At a glance
| Type | Usual mounting | Main survey questions |
|---|---|---|
| Flat roofs | Ballasted or mechanically fixed frames, often east-west | Membrane condition and warranty, roof loading, drainage, wind uplift |
| Metal roofs | Clamps or rails fixed to the profile or seams | Sheet age and fixings, fragile rooflights, purlin capacity |
| Pitched roofs | On-roof rails with hooks, or in-roof systems | Rafter condition, tiles or slates, orientation, heritage constraints |
| Asbestos roofs | Usually overclad or replaced first | Asbestos survey, fragility, safe working, remaining life |
| Ground-mounted | Piled or ballasted frames on open land | Planning, ground conditions, cable route to the grid point, security |
| Solar carports | Steel canopies over parking bays | Foundations, drainage, vehicle impact, EV charging integration |
Many sites combine more than one. A farm might use a modern portal frame barn roof and a small ground mount; a business park might pair roofs with a solar carport. The survey looks at each area and uses the best ones first.
Before any panels go on, the roof survey and, where needed, a structural survey confirm the building can take them for their full life.
In this section
Flat roofsHow membrane type, ballasted or fixed mounting, east-west layouts, parapets, drainage and roof loading decide whether a flat roof suits solar.
Metal roofsTrapezoidal, standing seam and composite panel roofs: how mounting, rooflights, fixings and sheet age affect a solar installation.- Pitched roofsTile and slate roofs on older commercial and agricultural buildings: in-roof or on-roof mounting, rafters, orientation and heritage limits.
- Asbestos roofsAsbestos cement roof sheets: the legal duties, survey types, fragility, and the overcladding or replacement routes to a safe solar installation.
Ground-mounted solarGround-mounted solar on business or farm land: planning, land choice, cable runs, grid connection, security and biodiversity.
Solar carportsSolar car park canopies: permitted development in England, foundations and drainage, structural design, EV charging and how costs compare with rooftop solar.
Related pages
- Roof surveyHow a solar roof survey assesses covering type, condition and remaining life, fragility and safe access, shading, orientation, drainage and existing warranties.
- Structural surveyWhat a structural assessment for rooftop solar checks: dead loads, wind uplift and snow, purlins and rafters, ballast, and when an engineer's report is needed.
SectorsSector by sector: demand patterns, building issues and finance questions.- Commercial solar costIllustrative prices per kWp by system size, extra costs, running costs, VAT and tax.