Solar panels in Currie and Balerno: suburban roofs

What kind of housing is in Currie & Balerno?

Currie and Balerno are suburban areas on the south-western edge of Edinburgh, with mostly detached and semi-detached houses from the mid-to-late 20th century. The roofs are typically concrete tile or slate, with generous pitches that are well suited to solar panels. There are also some older stone cottages near the original village centres, which may have slate roofs and smaller roof areas.

Do roofs in Currie & Balerno suit solar panels?

The detached houses in Currie and Balerno often have large, unshaded roof areas that are ideal for solar. The main consideration is shading from the Pentland Hills to the south, which can reduce afternoon generation for properties closest to the hills. Mature trees in some gardens can also cast shadows. The survey measures shading at different times and seasons and models the real expected output for your specific roof.

Are there planning restrictions in Currie & Balerno?

Currie and Balerno have very few conservation areas or listed buildings, so most domestic solar installations go ahead as permitted development. The older village centres may have some restrictions. Some properties near the Pentland Hills may be in the green belt, which can affect ground-mounted arrays but not roof-mounted panels. We check the planning position for your address.

How does the weather affect solar in Currie & Balerno?

Currie and Balerno sit at a slightly higher elevation than central Edinburgh, close to the Pentland Hills. This means marginally more wind exposure and potentially slightly cooler temperatures, which can actually improve panel efficiency in summer. Solar irradiance is very similar to the rest of the Lothians. The hills to the south can reduce late-afternoon sun for some properties, which the survey measures.

Last updated: 28 October 2026 · Reviewed by the Scottish Energy Efficiency team.