Do You Need Planning Permission For Solar Panels? Not Really!

At Advanced Eco, we are a solar energy company with a great experience in the installation of domestic solar panels across the UK. Our solar panels in Suffolk are particularly popular, where electricity prices continue to burden many residents, but our Suffolk-based clients always have an important question on their lips – do they need proper planning permission for solar panels? Thankfully, the short answer is no, not really! But, why? We explain all in this article, below. 

General Permitted Development Rights

For most properties, solar panels are considered a “permitted development” in the UK. This means that no planning permission is required! These exceptions are made as part of the government’s efforts to encourage residents to use renewable energies, rather than the more traditional gas and oil. 

However, certain conditions must be met for your solar panels to qualify as a “permitted development,” which is why planning permission is only ‘not really’ required! To begin with, your panels must:

1. Not be installed above the highest part of the roof

It is specified in the UK’s building regulations that solar panels should be installed in a way that minimises the effect on the external appearance of your home. That is to say, it shouldn’t look unattractive or obtrusive. To this end, they shouldn’t be installed above the highest part of your roofing or protrude more than 200mm beyond the plane of the wall or roof slope when measured perpendicular to the external surface.  

2. Should not be higher than 4 metres if ground-mounted

For ground-mounted solar panels – of which there are many across the UK, particularly in the countryside areas that dominate East Anglia – they should not be higher than 4 metres. Any higher, and your panels may obstruct local views. They should also be more than 5 metres from your home’s boundary for safety reasons. Oftentimes, homeowners that purchase solar panels also forget about their square metre restrictions. They should not cover more than 9 square metres of the ground surrounding your home. 

If you’re searching “solar panel installers near me” on Google and you live in East Anglia, our solar panel installers in East Anglia should be your go to choice.

In Special Cases…

There are some special cases that completely disqualify solar panel installation from being a “permitted development.” In these special cases, planning permission is always required. As an important example, listed buildings generally require planning permission for any alteration, as maintaining their original character is paramount. The same reason applies to conservation areas, where strict regulations as to the protection of wild flora and fauna may also prevent solar panel installation. 

Interestingly, flats and apartments also count as a ‘special case’ that requires planning permission from your local authority. You cannot simply install solar panels on a block of flats, because it’s a shared property! Solar panels will therefore have an impact on multiple residents, and some may oppose their installation for aesthetic reasons. 

Contact us for solar panels in Suffolk and surrounding areas

It’s always important to consult with your local council and a skilled professional like the team at Advanced Eco before investing in solar panels for your own home. Nevertheless, for solar panels in Suffolk that you can depend on to be compliant to all building regulations, with excellent function around the clock, contact Advanced Eco for more information at your earliest convenience.

Other blogs