Solar panels - flat roof or garden?

[JamMakingWannaBe]

Has anyone installed solar panels on a flat roof extension and/or in their garden?

What might I need to consider if I was to move forward with this?

TIA

I have a flat roof. It’s the norm where I live. All of my panels are up there. There’s also a few on the carport roof. I’ve no idea about how it all worked out because we had a company come in and do the whole project. I can’t see that a flat roof would be a hindrance when installing panels and I think we have about 40 of them.

Sorry just to add that a parapet wall around our roof means the panels aren’t visible to the road or the neighbours.

Flat roof likely safer as ground based panels are more likely to be damaged somehow. The base frame can create the angle you need so although the roof is flat, that doesn't mean the panels need to be.

Sounds promising.
I was a bit concerned about the extra weight but I'm assuming that will be checked before installation.
Our extension is approx 5m x 7m.

The garden idea was just to have extra panels in unused space in our front garden.

Good you have choice then so if the roof is unsuitable you're still able to have them.
Have a look at this:
mcscertified.com/
If you're not already aware of it, read up. Solar panel installation is an unregulated industry so anyone can do it. Not a problem necessarily, but wise to know what's what... this scheme provides a set of standards of advice insurance technical expertise etc. It's a bit like gas safe but for renewable energy and it's a voluntary scheme rather than a national gov regulator. If your installer is a member it gives you some additional reassurance that they aren't cowboys. If not it at least gives you an idea what standards you should be able to expect from installers.
Worth a look if you haven't already.

I'd be very wary of installing anything on a flat roof. Presumably the frame requires holes through the waterproof membrane to fix them down. A potential weak point for leaks.

We had an initial quote (based on Google maps) which included a variation for ten on our flat roof, along with some on the main house roof, but the company then never came back with the detailed quote.

We're going ahead with the ones on the main roof but new company don't seem keen to put them on the flat roof!

We have solar panels on our flat roof. They are mounted on free standing frames held down by heavy weights. Nothing at all fixed or drilled into the roof so no effect on roof membrane.

flat roof works great - we have it. doesn't affect the membrane and easy to install.