Green Building Forum - Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

minisaurus — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 12:37:17 +0100

A rumour/myth circulating in la Sweden is that installing solar panels will cause increased humidity in a ventilated loft, which in turn might result in mould growth.

The concept is mostly promoted by "humidity" companies that sell e.g. de-humidifiers. I've seen no references to evidence to back up the theory, and am interested in the opinions and experiences of the good folk on this forum :)

My roof is a typical two sides rising to a "point", with the insulation lying flat over the ceiling and ventilation via the eaves, and even a few holes at the higher places under the tiles.

Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

tony — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:45:08 +0100

Rubbish! Well the could slightly shade the roof reducing heat but it is basically nonsense.

Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

minisaurus — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 16:33:33 +0100

I thought as much, there's a lot of air up there! We do get high RH in the late summer, but I struggle to imagine any wood would get sufficiently damp for mould to start growing.

Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

Peter_in_Hungary — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 18:02:45 +0100

unless there is insufficient ventilation - in which case buy a dehumidifier from a ' humidity' company and plug it in or increase the ventilation. You might want to take advice from the 'humidity' company sales rep - or not !!

Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

minisaurus — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 19:18:25 +0100

Posted By: Peter_in_Hungaryunless there is insufficient ventilation - in which case buy a dehumidifier from a ' humidity' company and plug it in or increase the ventilation. You might want to take advice from the 'humidity' company sales rep - or not !!

The loft has had sufficient ventilation since built back in the 80s, i.e. no mould, so I'm assuming (hoping) the solar panels won't affect that?

(don't know why I can't quote with this browser Chromium )..

Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

Ed Davies — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 19:35:03 +0100

The only case I can think of where it might theoretically be possible for panels to cause condensation issues would be if in-roof panels are installed without sufficient ventilation gap between their fibreglass trays and the rafters/sarking/membrane/whatever comes next.

Posted By: minisaurus(don't know why I can't quote with this browser Chromium ).

You need to select Html in the â€œFormat comment asâ€ radio buttons below the â€œEnter your commentsâ€ box.

Solar panels causing mould in ventilated lofts?

minisaurus — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 19:41:42 +0100

Posted By: Ed DaviesYou need to select Html in the â€œFormat comment asâ€ radio buttons below the â€œEnter your commentsâ€ box.

Thanks