Smart Solar Design: Maximising Rooftop Potential

Rooftop solar has become one of the smartest ways to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs. Yet for many, it's still seen as just panels bolted to a roof.

At GetSolar, we take a different view.

We believe a well-designed solar system is more than just hardware instead it's a carefully engineered solution that balances performance, safety, and space optimisation.

In this article, we’ll show you how GetSolar's design approach turns rooftops into high-performing energy assets. Whether you're managing a commercial facility, residential property, or institution, we'll explain how we design with purpose—to help you meet your energy goals, maximise every square metre, and stay compliant with Singapore's safety regulations.

Smart Design with Safety & Efficiency in Mind

At GetSolar, every rooftop design is guided by three key principles: functionality, compliance, and maximum energy output. Here’s how we balance performance with safety regulations in Singapore.

Here's what each element represents:

• Dark blue rectangles: Proposed solar panel placements, optimised for sunlight exposure and energy yield.
• Brown lines:  SCDF aisles—clear walkways required by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to ensure safe roof access for emergency responders.
• Red markers: Access points such as CAT ladders, strategically positioned for easy maintenance and inspection.
• Thin green lines: Edge protection with 1-metre high perimeter railings. These allow panels to be installed closer to the edge—reducing the need for a 2.5m setback, without compromising on safety.

By working within these parameters, we design systems that meet local safety codes while maximising usable rooftop space and energy generation.

What a Typical Rooftop Solar System Includes

Every GetSolar system is custom-designed based on your building's size, orientation, and energy needs. But here’s what a typical commercial or residential setup often includes:

• Solar panels sized to match available roof space
• Multiple inverters to convert solar energy into usable electricity
• System capacity ranging from 100 kWp to 500+ kWp
• 30-50% coverage of your building’s energy consumption
• Tens of thousands of kWh generated per month, contributing to long-term energy efficiency
• Significant monthly savings, especially under the upfront purchase model

Each design is carefully engineered to meet local safety and regulatory standards, while maintaining rooftop accessibility for inspections and maintenance. The result? High-performing system that delivers both energy and operational value.

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Take a glance on one of our solar projects and how they entail what a typical rooftop solar system includes!

Visualising Your Energy Profile

To help you understand how solar interacts with your building's energy use, we provide a real-time load profile—broken down in half-hourly intervals.

This is one of the examples for one of our projects, however, do note that the generation per project will be different!

Here's how to read the graph:

• Yellow curve: Solar energy generation from morning to evening, peaking during midday
• Blue and grey lines: Your building’s electricity consumption on weekdays (blue) and weekends (grey)

When the yellow curve rises above the blue or grey lines, your solar system is generating more energy than your building consumes. This surplus energy is automatically exported to the grid under Singapore's net export scheme, creating additional value depending on system size and energy rates.

This data not only helps visualise performance but it supports better energy forecasting, system sizing, and long-term savings planning.

How Good Solar Design Maximises Your ROI

A well-designed solar system doesn't just save space, it drives stronger financial returns.

Here's how:

• Maximised panel placement: More energy generated, more savings
• Accurate performance modelling: Clearer cost forecasts and faster break-even
• Fewer disruptions: Lower maintenance risk and better operational continuity
• Compliance-first layout: Avoids penalties or costly redesigns

By aligning rooftop layout with energy needs and regulatory standards, GetSolar helps businesses maximise value from every square metre, while keeping costs and risks low.

Why This Matters

Solar isn't just about cutting electricity bills, it's about designing smarter systems that power long-term sustainability.

With GetSolar's rooftop design approach, you're capturing energy efficiently, staying compliant, and reducing your carbon footprint—all in one seamless solution.

Curious which solar setup suit your roof? Try our free Solar Panel Calculator to estimate your savings and explore the best-fit options.

Prefer a human touch? Reach out at commercial-sales@getsolar.ai or message us on WhatsApp. We're here to help.