THE UK SOLAR ROADMAP: ROOF SURVEYORS’ AND INSTALLERS’ INSIGHTS

The UK solar sector is progressing rapidly; within just the first 6 months of 2025, it has increased by 64% in capacity compared to 2024. This aligns with the ambitious UK Solar Roadmap 2030, an initiative that outlines reaching 60 GW solar capacity by 2030. Under the Future Homes Standard (FHS), it complements the Solar Roadmap by mandating that new homes built from October 2026 have solar PV as an essential infrastructure, which will result in 75 to 80% less carbon emission compared to the current situation. Solar roof surveyors, installers, and solar designers are going to be under great pressure to make sure that the new homes are safe and structurally and electrically prepared for the new standards. Let’s explore what the UK Solar Roadmap means, with the insights from surveyors and installers.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE SOLAR ROADMAP

The UK Solar Roadmap charts a bold expansion of the current solar deployment from 19 GW (May 2025) to 45 to 47 GW, becoming a part of the wider ambitious plan of the Solar Roadmap 2023. This initiative is highly advocated for Net Zero 2050. A key player is Future Homes Standard (FHS), which mandates solar PV systems for new homes built from October 2026 and is expected to create 35,000 new jobs. Exceptions are made for high-rise buildings withmore than 15 storeys, where installing the system might not be feasible.The UK Solar Roadmap sets out 70 actions across 6 priority areas, namely, rooftop solar acceleration, grid reforms, supply chain strengthening, skills development, planning simplification, and innovation.

HOW WILL IT AFFECT THE ROOF SURVEYORS AND INSTALLERS

The impact is notable, with solar projects being rushed and the need for roof surveyors, certification assessments, and licensed installers increasing sharply. The mandate for solar-ready new builds will require certifying and installing systems on 150,000 to 200,000 domestic roofs annually. The public and commercial sectors, like schools and hospitals, have already started the tendering process for 2026-28. Additionally, MCS-based installations are expected to double by the year 2028.

ROOF SURVEYORS’ INSIGHTS 

The role of a surveyor is going to be more crucial and valuable; structural loading will be mandatory for every survey. In order to comply with the norms, the newly built homes will have to prove that they can take 15 to 20 kg/m² dead load wind/snow. The tile/slate type must be noted exactly. With the perovskite and tandem cells on board, shading analysis is a must, or else any minor inconvenience will not yield the ROI. 

LiDAR/drone surveyors are already onboarded. BESS and EV chargers can change the whole survey planning. Additionally, roof surveyors have to fill out a Solar Readiness Report for housebuilders and Part L compliance from 2026.

INSTALLER’s SPECIFIC

 The UK Solar Roadmap plans for 40% of ground floor utilisation, which means that the average domestic installation shifts from 3.5 to 4 kWp to 6 to 8 kWp. Zero BusBar (0BB/ZBB) shows efficiency by 16% in the front and 27% in the back. The more fragile nature of the corner-to-corner glass can cause handling and claiming issues. The Hybrid inverter with the battery bundle is expected to fit the 13.5 kWh batteries. Laser-assisted contact application will enhance the structure of the panel by using less silver, making it cost-effective. Good installers are already charging something between 350 pounds and 450 pounds; expect this to increase as there are going to be skill issues.

CONCLUSION

Industry forecasts suggest that the solar farms and rooftop panels take up 0.06 to 0.07% of the UK’s total land area and have become a £50-billion market. This will increase as the deployment intensifies. From 2027 onwards, 150,000 to 200,000 new homes will be expected to have solar PV installation. This would be backed by the government grants and financial incentives, which would intensify the retrofit market, thus creating high-margin jobs. Due to the predictable nature of the projects, banks and the green funds will increase the lending, especially towards renewable energy. Additionally, requirements like BESS, EV charging stations, in-roof systems, and off-grid will increase the profits per installation. Owing to the current market, installers can make £2,000–£10,000 gross profit per job.

 Industry analysts are already predicting a significant increase in the gross margin from 20% to approximately 28% to 35% by the end of 2027, due to labour scarcity and skill issues. If the market conditions continue to be favourable, the UK solar capacity can reach up to 85 GW by 2035. For businesses that are ready to adopt it early, a rare window is open, with the opportunity to double their turnover by 2028 with low risk. This is the best opportunity the installers have ever had.