards, includes a compatible smart meter, and is registered with an eligible energy supplier.

Using Solar PV to Heat Water: A Smarter Way to Store Solar Energy

As households increasingly turn to solar PV systems to reduce electricity bills and carbon footprints, a critical question emerges: what’s the most effective way to store excess solar energy? While battery storage is a well-known option, an often-overlooked yet highly practical alternative is using solar-generated electricity to heat domestic hot water.

This method of energy storage—typically through an immersion heater controlled by a smart diverter—may actually offer the most cost-effective and sustainable way to maximise your solar investment.

How It Works

Instead of exporting all unused electricity back to the grid or storing it in an expensive battery, a solar diverter (such as an Eddi or iBoost) redirects surplus solar energy to power your immersion heater. This heats your hot water cylinder during the day using entirely free, renewable electricity.

This approach has several advantages:

• Low upfront cost compared to battery systems
• No degradation over time (unlike batteries)
• Reduces demand on your gas or electric boiler, lowering utility costs
• Quick return on investment, particularly in homes with regular hot water usage

Why It Might Be Better Than Batteries

Batteries offer great flexibility, but they come at a high cost and limited lifespan. Heating water, on the other hand, is a natural daily energy use for most households. Redirecting surplus solar to your water cylinder essentially turns your home into its own thermal battery, providing:

• Immediate use of excess generation
• No complex electronics or maintenance
• Indirect savings on gas bills if you currently use a combi or system boiler

For many households, especially those with larger families or high hot water demand, this solution maximises solar efficiency while avoiding the need for costly infrastructure.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): A Dual Benefit

By combining water heating with the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can benefit both ways:

• Use excess power to reduce your hot water energy costs
• Export remaining surplus and earn a payment from your energy supplier

During sunny summer months, when heating demand is low and solar output is high, you can heat your water for freeand still have enough left to earn from the SEG scheme. This hybrid approach offers a flexible and financially balanced solar energy strategy.

Conclusion

For many homeowners, using solar PV to heat water represents a smart, sustainable alternative to battery storage. It reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowers bills, and makes excellent use of energy that would otherwise be exported—or lost. When paired with the SEG scheme, it offers a compelling two-pronged approach to maximising both your energy independence and financial returns.

Solar PV Panels as an Option for Lead Roofs: A Heritage-Sensitive Approach

Installing solar PV panels on lead roof coverings—particularly in heritage or listed buildings—has traditionally been challenging due to the structural and conservation sensitivities involved. However, new innovations have made it increasingly viable to integrate solar power into these contexts without compromising the integrity or appearance of the building.

One such innovation is the Nicholson Fixing Foot, which provides a secure and weatherproof way to mount solar PV systems on lead roofs.

The Nicholson Fixing Foot: Designed for Lead Integration

The Nicholson Fixing Foot is specifically engineered to be lead-welded directly into a traditional lead roof. This creates a permanent, robust mounting point for solar PV panels while maintaining the building’s watertight envelope. Key benefits include:

• Compatibility with heritage roofing techniques
• Discreet profile, helping minimise visual impact
• Lead welding ensures longevity and durability
• Allows installation without penetrating the substrate, preserving roof structure

This makes it an ideal solution for sensitive heritage sites, historic buildings, or ecclesiastical properties.

York Minster: A High-Profile Example

A landmark example of this system in action is the York Minster solar project. As one of the most historically significant buildings in the UK, any intervention had to respect strict heritage and conservation standards.

In 2023, York Minster became one of the first cathedrals in the country to install solar PV on a lead roof using the Nicholson Foot system. The discreet mounting points were lead-welded into the existing roof coverings, providing a solid foundation for an array that will generate clean electricity while remaining virtually invisible from ground level.

GNR Roofing: Industry Commentary

GNR Roofing—as specialists in complex roofing and solar integration—were consulted during the early stages of the York Minster proposal. The team provided insight on:

• Compatibility of solar systems with heritage roofing
• The practicalities of lead welding on historic roofs
• Long-term maintenance considerations

GNR praised the approach as a thoughtful balance between conservation and innovation, and supported the broader application of the Nicholson Fixing Foot for similar heritage-sensitive installations across the UK.

Conclusion

For buildings with lead roofs—especially listed or historically significant properties—solar PV is now a feasible and sensitive option. The Nicholson Fixing Foot allows systems to be safely and securely mounted without compromising the integrity of the roof, offering a discreet and durable solution. Projects like York Minster demonstrate how traditional materials and modern sustainability can work hand in hand.