Do solar panels need planning permission?

 

In many cases, solar panels do not require a full planning application.

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Solar equipment installed on homes and within residential land can often be classed as permitted development, provided the installation complies with the relevant limits and conditions.

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That means many homeowners can install solar panels without applying to their council for conventional planning permission. However, there are important exceptions, particularly for listed buildings, conservation areas, prominent installations and ground-mounted systems.

The guidance on this page relates primarily to the planning system in England.

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Planning for solar panels before installation

 

It is worth establishing the planning position before ordering equipment or agreeing the final installation layout.

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The location of solar panels can affect whether permitted development rights apply.

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A relatively small change to the position or arrangement of the panels can sometimes mean the difference between an installation qualifying as permitted development and requiring a planning application or prior approval.

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Good planning can also help minimise the visual impact of panels and create a more considered installation.

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Solar panels on a pitched roof

 

Solar panels installed on the pitched roof of a typical house will often fall within permitted development rights.

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For domestic installations in England, panels on a pitched roof must generally:

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• not project more than 200mm beyond the roof slope

• not be installed above the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney

• be positioned, where practicable, to minimise their effect on the appearance of the building and surrounding area.

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For a straightforward installation on an ordinary house, this means planning permission will often not be required.

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However, the position changes where the property is listed, is in a protected location or the proposed installation falls outside the permitted development limits.

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Flat roof solar panels planning permission

 

Flat roof solar panel planning permission is a particularly important consideration because panels usually need to be mounted on frames and tilted towards the sun.

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For domestic properties, solar equipment on a flat roof can normally still qualify as permitted development provided the highest part of the equipment does not exceed 600mm above the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney.

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Additional rules apply in designated areas.

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Where solar equipment is proposed on a flat roof on certain protected land, including conservation areas, prior approval from the local planning authority may be required.

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The mounting system therefore needs to be considered as carefully as the panels themselves.

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Solar panels in the garden

 

Sometimes the roof is unsuitable for solar panels.

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It may face the wrong direction, be heavily shaded, have limited available space or simply not offer the best location for generating electricity.

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Homeowners with sufficient land may instead consider installing solar panels in the garden.

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These are normally treated as stand-alone solar installations.

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A domestic stand-alone solar array can potentially qualify as permitted development, but considerably tighter limits apply than for roof-mounted panels.

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Ground-mounted solar panels planning permission

 

For domestic ground-mounted solar panels, permitted development rights currently require a number of conditions to be satisfied.

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The principal limits include:

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• only the first stand-alone solar installation benefiting from these rights

• no part of the installation exceeding 4 metres in height

• the installation being at least 5 metres from the property boundary

• the array being no larger than 9m², or 3 metres wide by 3 metres deep

• additional restrictions applying around listed buildings, scheduled monuments and protected locations.

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If the proposed installation exceeds these limits, a planning application may be required.

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This makes the available garden area particularly important when considering a ground-mounted solar system.

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Where should ground-mounted solar panels be positioned?

 

Planning is only one consideration when deciding where ground-mounted panels should go.

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The panels also need:

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• good exposure to sunlight

• minimal shading

• a suitable orientation

• sufficient separation from buildings, trees and boundaries

• safe access for maintenance

• a position that does not unnecessarily dominate the garden

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A carefully positioned array can deliver good solar performance while keeping its visual impact relatively low.

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For larger rural properties, paddocks and smallholdings, there may be considerably more flexibility.

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Solar panels planning permission in conservation areas

 

A common misconception is that solar panels automatically require planning permission in a conservation area.

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That is not necessarily the case.

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Roof-mounted solar panels can still qualify as permitted development in many conservation areas, although additional restrictions apply.

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For example, solar panels must not normally be fitted to a wall fronting a highway where the property is within a conservation area or World Heritage Site. Flat-roof installations on designated land may also require prior approval.

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The visual effect on the property and the wider conservation area should therefore be considered carefully.

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A discreet rear roof installation may be treated very differently from panels prominently positioned on the principal elevation of a historic property.

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Solar panels on listed buildings

 

Listed buildings need a much more careful approach.

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Permitted development rights for solar equipment are restricted where listed buildings or their curtilage are involved, and Listed Building Consent may also be required where works affect the character or special interest of the building.

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Solar panels are not necessarily impossible on historic buildings, but their location, visibility, fixing method and impact on historic fabric are likely to be important considerations.

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Early advice is particularly worthwhile before purchasing equipment for a listed property.

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Solar panels on agricultural land planning permission

 

Solar panels installed on agricultural land can range from relatively small private installations to extensive commercial solar farms.

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Larger ground-mounted arrays will normally need to be considered through the planning system rather than being treated in the same way as a small domestic garden installation.

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Government planning guidance identifies several important considerations for larger solar schemes on agricultural land, including:

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• landscape and visual impact

• the quality of the agricultural land

• whether poorer-quality land can be used in preference to higher-quality land

• continued agricultural use where appropriate

• biodiversity

• heritage assets

• screening and landscaping

• glint and glare

• the effect on nearby properties and other land uses.

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Solar development on agricultural land is therefore highly site-specific.

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A small installation serving a rural property is very different from a commercial solar farm covering several hectares.

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Solar panels on commercial buildings planning permission

 

Solar panels are becoming increasingly common on offices, warehouses, factories, schools, retail units and other commercial buildings.

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Non-domestic solar installations can also benefit from permitted development rights, subject to specific limits and conditions.

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For panels mounted on a non-domestic pitched roof or wall, they should generally project no more than 200mm beyond the surface.

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For a flat roof, the equipment should generally extend no more than 1 metre above the highest part of the roof, excluding chimneys.

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Roof-mounted equipment must also generally remain at least one metre from the external edge of the roof.

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Larger commercial installations can be subject to prior approval, particularly where the local planning authority needs to consider design, external appearance or potential glare.

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Why commercial solar planning is different

 

A warehouse roof carrying hundreds of solar panels presents different planning considerations from ten panels on a suburban house.

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Commercial schemes may need to consider:

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• visibility from neighbouring properties

• roof height

• glare and reflection

• heritage considerations

• surrounding land uses

• structural loading

• servicing and maintenance access

• associated equipment such as inverters and battery storage

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Planning and technical design therefore need to be considered together.

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What happens if permitted development does not apply?

 

Failing to qualify for permitted development does not necessarily mean solar panels cannot be installed.

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It normally means that an application needs to be made so that the local planning authority can assess the proposal.

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A solar planning application may include information such as:

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• location plans

• existing and proposed roof plans

• elevations

• panel dimensions

• mounting details

• photographs

• design information

• heritage information where relevant

• landscape details for ground-mounted installations

• glint and glare assessments where appropriate

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The level of information required will depend on the scale and location of the proposed installation.

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Can I obtain confirmation that planning permission is not required?

 

Where a proposed domestic installation appears to be permitted development, homeowners may still want formal confirmation before proceeding.

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A Lawful Development Certificate can sometimes be used to establish formally that the proposed development is lawful.

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This can be particularly useful where the planning position is not immediately obvious or where documentary evidence may be useful when the property is sold.

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Planning permission is not the only consideration

 

Even where solar panels do not require planning permission, other requirements may still apply.

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These can include:

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• Building Regulations

• structural suitability of the roof

• electrical safety requirements

• landlord or freeholder consent

• lease restrictions

• listed building consent

• grid connection requirements

• installation and certification standards

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Planning permission should therefore be considered as one part of the overall solar project rather than the only approval that matters.

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Think about solar as part of the whole home

 

Solar panels can work particularly well when considered alongside other green home improvements.

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A homeowner might combine solar PV with:

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• battery storage

• an air source heat pump

• EV charging

• improved insulation

• energy-efficient windows

• smart energy controls

• air conditioning or heat-pump cooling

• improved ventilation

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Looking at these technologies together can help determine the amount of electricity the property may need and how much solar generation would be useful.

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How APN Green Homes can help

 

APN Green Homes helps homeowners consider green improvements as part of an overall plan for their property.

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Where solar panels are being considered, that can include looking at the property, roof or available land, the likely location of the panels and whether planning restrictions need further investigation.

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For more complex properties, this can also mean considering how the solar installation relates to other proposed improvements and any planning, design or technical requirements.

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Planning solar panels? Check before you install

 

For most ordinary homes, installing solar panels can be relatively straightforward.

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But ground-mounted solar panels, flat roof solar panels, conservation area properties, listed buildings, agricultural land and commercial buildings can all require additional planning consideration.

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Checking the position before installation can prevent delays, unnecessary redesign and the risk of installing equipment that later creates a planning problem.

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Considering solar panels for your home or property? APN Green Homes can help you understand your options and establish the right route forward before installation begins.

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NEXT STEPS

Every home is different, so the right next step depends on your property, your budget and what you want to achieve. APN Green Homes can help you turn the information you have just read into a practical plan for your own home. Whether you are considering one improvement or looking at a complete whole-home energy upgrade, we can help you understand what is suitable, what should be prioritised and where your money is likely to make the greatest difference.

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Choose one of the options below to get the ball rolling:

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BOOK A GREEN HOME SURVEY
Get a detailed assessment of your home with practical, property-specific recommendations and a clear plan for the improvements worth considering.

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BOOK A PHONE CONSULTATION
Talk through your property, ideas and priorities with us and get some initial direction on the best way forward.

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EMAIL US
Send us details of your property, photographs or any questions and we can advise you on the most appropriate next step.

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GIVE US A CALL
Prefer to speak to someone? Give us a call and tell us what you are hoping to achieve.

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Your greener, more efficient home starts with understanding the right improvements for your property — and putting them in the right order.