The panels on the slate roof of the single-storey extension.

Solar with a microinverter
on every panel, in Brentford

A compact solar system on the roof of a single-storey extension in Brentford TW8, with 445W panels and an Enphase microinverter behind each one.

Price my solar
  • Our own job, photographed on the day
  • Free survey and a fixed written price
  • MCS certified, NICEIC approved electrics

Accredited, and fitting the brands you know

NICEIC approved contractorGas Safe RegisterMCS certifiedRECC, Renewable Energy Consumer CodeTrustMark, Government Endorsed QualityVaillantClivetSamsungDaikinMitsubishi ElectricBosch

We installed a compact solar system on the slate roof of a single-storey extension in Brentford TW8, with 445W panels and an Enphase IQ8AC microinverter on each panel. Each panel works on its own, so shade or dirt on one does not reduce the output of the others.

The microinverters carry a 25-year manufacturer warranty, and the system was certified to MCS standards with the DNO notified.

How the job was done

Step by step, in the photographs taken on site.

  1. The panels on the slate roof of the single-storey extension.
    1

    A small roof, used properly

    The extension roof is small and close to the walls of the house, which is exactly where shade moves across panels during the day. That is why this system has an inverter per panel rather than one for the whole array.

  2. Bird mesh clipped round the edge of the array, so nothing can nest under the panels.
    2

    Mesh round the edge

    Bird mesh is clipped round the edge of the array, so pigeons cannot nest in the gap under the panels, which is the most common cause of mess, noise and chewed cables on a London roof.

  3. 3

    One inverter per panel

    With a single string inverter, one shaded panel pulls down the whole string. With a microinverter behind each panel, every panel produces what it can and a fault on one never stops the system.

  4. 4

    Every panel monitored

    The system reports each panel's output separately, so a problem shows up as one panel, not as a vague drop in the total.

Want the same on your roof?

What this job involved, applied to your own house.

Solar panels

Roof survey, 0% VAT and MCS certification

Solar panels

Battery storage

Store cheap or free power and use it in the evening

Battery storage

What solar and a battery cost

Priced per panel, per battery, per certificate

What solar and a battery cost

Heat pumps with solar

The panels run the heat pump through the day

Heat pumps with solar

Brentford TW8: questions about this job

Are microinverters better than a string inverter?

On a roof with shade, chimneys or panels facing different ways, usually yes. On a large unshaded roof a string inverter can be cheaper. A hybrid inverter is the simpler route if you want a battery.

Is it worth putting solar on a small extension roof?

Often, yes, if it gets sun for most of the day. A couple of panels with microinverters makes the most of a small roof, and the survey tells you what it will generate before you commit.

More of our finished work

Other jobs we have photographed. Tap one for the project.

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Book a free solar survey

We look at the roof, the shading and the electrics, then send a written price that does not change. No cost and no obligation.

Call 020 3393 1331

Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm, Sunday closed

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