Good decision. It looks stunning. 

Edited October 31, 2025Oct 31 by Kelvin

What about thin film flexible panels, they come self adhesive backed. Would (select the correct size) fit  between the seams. You can get them about 5m long - downside is price.

 

3 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

 downside is price.

 

And lower generation per m2 and somewhat unknown/poor reputation for longevity.

7 hours ago, SimonD said:

And now I'm rapidly concluding that we should go in a different direction with this.

I think you have done well exploring this. Yes you can design this SE wise, maybe achieve a weather tight arrangement. But now I've read others opinions I'm inclined to say, I've learnt a bit more and now also concur that you should look at alternatives. 

 

Keep us posted though!

On 31/10/2025 at 12:19, SimonD said:

 

Thank you! Yes, I've just been tied up with a manic work week and your earlier post also sent me down a rabit hole to dig out and digest the original structural scheme, which I realised had been completed by 2 structural engineers. The 1st was regarding the whole house design, in particular the steel frame and founds, but also the wind uplift on the connection between the masonry ground floor and the upper floor timder frame. They then passed on the structural design to the glulam beam manufactureres who also completed there own uplift and load calculations for the beams spanning approx 7m on the longest side.

 

I know the first onces erred on the side of caution, but know quite know the other - I will have to look through their report too.

 

However, as I digest all this, I'm erring towards the alternatives suggest because....

 

That is a good looking roof!  It really would be a shame to spoil it with solar panels.

 

I think looking at alternative locations, even redesigning any outbuildings yet to be built or building a bespoke structure will yield very satisfactory solar performance and much easier instillation and maintenance,

 

For reference my 24 panel setup structure was 3-4k in materials excluding any ground works (there was an already existing foundation - but the set up could have used a much simpler foundation eg a simple slab or even large concrete pads) and took me about 100 hours to build on my own (would have been less than 40 hours if there were two of us as I spent a lot of time having to temp fix because there was only one of me and god knows how much time going up and down to fetch items that could have been passed up!)

 

The panels and battery were under 12k fully fitted and wired up.

 

Good luck!

On 02/11/2025 at 18:34, Beelbeebub said:

That is a good looking roof!  It really would be a shame to spoil it with solar panels.

 

I think looking at alternative locations, even redesigning any outbuildings yet to be built or building a bespoke structure will yield very satisfactory solar performance and much easier instillation and maintenance,

 

For reference my 24 panel setup structure was 3-4k in materials excluding any ground works (there was an already existing foundation - but the set up could have used a much simpler foundation eg a simple slab or even large concrete pads) and took me about 100 hours to build on my own (would have been less than 40 hours if there were two of us as I spent a lot of time having to temp fix because there was only one of me and god knows how much time going up and down to fetch items that could have been passed up!)

 

The panels and battery were under 12k fully fitted and wired up.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks! And thanks for sharing your experience. I'm going to have a good think about what we can use instead and see where we go with it!

On 31/10/2025 at 12:36, JohnMo said:

What about thin film flexible panels, they come self adhesive backed. Would (select the correct size) fit  between the seams. You can get them about 5m long - downside is price.

 

 

I spoke to my solar people about this and they're not keen - apparently they don't like the potential heat build upon the system with the metal roof. Unfortunately I can't comment as I just haven't had the time to do the research myself and form a view on it!