This guidance about shared rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installation was written by Ricardo.
The Scottish Government has an ambitious goal to reach net zero emissions by 2045. To support this goal, more than 0.6 GW of solar power has been installed in Scotland, even though it’s farther north and gets less sunlight. There are plans to add more solar power in the future. A large portion of this solar energy comes from rooftop solar panels, showing there is interest in these projects due to lower costs, targeted support, and clear benefits for domestic users.
Installing solar panels on shared roofs poses some additional challenges compared to buildings with one owner. It can require more complex surveys, the potential need to secure a grid connection agreements, and finding a way to fairly share the energy produced. This guidance is for community groups and homeowners who want to install solar panels on shared roofs. The guidance aims to provide a detailed overview of the steps required to deliver these projects from planning to installation.
As you will see in this guide, the process of developing this type of project is not straightforward, but the information here will help you to understand how to figure out if it is the right thing for your group. For background on solar panels, we recommend Energy Saving Trust’s solar panel page.