Solar PV for affordable homes

Thirteen Group is a housing association committed to providing affordable homes. Of course, affordability means more than keeping rent low. It also means ensuring homes are economical to run and maintain. Solar PV helps reduce energy bills and supports long-term energy security for families.

Kieran Havelin, area sales manager at Marley, explains: “For this green housing scheme in Ashington, the use of Marley PV allows occupants to anchor their energy prices, while providing optimum returns.” With each system expected to generate around 1,857 kWh of solar energy per year, depending on usage patterns and based on May 2025 energy prices, each household could save up to £400 a year while also lowering carbon emissions.

While the Marley SolarTile®’s performance was a significant reason for its specification, its aesthetics and ease of installation were also important considerations.

Paul Armstrong, project manager for Sendrig Construction, explains that the client had previously used Marley SolarTile® in other projects and was keen to use it again. “The SolarTile® is a great product that integrates well with the roof. It sits flush with the roofline for an attractive finish, and it’s one of the best products around for solar PV,” he says.

Using a single supplier for the roofing system and solar panels

With Marley’s complete roofing system, all elements of the roof construction can be specified together, including the solar panels. This helps to ensure compatibility, simplifies logistics and supports compliance.

For Ashington Green, Marley provided JB Red battens, Modern concrete roof tiles in smooth grey, dry-fix ridge tiles and verges, ArcBox protection and more than 100 SolarTile® panels.

Paul points out that having everything delivered together improved efficiency: “The system went together smoothly and quickly. It was easier to plan, and on-site storage was more manageable.”

Because the Ashington Green project is located next to a school, access for deliveries was complicated, but Paul says that having Marley as a single source for the roofing simplified planning: “Deliveries to site had to be carefully timed to avoid the congestion of busy school run times. Having the full system bundled together from a single supplier meant there were fewer deliveries, helping to streamline logistics and reduce disruption.”

He also notes the environmental benefits: “Fewer deliveries meant lower transport emissions, contributing to the overall sustainability of the scheme.”

Kevin Burt, director of Kevin Burt Roofing, adds that Marley’s complete roof system gave peace of mind for the finished project: “I’ve been using Marley roofing products for years – it’s a trusted name in roofing. Plus, using Marley’s all-in-one system meant that the roof would be protected with a 25-year efficiency guarantee.”

Onsite solar PV installation training

To ensure that the team from Kevin Burt Roofing had a thorough understanding of how to install Marley SolarTiles® and to help keep the project moving forward, Kieran and his colleague Thom Marshall provided hands-on training and guidance.

Kieran says: “We spent the whole day on site, first demonstrating how to install the solar panels and then providing advice and guidance. After showing them how to install the first solar panel, they quickly picked up the process and were soon installing the panels with confidence.”

Kevin confirms that the training helped ensure that the project ran smoothly, and he adds that the knowledge gained during the training will also benefit him and his team in the future. Kevin and his business partner, Kevin Long, have recently set up a new business, New Power Solar, to address the growing demand for solar PV. “Marley’s training gave the team a better idea of how to install the integrated solar panels. They were there for the whole day, and their guidance was really helpful,” he explains.

He highlights a feature of the Marley SolarTile® that helped to simplify the installation process: “All of the components are colour-coded, so it’s easy to see what you need for each step. It was all straightforward and helped to save time on site.” 

Solar panels providing long-term value for affordable homes

As the Ashington Green development nears completion, feedback has been positive. Thanks to the Marley roof tiles and dry-fix systems, the roofs meet the requirements of BS 5250:2021: Management of moisture in buildings and BS 5534:2014+A2:2018 Slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding, supporting compliance with building regulations and other standards. In addition, the Marley SolarTile® will contribute to the energy efficiency and affordable running of the homes.

Kieren says that the system’s performance, aesthetics and installation made it an ideal choice for the project: “The roof-integrated design of the Marley SolarTile® gives it a streamlined appearance and complements the rest of the roofing system. The SolarTile® is also maintenance-free and provides high-efficiency electricity generation. And with a 25-year efficiency guarantee on the PV, both Thirteen Group and residents will benefit from long-term peace of mind and energy savings.”

Paul confirms that the installation process went smoothly and says he’d happily use Marley systems again in the future. Kevin agrees, praising the system's quality and design. “The Marley SolarTile® looks really good – sleek and modern. It’s ideal for new-build homes and easy to install. I’d definitely use it again.”

To learn more about how Marley's complete roofing system – including integrated solar panels – can support the construction of affordable homes, please visit our dedicated page about roofing for social housing. You can also contact our team of experts to discuss your next project in more detail.