Aller au contenu
The energy one stop shop — active across Belgium
Solar panels · Roofing

Solar roof: is your roof made for panels?

The roof is the first factor in solar production: orientation, pitch, shading and the condition of the covering all determine returns. South is ideal, east/west is viable, and a flat roof adapts with tilted mounts. We assess your roof free of charge before any quote.

South
ideal orientation
30–35°
optimal pitch
Tiles · slate · flat
all coverings
Solar roof: is your roof made for panels?
South idealeast/west viable
All typestiles, slate, flat
The key factors

What makes your roof good or bad for solar

Six factors determine the output of your panels. Here’s how to assess them.

  • Orientation
    South = 100%

    Due south produces the maximum. East or west = 85–90%. South-east/south-west = 95%. North = not recommended (only 50–60%).

  • Pitch
    30–35°

    The optimal pitch in Belgium is 30 to 35°. Slopes from 15° to 50° remain highly productive. Flat roof = tilted mounts.

  • Shading
    To avoid

    A chimney, tree or neighbouring building: shade sharply reduces output. Optimisers soften the impact, but the ideal is a clear roof.

  • Covering
    Tiles · slate · flat

    The mounting adapts to each covering: tile hooks, slate brackets, ballast or membrane fixing on a flat roof. Zinc and EPDM too.

  • Roof condition
    To be checked

    Panels last 25–30 years. If the covering needs redoing within 5 years, it’s best to deal with that first. We check the condition before installing.

  • Available surface
    ~1.8 m²/panel

    A panel takes up about 1.8 m². For 6 kWp (14–15 panels), you need ~27 m² of clear roof.

* Indicative benchmarks. The precise assessment is done on site, measuring shading and surface area.

Pitched roof vs flat roof

Each type of roof has its strengths

Pitched or flat, both suit solar. Here are the differences.

Pitched roof (the most common)

  • Natural pitchNo need for mounts: the panels follow the slope.
  • Optimal output if due southThe orientation is set by the roof — if it’s south, it’s ideal.
  • Discreet integrationThe panels hug the roof and are barely visible from the street.
  • Less soilingThe slope helps water run off and naturally cleans the panels.

Flat roof (common in cities)

  • Free orientationTilted mounts let you aim south even on an east/west roof.
  • Bifacial possibleThe space beneath the raised panels allows a bilateral gain.
  • No permit (generally)On a flat roof, the panels aren’t visible: a permit is rarely required.
  • Easy accessMaintenance and cleaning are simpler than on a steep slope.
For which roof

Does my roof suit panels?

Three common configurations in Belgium and their solar potential:

  • Classic home, south-facing slope

    Classic home, south-facing slope

    The ideal case: a clear south-facing slope of 30–40°. Maximum output, fast installation, optimal returns.

  • Flat roof (flat, cube-shaped home)

    Flat roof (flat, cube-shaped home)

    Common in cities. The panels sit on south-facing tilted mounts, ballasted or fixed to the membrane. Usually no permit needed.

  • East-west double pitch

    East-west double pitch

    Panels on both sides: less output per panel, but production spread more evenly across the day. Good for self-consumption.

And what about the planning permit?

In Wallonia, roof-mounted panels are generally exempt from a permit if the building isn’t listed and the panels don’t protrude. In Brussels, the rules differ. We check for you before the quote. Combine it with the right solar kit.

AFTER photo — panels installed on top of the roof
BEFORE photo — empty roof, good orientation
Avant Après
Glissez la poignée pour comparer
Case study · roof assessment, Wavre

A south-facing 35° roof, no shading: the ideal case

The customer was hesitating: was their roof well enough oriented? Our assessment confirmed a perfect south orientation at 35°, with no shading. A 6 kWp kit installed in a single day, with estimated annual output of 5,800 kWh — above the Belgian average.

  • South 35°optimal orientation
  • 5,800 kWhannual output
  • 0 shadingclear roof
Customer reviews

They chose wendows

5.0/5 · 1verified reviews

« Devis clair, sans surprise, primes comprises. Un seul interlocuteur du début à la fin. Je recommande sans hésiter pour le photovoltaïque. »
Pierre M.Tournai
Compare the roofs

South, east-west or flat roof?

Output varies with orientation and the type of roof.

Critère South roofVous êtes ici East/west roofVoir la gamme → Flat roofVoir la gamme →
Annual output 100% (reference) 85–90% 90–95% (tilted mounts)
Daily consistency Midday peak More spread out Midday peak (south-facing)
Self-consumption Good Better (morning + evening) Good
Permit Rarely Rarely Very rarely
Aesthetics Visible Two slopes Invisible
Maintenance Natural cleaning Natural cleaning Regular cleaning
Ideal for Maximum output Self-consumption, 2 slopes City, discretion, bifacial
Indicative benchmarks. The precise assessment is done on site.
Indicative pricing 2026

Roof assessment and installation cost

Assessing your roof is free. The installation cost depends on the type of covering and the complexity of the mounting.

See prices for complete solar kits →

* The type of covering affects the mounting cost, which is included in the kit price.

  • Roof assessment
    Free
    technical visit before the quote
  • 6 kWp kit, pitched roof
    €6,000–9,000
    tile/slate fixing included
  • 6 kWp kit, flat roof
    €6,500–9,500
    ballasted mounts included
  • Reduced VAT
    6%
    for renovation (home > 10 years old)
Roof FAQ

Your questions about the solar roof

My roof faces east-west, is it worth it? +

Yes. An east or west orientation produces 85 to 90% of a south roof. Output is more spread across the day (morning + afternoon), which favours self-consumption. We put panels on both sides.

My roof is slate, is it compatible? +

Absolutely. Fixing is done with hook brackets slid under the slates, without piercing the covering. Tiles, slate, zinc, EPDM, steel decking: each covering has its proven fixing system.

Do you need a permit to install panels? +

In Wallonia, panels mounted on top of an unlisted building are generally exempt. In Brussels, a prior declaration may be required. On a flat roof, panels invisible from the street are rarely subject to a permit. We check for you.

My roof is shaded at certain times, is that a problem? +

It depends on the extent and duration of the shade. Light shading (a chimney late in the day) is handled with optimisers. Dense, permanent shading reduces returns too much. We measure precisely on site.

Should the roof be redone before installing panels? +

If the covering needs to be redone within the next 5–10 years, it’s best to do it before installation (otherwise the panels would have to be removed). We assess the condition during the technical visit.

Do panels damage the roof? +

No. On-top mounting doesn’t pierce the watertight covering. The hooks slide under the tiles or slates. On a flat roof, the ballast doesn’t pierce the membrane. We guarantee watertightness.

Free assessment of your roof within 48 hours

Free technical visit, orientation and shading measurement, costed quote. Describe your project in under a minute.

  • Free and with no obligation
  • Orientation + shading assessment
  • Costed quote after the visit