Solar Panels Planning Permission

Benefits of Solar Panels

Solar panels are a great way to use the natural elements of the Earth to create energy. They can be used to collect sunlight and convert it to energy that can be used for electricity.


No matter where you live, home solar panels can be installed by professionals. There are also some Solar Home Kits you can install on your own for less money. You can convert any type of home or business into one that uses solar energy in order to create electricity.

Even if you don’t collect enough sunlight to provide all your electricity, you can collect enough of it to significantly reduce what you do use. This is one way we can all help the environment and save money in the long term.

Before you buy solar panels, you'll need to do your homework. Find out what all of the benefits to you are going to be. In addition to helping the environment when you install home solar panels, you'll be saving money on electricity as well.

If you are worried about the cost, find out if there is a tax incentive in your area. There should be a rebate or discounted cost offered by the government to entice people to put solar panels in place. Many construction companies are being able to take advantage of them as well. As long as the new homes they build feature solar panels, they can get some great tax breaks.

Planning Permission for Solar Panels

In many cases fixing solar panels to your roof is likely to be considered 'permitted development' under planning law with no need to apply for planning permission. There are, however, important exceptions and regulations which must be observed.

If you are a leaseholder, you may need to get permission from your landlord, freeholder or management company.

All solar installations are subject to the following conditions:

Panels on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the appearance of the building.

They should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.

When no longer needed for microgeneration they should be removed as soon as possible.

Roof and Wall Mounted Solar Panels

 
The following limits apply to roof and wall mounted solar panels:

Panels should not be installed above the ridgeline and should project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface.

If your property is a listed building installation is likely to require an application for listed building consent, even where planning permission is not needed.

Wall mounted only - if your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, planning consent is required when panels are to be fitted on the principal or side elevation walls and they are visible from the highway.

If panels are to be fitted to a building in your garden or grounds they should not be visible from the highway.

Standalone Solar Panels

The following limits apply to standalone solar panels:

Should be no higher than four metres

Should be at least 5m from boundaries

Size of array is limited to 9 sq m or 3m wide and 3m deep

Should not be installed within boundary of a listed building

In the case of land in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site it should not be visible from the highway.

Only one stand alone solar installation is permitted.

If you would like to discuss a planning matter with one of our expert consultants, please call Drawing and Planning on 0208 202 3665