These little roofs are often better than you think
Many Swiss projects focus on the main house while a garage, a carport or an outbuilding can sometimes offer a simpler, less shaded and better oriented surface.
The 6 points to check
Check the structure of the annex building
A light carport or an old annex does not necessarily support the same project as a masonry garage. Structure must be judged before potential yield.
Look at the orientation and actual shading
Outbuildings may be less affected by chimneys and other obstacles on the main house. Assess the actual solar potential of the secondary roof.
Check cable distance and connection requirements
An outbuilding with good solar potential may be less attractive if connecting it to the main electrical distribution board is complex or expensive.
Link the project to a concrete use
These roofs can be particularly useful when supplying an EV charging station, a workshop, a secondary heat pump or a building with daytime consumption.
Check permissions and construction requirements
The construction work and required permissions for a carport or outbuilding may differ from those for a conventional house roof.
Compare the outbuilding, house roof and combined options
Compare an outbuilding-only installation, a house-roof installation and a combined project. The best option depends on the actual roof and connection conditions.