Have you been thinking about ways to reduce your energy consumption as well as your Carbon Footprint. With energy bills seeming to climb every year, any way to reduce them would be a greatly welcomed. Solar panels can be fitted to most Garden Rooms, as long as a few conditions are met. In this article we will discuss some of the benefits, and what you need to consider before installing solar panels onto your new Garden Room.
Solar Panels work best in direct sunlight, maximising this is essential for efficient energy production. The minimum amount of sunlight needed is at least 4 hours a day, this will help to significantly reduce your energy bills. The angle of the panels is also important, as this will allow them to capture the maximum amount of sunlight.
The short answer is yes! This would require the system to be connected to the grid, so if you were looking to make your Garden Room off grid, it may not be for you. If you were looking to go down this route however, the benefits could be substantial, saving you hundreds on your energy bills. An example of this is this project Garden Room with Solar Panels. This art studio/ garden office sits at 4.2m x 3m and utilises 4 solar panels angled towards the sun. Our client has been able to power most of their day-to-day energy usage using the solar panels on their Garden Room, which has reduced their energy bills significantly.
The angle of the solar panels does affect the efficiency of them. Most Garden Rooms we build at Miniature Manors are flat roofs, which means the angle wouldn’t be as steep as on a pitched roof, but this doesn’t mean a flat roof isn’t suited to solar panels.
The direction your Garden Room is facing will also affect the efficiency of your solar panels. Ideally you would want them south facing to allow for the most direct sunlight year-round. The size of your Garden Room could also affect how many solar panels you can have on your roof. This Garden Granny Annex has a whopping footprint of 8.7m x 4.4m, leaving plenty of room for solar panels.
There are two main types of solar panels used in residential projects. Monocrystalline Solar Panels are more efficient and slightly longer lasting, but this comes with a higher price tag. Polycrystalline Solar Panels are not quite as efficient; however, they are more affordable. Differentiating these two types can usually be done by the look of the panel. An all black panel with rounded edges is a Monocrystalline panel. If the panel has a blueish look, with more square angles then it is a Polycrystalline panel, as they are made by melting silicone which is a cheaper way of making a panel. Making the choice on what type of solar panel to use can come down to the specific project. The output of both panels is roughly the same, however the efficiency and longevity of the panel is effected by the type.
Lowers your mains grid energy consumption: This is beneficial in two ways, one it will lower your monthly bills, and two it will lower your carbon footprint, as you’ll be using less energy created by power stations.
Increases the value of your property: whilst the initial cost of solar panels may be slightly higher than a traditional electrical connection, the savings made on energy bills will mean they eventually pay for themselves. The value of your property will also increase as the desire for green energy increases.
Every planning authority has different rules. We offer a planning permission service, which involves researching and submitting planning permission if it is needed for your Garden Room. Once we have started the design of your project we will have a better understanding of the requirements for your Garden Room. There is also a helpful guide on the Planning Portal.
If this article has piqued your interest in the benefits of Garden Room solar panels, don’t hesitate to get in contact below. Our helpful design team can guide you through everything you need to know regarding solar panels and your project. To start the process, get in touch via our Project Planner or Contact us here.
