Solar Panel Installation on Garage & Garden Outbuilding
Two roofs, one integrated system, and a Fox ESS battery built for long-term energy independence
This homeowner in Colchester wanted to take full advantage of the roof space available across both their garage and a separate garden outbuilding, rather than limiting the system to a single roof. Simcott Renewables designed and installed a dual-building solar PV system, complete with a modern Fox ESS battery storage solution, giving the property long-term energy savings and greater independence from the grid.
Splitting generation across two structures meant the design had to account for two different roof types, two cable runs, and a single, unified electrical integration, all while keeping the finished result visually consistent across the property.
Making the most of two separate roofs
With generation potential spread across a garage and a garden outbuilding, the challenge was to design a system that treated both roofs as part of one coherent installation rather than two unrelated projects. The garage roof was tiled, while the garden outbuilding had slate roofing, meaning the mounting approach needed to suit two different materials without compromising on the finished appearance.
The homeowner also wanted the panels to blend naturally with the property rather than standing out, which meant careful attention to panel colour, layout, and cable routing across both buildings.
A coordinated dual-building array with Fox ESS storage
On the garden outbuilding, which offered an excellent roof angle for solar generation, we installed a sleek, well-balanced all-black array that blends naturally with the building's slate roofing. The garage roof was fitted with high-efficiency monocrystalline panels, secured on both tiled and slate roofing with clean, discreet cable routing and a panel layout optimised for maximum generation throughout the day.
In total, the system comprises 10 x 500W panels on the garage and 6 x 500W panels on the garden building, a configuration that ensures the homeowner captures solar energy across both roof spaces at different points in the day. To maximise self-consumption, we installed a Fox ESS inverter and a floor-standing battery unit, allowing the homeowner to store excess solar energy, draw on stored power during peak-rate periods, reduce reliance on the grid, and monitor performance through smart controls.
A dedicated consumer unit was installed to safely integrate the solar and battery system, with the full installation meeting 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, Amendment 2 testing standards, and dual supply isolation requirements.
System Specification
- Garage Roof: 10 x 500W high-efficiency monocrystalline panels
- Garden Outbuilding Roof: 6 x 500W panels, all-black array
- Battery: Fox ESS floor-standing battery unit with smart monitoring
- Electrical: Dedicated consumer unit, 18th Edition and Amendment 2 compliant
- Roof Types: Tiled (garage) and slate (garden outbuilding)
- Location: Colchester, Essex
Performance and Results
The dual-building design allows the homeowner to capture solar generation across two differently-oriented roof spaces throughout the day, while the Fox ESS battery storage significantly increases how much of that generated energy is used on site rather than exported.
From day one, the property has benefited from lower energy bills, greater energy independence through battery storage, and a reduced carbon footprint. The system was also specified with future flexibility in mind, providing a setup that is ready to support an EV charger or a heat pump addition further down the line.
Why This Project Matters
This project shows that a property with more than one suitable roof does not need to settle for a single, smaller installation. By treating the garage and garden outbuilding as one coordinated system rather than two separate jobs, we were able to deliver a larger, more effective array than either roof could have supported on its own, all while keeping cable routing clean and the finished look consistent across the property.
It also demonstrates the value of pairing a dual-roof solar array with proper battery storage. Splitting generation across two buildings naturally increases the spread of energy capture through the day, and storing that energy locally with the Fox ESS system ensures more of it is actually used by the household rather than exported at a lower rate.
Project Summary
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | Colchester, Essex |
| Garage Panels | 10 x 500W monocrystalline |
| Outbuilding Panels | 6 x 500W, all-black array |
| Battery | Fox ESS floor-standing unit |
| Roof Types | Tiled and slate |
| Compliance | 18th Edition Wiring Regs, Amendment 2 tested |
| Future Ready | EV charger and heat pump compatible |
Have more than one roof that could generate solar?
If your property has multiple outbuildings, a garage, or a separate structure with roof space of its own, it is worth having each assessed together rather than settling for a single, smaller system.
At Simcott Renewables, we design and install home solar panels and battery storage across Essex and the wider UK, including dual-building and multi-roof installations engineered to work as one coordinated system.
We provide:
- Multi-roof and dual-building system design
- Mounting solutions suited to different roof materials
- Fox ESS and other leading battery storage options
- Fully compliant electrical integration
- Systems specified with EV chargers and heat pumps in mind
Ready to make the most of every roof on your property?
Tell us about your garage, outbuildings, and main roof — we assess honestly and can design a system that makes the most of all your available space.
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