Do you need planning permission for solar panels in the UK?
Do you need council approval or planning permission to get a solar system on your residential home?
Do I need permission to install solar panels UK?
Usually, you do not need planning permission to install solar panels in the UK as they are considered permitted development.
However, you may need planning permission in rare cases.
Read on to find out more.
When seeking building permits for solar panels, the potential impact on the exterior of a property must be carefully considered.
In most cases, the installation of solar panels falls under the law of "permitted development," which means that a building permit application may not be required, provided certain criteria are met.
To ensure a smooth process, it is important to stick to guidelines, such as ensuring that panels do not protrude more than 200mm above the roof surface.
However, if your property is located in a conservation area, near a listed building, or is subject to certain planning restrictions, approval may be required even if the project meets the height criteria.
When thinking about putting up solar panels, consider how they might change how your home looks from the outside. Usually, you can add standalone solar panels that stick out no more than 200mm without needing special permission. But it's smart to check with local rules and get advice to make sure you're following the right procedures while going green with your energy.
Whether you want to install a solar system on a residential or commercial building, knowing the building permit rules in your area is critical to a successful and compliant installation that works with the exterior character of the property.
Planning Permission Solar Panels Key Facts:
Here are the key points regarding the need for planning permission for solar panels in the UK:
General Exemption: Solar panel installations on residential properties generally do not require planning permission.
External Appearance: The impact on the external appearance of the building, especially when facing a highway or within a conservation area, is a significant consideration.
Amenity of the Area: The local planning authority assesses whether the solar panels affect the overall amenity of the area.
Building and Amenity: Balancing the installation's effect on the building's architectural harmony and the amenity of the area is crucial.
Roof Slope: Whilst you may not need planning permission, you should still check that your roof slope and angle are suitable for solar panels. Roofs that are too steep may be a safety hazard.
Listed Buildings and World Heritage Sites: Properties that are listed may require listed building consent for solar panel installation.
Building Regulations: While planning permission might not be needed, you will still need to follow building regulations for health and safety, for example, the correct construction of scaffolding to safely put a system in plance.
Local Planning Authority: The local planning authority oversees and evaluates compliance with relevant regulations. Remember to always check with your local planning authority for accurate information where you live.
Renewable Energy Benefits: Striking a balance between renewable energy advantages and preserving the building and area's character guides decision-making.
What are permitted development rights in the context of solar panel installations?
The good news is for the majority of homeowners installing a standard small to moderate sized solar system, solar panel installations are considered 'permitted development' and do not require planning permission.
Permitted development rights are a set of rules that allow certain types of development to be carried out without the need for planning permission. These rights are set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, which is also known as the GPDO.
What conditions must be met for solar panels to be considered as part of permitted development?
Your solar system won’t need planning permission if it checks all of the items on this list:
The panels don’t protrude more than 20cm from the roof or wall surface.
The panels aren’t going to be installed on a listed building or a building located within a conservation area.
The panels should not exceed the highest part of the roof, excluding chimneys.
How does the size of solar panels relate to the need for planning permission?
Permitted development usually covers a small to large sized system (6 - 20 panels.) If you are considering installing an extra large system, you might want to check with your local council.
Ground mounted systems do not need permitted development as long as they are less than 12 square meters in total.
Height of ground mounted systems should not exceed 4m high.
Certain placement of your solar panels may affect the need for planning permission. If your panels face a highway, you may need to apply for planning permission.
What are the restrictions and considerations for installing solar panels on listed buildings and in conservation areas?
Restrictions on solar panels for listed buildings have eased in recent years.
Before, you couldn’t install solar panels on any listed or historical building. You can now install solar panels on some of these buildings in 2023.
Check with your local council if you are looking at getting solar panels and you live in an area of special architectural or historical interest.
Why is it important to inform the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) about a new solar installation?
You must let the DNO know that you have a new solar installation.
This will not affect your planning permission, however there is cap on the maximum size of home solar installation you can fit whilst still receiving permission from the DNO.
What is the cap on the maximum size of installation that requires DNO permission?
Any system larger than 3.68kW must go through G59 notification before installation work commences, and the DNO must grant permission for these larger systems to be installed.
How does the type of solar panels (solar photovoltaic vs. solar thermal) impact the need for planning permission when installing them?
The type of solar panels that you intend to install can impact whether or not you need planning permission. Solar panels can be classified into two primary types: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal panels. Solar PV panels produce electricity from sunlight, while solar thermal panels use sunlight to heat water. Solar PV panels are more commonly used and can be installed on rooftops or ground-mounted.
As previously mentioned, solar PV panels are frequently regarded as "permitted development" and do not necessitate planning permission. However, if you plan to install a large ground-mounted solar PV system, planning permission may be necessary. Solar thermal panels are usually installed on rooftops and used to heat water for domestic purposes. These panels are also frequently considered "permitted development" and do not require planning permission as long as they satisfy the conditions specified in the GPDO.