Installing solar panels? Your roof may contain asbestos.
Many older roofs, particularly corrugated cement sheets on industrial, agricultural, and commercial buildings, contain asbestos. You cannot install solar panels on an asbestos cement roof without first addressing the asbestos.
Drilling, cutting, or applying loads to asbestos cement roofing releases dangerous fibres. Most solar installers will refuse to work on a roof that hasn't been cleared, and doing so without proper assessment is a legal offence in most jurisdictions.
The process typically involves: asbestos survey to confirm the material, removal of asbestos roofing by a licensed contractor, installation of new roofing, and then solar panel installation. Some grant programmes cover part of the asbestos removal cost when combined with solar installation.
The Problem
Agricultural buildings, barns, stables, sheds, and poultry houses, are among the most likely to have asbestos cement roofs. These corrugated sheets were cheap, durable, and widely available, making them the default roofing material for farm buildings throughout the 20th century.
Farmers seeking to generate additional income through rooftop solar must replace the asbestos cement roofing first. Many agricultural grant programmes recognise this barrier and offer combined funding for asbestos removal and solar installation on farm buildings.
What You Need
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 20% rule for solar?
The 20% rule refers to planning guidelines requiring that solar installations do not protrude more than 20cm from the roof surface. Permitted development rights vary by property type and local authority.
Why are people getting rid of their solar panels?
Some homeowners remove solar panels when roof repairs are needed, particularly when the roof contains asbestos cement that must be replaced first. Others replace ageing panels with more efficient modern technology.
What roof condition assessment is needed before solar panel planning?
Before planning solar panels on any pre-2000 building, a roof condition assessment should determine: the material composition (whether it contains asbestos), the structural integrity for additional load, the remaining useful life of the roof material, and any damage that would prevent safe panel mounting. If asbestos cement is present, removal and re-roofing is typically required before installation.
Can you jet wash an asbestos roof?
No, jet washing or pressure washing asbestos cement roofing is strongly discouraged as it damages the surface and releases fibres. Chemical moss treatments that do not require abrasion are the recommended alternative.
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