Rent out roof space

We conclude lease agreements for up to 40 years, and sometimes even longer. The lease agreements are concluded individually, for example with a minimum term of 20 years and an additional 2x 10-year extension option. This means that when you rent out roofs, you benefit from the rental income from your roof area over a long period of time and increase the value of your property in the long term through profit sharing.

If you would like to rent out your roof area, we will install the photovoltaic system on your roof within approx. 4 weeks. A maximum of 8 weeks is required, in some cases we are ready after just 2 weeks.

This also depends on whether we renovate the roof surfaces before you rent out your roof. If the roof surfaces are refurbished, more time is required than without roof refurbishment. 

If the roof surfaces are to be renovated, we proceed step by step so that the old roof cladding is removed first and then the new roof cladding is installed. Then we move on to the next section. This ensures that the roof surfaces are almost completely covered during the roof renovation and that the inside of the building remains protected in the event of rain. 

In principle, almost all buildings are suitable for roof space rental. We build on farms, warehouses, production halls, roofing in any form, riding halls, halls with animal husbandry, residential buildings, indoor swimming pools, car dealerships, commercial enterprises, industrial halls, sports facilities, indoor tennis courts and many more...

It is important that the PV modules are not excessively contaminated. This would be the case, for example, if you were to breed pigs or chickens in the buildings and the exhaust air were to be discharged in the middle of the roof area directly above the modules. In this case, the photovoltaic system would be exposed to so much pollution that it would hardly be possible to operate it economically.

It is therefore not always possible to rent out the roof area, and not with all buildings. The same applies to a roof area that is shaded. As soon as a shadow falls on the photovoltaic modules that cannot be removed, the yields of the PV direct investment are significantly impaired. Therefore, only areas that are exposed to sunlight around the clock can be used.

Yes, as the roof lease is agreed for a period of 40 years and roof renovation during the term must be ruled out in advance.

If your roofs are not new or have recently been renewed, we must renovate the roofs before the roof rental. We will cover the cost of the roof refurbishment. If your roof surfaces are already somewhat older and you are not sure whether the roof surfaces will be able to withstand the next 40 years, please send us detailed pictures of the roofs so that we can discuss this with you.

Yes, we even renovate roofs containing asbestos. Our roofers professionally remove and dispose of old corrugated asbestos sheets that are harmful to health.

So if your roofs still contain asbestos, the combination with roof space rental is not only an ecologically but also an economically extremely sensible solution. We bear the entire costs and you benefit from the new roof areas and the additional long-term rental income. Here you can find everything you need to know about asbestos removal photovoltaics

Below you will find pictures of asbestos boards and the dismantling process.

We only use trapezoidal sheet ing from a well-known German manufacturer for roof renovation. Trapezoidal sheeting is extremely weather-resistant, durable and very stable. It is therefore very suitable if you want to rent out your roof areas over a longer period of time. It is also relatively light, so the existing roof truss can usually withstand the additional static load of the PV system without any problems. You can find everything you need to know about free roof renovation here.

There is an anti-condensation fleece on the underside of the trapezoidal sheet, which prevents condensation from dripping from the ceiling. This anti-condensation fleece costs more, but we will pay this surcharge for you.

If you would like to rent out your roof area and the roof needs to be renovated, we will cover the renovation costs by hiring a qualified roofer with whom we have been working successfully for many years. If a property owner wants to rent their roof to us, we take great care to ensure that we carry out the renovation work in such a way that all roofs are leak-proof and have been renovated to a high standard. This is the only way to ensure positive cooperation over the coming decades.

As a rule, you do not need any additional insulation after the roof renovation.

By installing the trapezoidal sheet and installing a second layer of photovoltaic modules, two layers with a gap are created in the roof rental. The photovoltaic modules are mounted together without gaps so that they cover the entire roof surface. This creates additional insulation.

→ This keeps buildings cooler in summer and provides additional thermal insulation in winter.

It also provides additional noise insulation when it rains. The photovoltaic modules intercept the rain and are cleaned, while the roof cladding remains protected. The noise level inside is therefore significantly lower than without a photovoltaic system on the roof.

A prerequisite if you want to rent out your roof area is an intact roof structure. If this is not the case, we cannot offer you roof renovation free of charge.

We can carry out roof truss work for you, this is not included in the costs. We would pass these labor and material costs on to you without a surcharge.

Roof truss work includes, for example, the supply and installation of battens, the replacement of trusses, collar beams or rafters.

Would you like to rent out your roof area and need a new roof covering? Then we will renovate it for you completely free of charge.

We cannot cover any other costs for additional services such as the installation of gutters and downpipes.

We would pass on the costs for this without a surcharge. The free roof renovation includes the removal of the old roof cladding, the disposal of the old roof cladding (including panels containing asbestos) and the installation of a new roof cladding.

Examples of other chargeable special services: colored trapezoidal sheet metal, demolition of chimneys, extra insulation or sandwich panels instead of trapezoidal sheet metal.

In principle, it is possible to rent out the roof area and use the electricity generated yourself at the same time.

However, the hardware required to use the electricity yourself costs so much that it is only worth purchasing electricity directly once a certain amount of electricity is required each year.

If this solution is economically viable, you can protect yourself from rising electricity prices in this way. To check whether your electricity requirements are sufficient to use the PV system yourself, please send us your most recent electricity bill.

The photovoltaic system feeds the electricity it produces into the public grid. The system operator receives a 20-year feed-in tariff for the sale of the electricity from his solar direct investment.

After the first 20 years, the electricity can continue to be sold on the free market. There will be many different options for this, some of which are described in the subpage Remuneration after 20 years for more information.

By renting out your roof area now, you still benefit from the legally guaranteed remuneration, which is currently still paid for newly built PV systems. If this remuneration ceases to apply, it will no longer be economically viable to install a PV roof system. So don't waste any time if you want to rent out your roofs.

Is it more economical to rent out roof space or buy your own photovoltaic system? This is very easy to answer: 

For most roof owners, it is generally much more interesting to rent out the roof areas .

This is because the buyers of a solar system are nowadays the ones who can benefit from tax advantages. Nobody invests in a PV system purely for profit anymore. There are much more lucrative investments, such as real estate. 

Why is it hardly possible to make a profit? 

As the EEG remuneration for newly built photovoltaic systems has fallen dramatically. In 2010, solar systems paid for themselves after around 10 years. It now takes 20 years for the costs of a PV system to be amortized! 

What tax advantages can be used? 

Especially when it comes to the taxation of severance pay! Investors can save taxes on severance pay or even receive the severance pay tax-free.

In summary, it is therefore most lucrative for landowners and roof owners to opt for a roof lease or a land lease with the current remuneration. 

To secure the lease agreement, a first-ranking easement must be registered for the entire term of the roof space lease.

-> This is because it secures the lease payment agreed in the lease agreement for the owner and the rights of use for the owner of the PV system, regardless of who the current owner of the property is.

In the event of a property sale, you may be able to achieve a higher sale price thanks to the upgraded property. In addition, the new owner of the property benefits from renting out the roof space, as they can expect additional long-term rental income.

If you want to rent out your roof area, it must also be free of shading.

Only in this way can the installed photovoltaic system generate the necessary yields to finance the entire project. Therefore, if there are still trees on your property that could cause shading over the next 40 years, the trees must be felled. This must be done before construction begins.

Things get complicated if you want to rent out your roof and the trees that create shade are located on someone else's property. If this is the case, we must leave the corresponding areas unoccupied.

If you rent out your roof space and we install a photovoltaic system on your roof, no planning permission is required.

Approval must only be obtained for listed buildings and ground-mounted PV systems.

In Germany, there is a ban on building on roofs containing asbestos. We therefore have to renovate the roof surfaces before we can cover them with PV modules.

The fact that no permit is required for roof areas is an advantage compared to a solar investment in open spaces. If you own an open space, you can lease this land for the operation of a solar park.

To ensure the smooth and long-term operation of the photovoltaic system during the roof rental period, we maintain the photovoltaic system in regular cycles of one year.

We check the strength of all modules, the inverters and the technical operation of the photovoltaic system. This is an advantage of roof rental, your roofs are not only additionally protected by the photovoltaic system but also regularly checked.

For the most part, we build photovoltaic systems for our customers.

These are usually individuals who have received a large settlement and have to make a high tax payment to the tax office. 

If you rent out your roof area, you benefit from a high lease payment and the buyer of the solar system benefits from the tax advantages. After 20 years, the solar system has usually paid for itself through the income it generates. Profits can then be generated. You share in these profits if you lease your roof.

We, Solar Direktinvest, remain the point of contact for all matters. We take care of maintenance, administration and insurance for the customer.

The service life of a photovoltaic system is around 50 years. 

A lease term of 40 years is agreed for the roof space rental. A 20-year lease is concluded immediately and the owner of the solar installation receives a two-time extension option of 10 years.

Certain requirements must be met for this term: The photovoltaic system must be installed on new roofs and the buildings must be inspected before you lease the roof area. These must be guaranteed to withstand the entire term of the lease.

Another important prerequisite is that the photovoltaic investment has been installed by a professional solar installer and is free of defects. This also includes the use of premium components and regular maintenance. Only in this way can a photovoltaic system last for a long time and generate regular yields over this period.

Further information can be found at: Service life of a PV system

Many photovoltaic module manufacturers offer a performance guarantee for their modules, which is usually around 25 years.

Photovoltaic modules generally last well over 50 years.

According to studies, the decrease in output of photovoltaic modules is only approx. 0.1% per year. After 40 years, your photovoltaic system will therefore still generate approx. 96% of its initial output.

Click here to go directly to the studies of the Fraunhofer Institute: Fraunhofer Institute.

Click here for the results of a 35-year-old solar system: University of Oldenburg.

Yes, leasing land for a photovoltaic system is also highly interesting in addition to renting out the roof, as many open spaces can no longer be used for arable farming and are free anyway.

These areas are generally designated as conversion areas. A legally guaranteed remuneration is paid for this. The most important requirement for renting out open space is a minimum size of 10,000 square meters.

If you own such land, you will find more information on the subpage Lease land for further interesting information.

There are basically three options after the roof rental period of 40 years:

We dismantle the photovoltaic system and sell it as a dismantling system. Photovoltaic systems of the size we build generate an annual yield of around €10,000 - €50,000. Accordingly, these systems are also offered and sold on the open market without a suitable roof area.

Alternatively, we can alsoextend the lease agreement with you . You can continue to rent out your roof area and benefit from the continuous rental income through revenue sharing.

Another option: you purchase the photovoltaic system. This allows you to continue to benefit from the income from the solar system and keep it in full.