Insight

With sales of solar panels increasing annually at SIG Roofing and demand for training growing, it’s helping roofers to make renewable energy part of their business and introducing electricians to partner with roofers to take advantage of a growing marketplace.

I began my career as a roofer in 2000 and decided to take a leap into the solar market six years ago when I met an electrician who needed help with solar roof installations. It didn’t take long to realise that it made a profitable partnership of complementary skills. I now work as a solar PV specialist at SIG Roofing, helping roofers and installers find the right solar solutions for their businesses.

Why is the timing right to get into solar?

A growing marketplace has been fuelled by the government’s introduction of the ‘Rooftop Revolution’ initiative in July 2024, aiming to triple solar power capacity by 2030 by installing solar panels on millions of homes and commercial buildings.

Additionally, solar panels are now much more affordable than other renewables, such as air-source and ground-source heat pumps. Advances in manufacturing and improved supply chains have made solar technology more efficient and accessible.

SIG Roofing has been developing its solar PV product range for a number of years, and makes it easy for its customers to provide homeowners with quotes using an online solar calculator powered by Google Maps. Tools like this eliminate a lot of the work involved in measuring and understanding a property's solar potential.

Why should roofing installers offer solar? What are the benefits?

Embracing solar adds value to an installation business, and roofers, with their expertise, make excellent PV installers, even if they haven't all recognised it yet. Working with a certified electrician makes a perfect partnership.

Some roofers mistakenly view solar energy as a complex electrical system, but it's simpler than that. From an electrical standpoint, on the roof all you need to do is connect the panels; no extensive electrical knowledge is required for this, but for further electrical connections qualified electricians are needed. However, it's crucial to have strong waterproofing skills to ensure that the supports for the panels are watertight and durable over the lifespan of the solar system. Roofers should think of solar panels as a type of roof covering—essentially just black glass tiles that need to be properly linked and sealed.”

What training is required to start solar installations?

The solar industry is eager to share knowledge, and at SIG Roofing, I conduct regular training sessions focused on both on-roof and in-roof systems. From my experience, roofers are surprised by how straightforward the process is, and I'd encourage them to take advantage of these courses. It mainly involves understanding the product, installation methods, and safety checks.