Solar panel legislation: Do you need planning permission?

If you’re considering installing solar panels on your property in the UK, one of the questions that may be on your mind is whether or not you need planning permission. 

The good news is that in most cases, you won’t need to go through the process of obtaining planning permission for solar panel installation. However, there are some exceptions and guidelines that you should be aware of.

With the rising costs of energy and the increasing concern for the environment, many homeowners are turning to solar power as a sustainable and cost-effective solution.

In this blog post, we will provide a helpful guide to navigating the UK’s solar panel legislation and determining whether or not you need planning permission.

Do you need planning permission to install a solar PV system?

Planning permission is often not required for the installation of solar panels and solar PV systems in England and Wales since they are considered “permitted developments.” This means there is no need to apply to the council for planning permission.

That said, there are some exceptions, so it’s advisable to get advice from the local planning office. Additional limitations may apply if you reside in a listed building, conservation region, or national park. At Advanced Eco, we install solar panels Cambridge residents love and ensure all legal requirements are met. 

For your solar PV system to be legal, it must meet the following requirements:

• Solar panels should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney)
• In order to reduce the visual impact on the building’s exterior, panels should be installed so far as is practicable.
• Panels should protrude no more than 20 cm from the surface that they are installed on
• Solar panels should not be installed on a property located within the grounds of a listed building

Ensuring each of these requirements is met should more often than not mean you don’t need to seek permission to install a solar PV system on your property. 

What are the Solar panel building regulations?

It is legally required for many home renovations, including solar panel installations, to pass standard building regulations. 

The two most important areas are a building’s structural safety and electrical safety. The added weight of rooftop solar panels must be supported by your roof, and the system’s electrical components must be secure. Additionally, standard health and safety procedures must be followed.

 

Your solar panel installer should be a member of a CPS for microgeneration technology and should be MCS certified. You will be given certificates showing the system complies with the building regulations when it has been put into commission.

Advanced Eco are approved installers

Established in 2018, we have quickly become one of the largest installers of renewables and solar products across East Anglia. As solar panels installers in East Anglia providing solar panels Suffolk residents recommend, we work closely with some of the industry’s leading funding providers and material manufacturers to ensure that we deliver high-quality installations using the best products available in the market. 

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