loft conversion with solar

6 years ago

We live in a three bed 1930s semi where the back roof faces almost due south. We've always wanted to install solar PV and/or solar thermal to take advantage of this. But we're now considering converting the loft as we both work from home and need more office/bedroom space. The house has a hipped roof, so we'd need to do a hip to gable conversion at the side to make room for the stairs. Do we just go for velux windows at the back, allowing space for panels in-between, but compromising the size of the bedroom? Ideally we want the loft room to fit a king sized bed and en suite (and one of us is 6ft 4). Or is there a way of combining a dormer with panels? Maybe a shed dormer where panels could be fitted on the slope, or a flat roof dormer that is far enough below the ridge line to allow angled panels on top. Or do we give up on the idea of solar?

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Comments (3)

titiankim
Original Author
6 years ago
Forgot to say, the height of the loft is about 3.6 metres from joists to ridge, so hopefully plenty of head height.
obo1
2 years ago
Hi there. What did you end up doing? We have a similar dilemma.
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titiankim
Original Author
2 years ago
obo1 we built a garden office! When we had an architect draw plans we discovered we'd need to move the main bathroom wall about 6 inches to get a full sized staircase in, which would've meant completely refitting it. I couldn't face the expense and mess of that on top of the loft conversion.

We're still thinking about solar. We have the original roof with no felt, so we're wondering whether to redo the roof with in roof panels. Then the unused tiles could be used to patch the rest

loft conversion with solar

Comments (3)

titiankim
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obo1

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loft conversion with solar

Comments (3)

titiankimOriginal Author

obo1

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titiankimOriginal Author

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titiankim
Original Author

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Original Author