Barn Roof Solar & Battery Installation in New Ash Green (TN15)
When people think about solar panels, they often picture a traditional residential roof. However, many properties across Kent have outbuildings, workshops, garages, or barns that can provide an excellent platform for solar generation.
In some cases, these buildings can actually be better suited to solar than the main house itself, offering large, unobstructed roof areas with plenty of space for a high-performing installation.
This recent project in New Ash Green, Kent (TN15) is a great example. By making use of an existing barn roof, the homeowner was able to install a solar and battery storage system designed to significantly reduce electricity costs, increase energy independence, and generate long-term savings.
Here’s a closer look at the system and the performance it’s expected to deliver.
System Size
Solar Generation
Total Savings
Solar & Battery Installation on a Barn Roof in New Ash Green
For this project in New Ash Green, we installed a complete solar and battery storage system on the property’s barn roof, making productive use of otherwise unused roof space.
The installation included:
- 12 × JinkoSolar Tiger Neo 445W All Black N-Type Mono solar panels
- 1 × Fox ESS H3 Smart 8kW 3-Phase Hybrid Inverter
- 1 × Fox ESS EP12 Battery (10.36kWh)
The all-black panels provide a sleek appearance while delivering strong efficiency and performance. Combined with a three-phase hybrid inverter and Fox ESS battery storage system, the setup allows the homeowner to generate, store, and use their own electricity throughout the day and night.
Fox ESS are our battery & inverter partner of choice, with Sunbright Energy being the only Fox ESS approved partner in Kent. Learn more about Fox ESS here.
For properties with suitable outbuildings, barn roofs can often provide an ideal location for solar panels due to their size, accessibility, and reduced likelihood of shading.
Why Barn Roofs Can Be Excellent for Solar Panels
Barns and outbuildings are often overlooked when homeowners first consider solar energy.
However, they can offer several advantages.
Large Roof Areas
Many barns provide considerably more roof space than a standard house, making it easier to install a larger system without compromising panel layout.
Fewer Obstructions
Unlike residential roofs, barns are often free from chimneys, dormers, roof lights, and other features that can reduce usable space.
Reduced Shading
Outbuildings are frequently positioned away from neighbouring properties and trees, helping maximise solar generation throughout the day.
Making Better Use of Existing Structures
Rather than leaving a roof unused, solar panels can turn it into an income-generating asset while helping reduce household energy costs.
For this New Ash Green property, the barn roof provided an excellent opportunity to maximise solar generation potential.
How Much Energy Will the System Generate?
This system in New Ash Green, Kent is expected to generate approximately:
- 5,789kWh of electricity per year
This generation is expected to be used in several ways throughout the property.
Generation Breakdown
Of the electricity generated annually:
- 1,982kWh will be used directly within the property
- 503kWh will be stored and used later via the battery
- 3,279kWh will be exported back to the grid
This balance allows the homeowner to benefit from both reduced electricity purchases and export income.
Household Energy Usage Breakdown
The property’s annual electricity consumption is expected to be supplied by:
- 1,982kWh directly from solar panels
- 2,622kWh from battery storage
- 1,395kWh from the grid
This demonstrates the significant role battery storage plays in reducing reliance on imported electricity.
Rather than exporting all surplus generation immediately, excess energy can be stored and used later when the property still requires power.
From £1,740 Electricity Bills to Just £202 Per Year in New Ash Green
One of the most compelling aspects of this New Ash Green installation is the projected financial performance.
Based on current tariff assumptions, the homeowner’s electricity costs are expected to reduce substantially.
Electricity Bill Reduction
Before the installation:
- Annual electricity bill: £1,740
After the installation:
- Projected annual electricity bill: £470
Annual saving:
- £1,270
This alone represents a significant reduction in ongoing household energy costs.
Additional Export Income
The system is also expected to generate income through exported electricity.
Using an export tariff of 16p/kWh, the homeowner is projected to earn:
- £267 per year
through electricity exported back to the grid.
This takes their effective electricity cost down to just £202 per year.
Solar savings are different for every property, as each building has its own unique design, structure and energy needs.
That’s why we’ve developed our very own Sunbright Energy Solar Savings Calculator. Simply enter your postcode below and you’ll get a tailored savings estimate for your property:
Why Battery Storage Makes Such a Big Difference
Battery storage has become one of the most valuable additions to modern solar installations.
Without a battery, excess solar generation produced during the day is typically exported immediately.
With battery storage, that energy can be saved and used later when the household still needs electricity.
This increases self-consumption and reduces reliance on grid imports.
Battery Management and Smart Tariffs
Modern batteries can also work alongside time-of-use electricity tariffs.
This allows homeowners to:
- Charge batteries during low-cost periods
- Use stored energy when electricity prices are higher
- Improve overall financial returns
This approach is commonly known as battery management.
Additional Savings Through Battery Management
For this property in New Ash Green, battery management could deliver:
- An additional £414 in annual savings
When these savings are added to the standard solar and battery performance figures, the overall first-year result becomes even stronger.
In their first year, this property in New Ash Green is expected to achieve a £212 profit on their energy bill in the first year.
*Returns are not guaranteed and depend on usage patterns and electricity tariff selection.
At Sunbright Energy, we’ve partnered with Axle Energy, giving our customers with select battery storage units access to a £1/kWh solar export rate. Learn more about that here.
Is a Barn Roof Suitable for Solar Panels?
This project demonstrates that solar isn’t limited to conventional house roofs.
Barns and outbuildings can often provide excellent opportunities for solar generation, particularly where there is:
- A large roof area
- Good sun exposure
- Minimal shading
- Suitable structural condition
For many rural and semi-rural properties across Kent, these buildings can unlock solar potential that homeowners may not have previously considered.
Could a Similar System Work for Your Property?
This type of installation is particularly well suited to:
- Homeowners in Kent and the South East
- Properties with barns, workshops, or outbuildings
- Rural and semi-rural homes
- Medium-to-high electricity users
- Homeowners considering battery storage alongside solar
Every property is different, but projects like this provide a useful indication of what can be achieved with the right system design.
See What Solar Could Deliver for Your Property
If you own your home in New Ash Green, Kent or the surrounding areas and want to see what a solar and battery system could achieve for your property, our Solar Savings Calculator can provide a tailored estimate based on your roof space, electricity usage, and energy goals.
It’s a simple way to understand the potential savings and performance available before making any decisions.
Simply enter your postcode below, and you’ll get an instant savings estimate for your home!
Meet The Owner
Oliver Crouch – Director
“I’m Oliver, the Director of Sunbright Energy. We’re a local, family-run business in the solar industry, which I’ve proudly led since its founding in 2014.
As a family business, we value personal connections and community. We’re driven to treat every customer with the respect and attention they deserve. Don’t hesitate to start your solar journey today – get in touch with Sunbright Energy for a service you can trust.”
Can solar panels be installed on a barn roof in the UK?
Yes. Provided the structure is suitable and receives adequate sunlight, barn roofs can be an excellent location for solar panels and often offer more usable space than residential roofs.
How much electricity can a 12-panel solar system generate?
Generation varies depending on panel specification, orientation, and location. This particular solar installation in New Ash Green features 12-panels, and is expected to generate approximately 5,789kWh per year.
Is battery storage worth it with solar panels?
For many homeowners, yes. Battery storage allows excess solar energy to be used later, reducing reliance on the grid and increasing overall savings.
How much can solar panels reduce electricity bills?
Savings vary by property and energy usage. In this example in New Ash Green, the homeowner is projected to reduce annual electricity costs by approximately £1,270 before export income is included.
Are barn roofs good for solar panel installations?
As Barn roofs often have large uninterrupted roof spaces with minimal shading, it makes them highly effective locations for solar panels.
