Do Solar Panels Need Planning Permission?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal collectors installed on the roof of a house are usually Permitted Development in England under Schedule 2 Part 14 of the GPDO 2015. The rules apply equally to roof-mounted panels and to ground-mounted systems in the garden.
The key restrictions are projection (no more than 200mm from the roof surface), ridge height (panels must not protrude above the highest point of the roof excluding the chimney), and a removal condition when the panels are no longer needed. Listed buildings are always excepted.
Roof-Mounted Solar Panels - PD Conditions
- Panels do not protrude more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface
- Panels do not protrude above the highest part of the roof (excluding a chimney)
- Panels are not installed on a listed building or within the curtilage of one
- In a conservation area: panels must not be on a roof slope or wall visible from a highway
- Panels are removed when no longer needed for microgeneration
When Full Planning Permission Is Required
- The property is a listed building
- The property is within the curtilage of a listed building
- Conservation area: panels would be visible from a highway
- Panels project more than 200mm from the roof surface
- Panels extend above the ridge of the roof
Conservation Areas - the Visibility Test
Living in a conservation area does not automatically prevent solar panels. The test is whether the panels would be visible from a highway. Panels on a rear roof slope of a terraced or semi-detached house in a conservation area are often not visible from the street and can be PD. Panels on a front roof slope directly facing the road are not PD in a conservation area.
Ground-Mounted Solar Panels
A standalone ground-mounted solar array in the garden falls under Schedule 2 Part 14 Class B. PD conditions include:
- Maximum panel height 4 metres
- Not installed within 5m of the boundary
- Total installed capacity of 1MW or less
- Not forward of the principal elevation
- Not in a conservation area, Site of Special Scientific Interest or other designated area
Building Regulations and DNO Notification
Solar panel installations do not require Building Regulations approval as a building operation, but the electrical connection does. Either use a registered MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installer or have the electrical work certified under Part P by a registered electrician.
You should also notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before installing a grid-connected system, especially for systems over 3.68kW per phase. Your installer should handle this notification.
Structural check: Older roofs and roofs with non-standard rafter spacing may need a structural assessment before installation, particularly for larger arrays. Your installer should assess the roof before fitting.