Guide · Solar panels
In-roof vs on-roof solar panels: which should you choose?
Checked by our MCS-certified installers · Updated October 2026
Short answer
On-roof panels sit on rails just above your tiles; in-roof panels replace a section of tiles and sit flush.
On-roof is the usual choice for an existing roof, and it is our standard. In-roof makes most sense when the roof is being built or re-tiled anyway.
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MCS-certified installer · Cert. no. NAP/79987/26/1
Side by side
| On-roof | In-roof | |
|---|---|---|
| How it sits | On rails a few centimetres above the tiles | In place of tiles, flush with the roof |
| Best for | Existing roofs in good condition | New builds, re-roofs, loft conversions |
| Cost on an existing roof | Lower — tiles stay in place | Higher — tiles come off and a flashing kit goes in |
| Output | Air underneath keeps panels cooler | Can run a little warmer, which can trim output slightly |
| Looks | Neat and low with all-black panels | The flattest, most built-in look |
| Replacing a panel later | Straightforward | More work — the panel is part of the roof |
Want a flush, in-roof finish instead? Ask us — we look at it roof by roof, especially if you are re-roofing.
Planning
Either way, panels on most houses in England are permitted development. Conservation areas and listed buildings need a check first. Planning rules for solar →
Our on-roof standard
All-black panels in one tidy block, clear of the ridge and edges, cables hidden, and mesh clipped round the array so birds can't nest underneath. How bird proofing works →
In-roof and on-roof questions
Is in-roof solar watertight?
Yes, when fitted with its own flashing kit — it becomes part of the roof's weatherproofing, so it must be fitted to the maker's system.
Can in-roof go on my existing roof?
It can, but the tiles in that area come off and the job is bigger. It is easiest when the roof is being re-tiled anyway.
Do on-roof panels damage the tiles?
No. Roof hooks slip under the tiles and fix to the rafters; the tiles go back over them.
Can ECONEXIS fit in-roof solar panels?
Ask us. On-roof is our standard, but if you want panels flush with the roof — for example while it is being re-tiled — we will look at in-roof for your home and quote it.
Which gives more electricity?
For the same panels, on-roof can produce slightly more because the air gap keeps them cooler. The roof's direction and shading matter far more.
Get started
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