Wall Mounted Solar Panels

Can You Install Wall Mounted Solar Panels in the UK?

Most people think of solar panels as needing to go on a roof or in a field, but did you know that they can also be installed on a wall? Spirit Energy has installed a lot of wall mounted solar panel systems, and they come with many benefits, such as:

Maximising area covered by solar panels

Increased winter solar generation

Easy to install & very cost-effective

Cut electricity bills

Reduce carbon footprint and help EPC

Become more grid independent

How Much Do Wall Mounted Solar Panels Generate?

Wall mounted solar panels generate more electricity than you might think. Solar panels pitched at 90 degrees on a south facing wall are estimated to generate ~29.5% less than equivalent panels pitched at 38 degrees on a south facing roof. Panels on an east or west facing wall are estimated to generate around 37% less than panels mounted at the optimal pitch on an east or west facing roof.

Wall mounted solar panels make more sense than solar panels on a north facing roof. In fact, solar panels mounted on a wall facing directly south should generate more throughout the year than a roof space facing north-west or north-east. It certainly makes sense to install solar panels on walls in the UK.

Do Wall Mounted Solar Panels Make Sense?

Wall mounted solar panels certainly make sense to install in the UK. Installing solar panels on a wall can often be a lot cheaper than installing on a roof as you don't need as much scaffolding (if any). The mounting system is also easier to install.

Solar panels mounted on a wall also perform well throughout the year and will perform more consistently, with less of a performance decline in the winter months compared to a roof mounted system as the sun is lower in the sky - which is an advantage to wall mounted panels.

There are many advantages to installing solar panels on the wall, including:

Very cost-effective - wall mounted solar panels are very cheap to install and you can save money on the scaffolding, structural surveys, and long cable runs that you will likely need with a roof mounted installation.
Ideal for space-limited properties – mounting solar panels on the wall enables you to make the most of available space and maximise the size of your solar system.
Easier maintenance – Solar panels that are mounted on walls are more accessible for cleaning and inspection.
Increase winter generation – Wall mounted solar panels can generate more than roof mounted panels in the winter months as they are better placed to capture low-angle sunlight when the sun is lower in the sky. If there is any snow, it won't be able to settle on the panels meaning that you won't lose out on generation when there is a snowfall.
Less risk of debris and snow accumulation – Solar panels mounted on the wall tend to get less dirty and are far easier to clean than panels mounted on the roof. They also don't get covered in snow.
Help to protect the wall - installing solar panels on the wall can help to protect the wall itself, as well as enable you to generate electricity and save money on electricity bills. The panels are very cheap and can be easily replaced should any get damaged.

Wall mounted solar panels are also very cost-effective and cheap to install. They typically cost less than the equivalent roof mounted system would cost as the scaffolding costs are usually significantly lower.

There aren't many disadvantages to wall mounted panels, however, here are the main things to consider:

Lower energy generation – The pitch of the panels is not optimal, and wall mounted panels will typically generate 29% less than the equivalent south facing system mounted on a roof.
Aesthetic concerns – Solar panel wall mounts can be visually intrusive depending on placement.
Potential shading issues – As the solar panels on the wall are mounted lower that roof mounted panels, they are at more risk of shading from nearby buildings and trees.
Potential damage issues - wall mounted panels are more susceptible to damage, however, the panels are very cheap to replace so this is not something to worry about.

Wall mounted solar panels are certainly worth exploring if you have a south, east, or west facing wall that is available with little shading. Do request a quotation from Spirit Energy or give us a call and we'll be happy to provide free design work and a free quotation.

Vishal Giga
Operations Director

Joined Spirit in 2010

Vishal joined Spirit Energy a few months after Erica and Ian founded the business in 2010 as a project manager, and is now our Operations Director. All of our project managers and installers are in-house, and Vishal oversees them all and is in charge of making sure that every project goes smoothly and is installed on time. Vish has a wealth of experience with both commercial and residential projects, and directly manages every commercial project that we do, including our installations at Philip Dennis Foodservice in April 2024, and Hansgrohe's headquarters in September 2024.

Justin Parsons
Head of Installations

Joined Spirit in 2010

Justin is the backbone of the company and part of the leadership team. He has overall responsibility for the installers, electrical design and sign off of all systems as well doing a technical and structural survey for every project to ensure we can manage each job perfectly. His devotion and meticulous attention to detail has helped build Spirit into the reputable and trustworthy brand we are today.

You will most likely meet Justin on your technical & structural survey where he will plan your entire installation and run you through every minute detail.

Wall Mounted Solar Panels
Installed by Spirit Energy
Award Winning Solar & Battery Installer Since 2010

Better Performance in Winter Months

Maximise the Building's Solar Generation

Highly Cost-Effective to Install

Can You Install Wall Mounted Solar Panels in the UK?

Better Winter Generation With Wall Mounted Solar Panels