This guide explains the main things to consider when planning for solar panels in England.

​

​

Do Solar Panels Need Planning Permission?

 

For a typical house, the answer is often no.

​

Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal equipment installed on a house, block of flats or certain buildings within their grounds can qualify as permitted development, provided the installation remains within the relevant limits and conditions.

​

The principle behind the rules is that solar equipment should be positioned, as far as reasonably practical, to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the surrounding area. Equipment should also be removed when it is no longer required.

​

This means that a conventional array fitted neatly against the roof of an ordinary house will frequently be considerably simpler from a planning perspective than a large, prominent or freestanding installation.

​

However, permitted development should never simply be assumed. The type of property, roof design, location and proposed solar installation all need to be considered.

​

​

Planning Permission for Solar Panels on a Pitched Roof

 

Most domestic solar installations are fitted to pitched roofs.

​

For the installation to fall within the normal permitted development limits in England, solar panels on a pitched roof should:

​

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

• Project no more than 200mm from the roof slope or wall surface.

• Be positioned, so far as practical, to minimise their effect on the appearance of the building and surrounding area.

​

Modern solar mounting systems are normally designed to keep panels relatively close to the roof surface, which means that many straightforward domestic installations can satisfy these requirements.

​

More unusual installations may need closer investigation, particularly where panels project substantially from the roof or form part of an architectural structure rather than simply following the roof pitch.

​

​

Solar Panels Flat Roof Planning Permission

 

Flat roofs require slightly different consideration because solar panels are normally mounted on angled frames rather than following the roof surface.

​

For domestic installations, the highest part of solar PV equipment installed on a flat roof should not extend more than 600mm above the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney.

​

There is an additional consideration for a flat-roof installation on Article 2(3) land. In these locations, prior approval from the local planning authority may be required. The designated areas covered by the rules include conservation areas, National Parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites.

​

So when considering solar panels flat roof planning permission, the height of the mounting system and the property's location are particularly important.

​

A low-profile mounting arrangement may therefore have planning advantages as well as reducing the visual prominence of the installation.

​

​

Solar Panels Planning Permission in Conservation Areas

 

Living in a conservation area does not automatically mean that solar panels require a full planning application.

​

Roof-mounted solar panels can still benefit from permitted development rights where the relevant conditions are satisfied. However, additional restrictions apply in sensitive locations. In a conservation area or World Heritage Site, permitted development does not allow panels to be fitted to a wall which fronts a highway. Flat-roof installations on Article 2(3) land can also trigger a prior-approval requirement.

​

The design of an installation is particularly important in a conservation area. Panel position, visibility from the street, the roof form and the architectural character of the property can all influence the most appropriate solution.

​

Where there is any doubt, it is sensible to establish the planning position before ordering the system.

​

​

What About Listed Buildings?

 

Listed buildings require considerably greater care.

​

The normal permitted development provisions exclude solar equipment installed on a building within the grounds of a listed building, and works affecting a listed building may require Listed Building Consent as well as any planning permission that applies.

​

That does not necessarily mean solar panels cannot be installed on historic properties. It does mean that the significance and character of the building will normally need to be considered carefully.

​

Some local authorities have also introduced specific Local Listed Building Consent Orders covering certain energy-efficiency improvements, so the position can vary locally.

​

For a listed building, therefore, it is particularly important to establish the required consents before work begins.

​

​

Ground Mounted Solar Panels Planning Permission

 

Solar panels do not necessarily have to be installed on a building. Where roof orientation, shading or roof condition makes a roof-mounted system unsuitable, a ground-mounted solar array can be considered.

​

Domestic stand-alone solar installations can qualify as permitted development, but there are considerably more dimensional restrictions.

​

Under the current rules, the first stand-alone installation may qualify provided, among other requirements:

​

• No part is higher than 4 metres.

• The installation is at least 5 metres from the property boundary.

• The array is no larger than 9m², or 3 metres wide by 3 metres deep.

• It is not within the boundary of a listed building or scheduled monument.

​

Further stand-alone installations require planning permission.

​

These restrictions mean that ground mounted solar panels planning permission becomes an important consideration for larger domestic systems.

​

​

Solar Panels in Garden Planning Permission

 

A small solar array positioned within a large garden may fall within the stand-alone permitted development rules.

​

However, a garden does not provide unlimited freedom to install panels.

​

The 9m² size limit, maximum height and 5 metre boundary distance can make a significant difference to what can be installed without a planning application.

​

In conservation areas, additional requirements can apply where a stand-alone installation is closer to the highway than the nearest part of the house or flats. Prior approval may then be required and additional height restrictions apply.

​

For larger gardens and properties with significant land, it can therefore be worth comparing a ground-mounted installation with panels installed on the house, garage or another suitable building.

​

​

Solar Panels on Agricultural Land Planning Permission

 

Installing solar panels on agricultural land is different from putting a small domestic array in the garden of a house.

​

The domestic ground-mounted permitted development allowances relate to relatively small installations within the grounds of residential property. The permitted development limit for a domestic stand-alone array is only 9m².

​

A substantial solar array across agricultural land therefore needs to be considered as a separate planning project rather than assuming the domestic solar-panel rules apply.

​

Issues such as the scale of the development, landscape impact, access, land use, ecology, drainage, grid connection and the relationship with neighbouring properties can become relevant to larger schemes.

​

If you are considering solar panels on agricultural land, establish the planning requirements at the feasibility stage before committing significant expenditure to system design or grid infrastructure.

​

​

Solar Panels on Commercial Buildings Planning Permission

 

There are separate permitted development provisions covering solar panels on commercial buildings.

​

Solar installations on businesses and community buildings may be permitted development where the relevant limits and conditions are met.

​

For solar panels attached to a non-domestic building:

​

• Panels on a pitched roof or wall should project no more than 200mm from the surface.

• On a flat roof, solar equipment should not extend more than 1 metre above the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney.

• Roof-mounted equipment must generally remain at least 1 metre from the external edge of the roof.

• Panels cannot use these rights on a listed building, a building within the grounds of a listed building or a scheduled monument.

​

Certain larger non-domestic roof-mounted solar installations can also require prior approval, allowing the local planning authority to consider matters including design, appearance and potential glare.

​

So although many commercial solar systems can be installed without full planning permission, larger commercial schemes should always have their planning position checked at an early stage.

​

​

When Is Planning Permission for Solar Panels More Likely to Be Required?

 

A planning application or another form of consent becomes more likely where the proposed installation falls outside the permitted development limits.

​

This might include situations where:

​

• Panels project too far from a roof.

• Panels extend above the permitted height on a flat roof.

• A ground-mounted installation is larger than the permitted dimensions.

• More than one stand-alone solar installation is proposed.

• The property is listed or lies within the grounds of a listed building.

• The development affects a scheduled monument.

• Specific restrictions apply because of the property's location.

• A commercial solar development falls within a category requiring prior approval.

​

Local planning restrictions can also affect whether permitted development rights are available, so national guidance should be considered alongside the circumstances of the individual property. The Planning Portal itself recommends checking with the local planning authority where there is uncertainty.

​

​

Planning for Solar Panels Before You Get Quotes

 

Planning should ideally begin before choosing the final panel layout.

​

A solar installer will normally consider roof orientation, available area, shading and expected energy generation. However, the layout should also take account of the planning constraints affecting the building.

​

For example, altering a panel arrangement slightly may allow an installation to remain below the permitted height of a flat roof or reduce its visual impact within a sensitive location.

​

For ground-mounted systems, the position of boundaries can fundamentally affect whether the installation falls within permitted development.

​

Understanding these issues early can prevent a technically suitable solar design from becoming unnecessarily difficult from a planning perspective.

​

​

Roof-Mounted or Ground-Mounted Solar?

 

For most homes, roof-mounted panels remain the simplest option because they make use of an existing structure and normally require little additional land.

​

Ground-mounted panels can nevertheless be useful where:

​

• The main roof is heavily shaded.

• Roof orientation is poor.

• There is insufficient usable roof area.

• A property has extensive grounds.

• The optimum solar orientation cannot be achieved on the existing building.

​

Planning restrictions on ground-mounted systems are tighter in several respects, however, so the available garden or land needs to be considered carefully.

​

​

Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels? The Short Answer

 

Usually not for a straightforward domestic roof installation in England — but there are exceptions.

​

A conventional solar array fitted closely to the pitched roof of an ordinary house will often qualify as permitted development. Flat roofs, conservation areas, listed buildings, large ground-mounted arrays and commercial systems require additional consideration.

​

The important point is to establish the planning position before installation, rather than discovering afterwards that the panels needed consent.

​

And remember that planning rules are not identical throughout the UK. The guidance covered here relates primarily to England; the Planning Portal specifically notes that the position in Wales can differ, while Scotland and Northern Ireland operate under their own planning systems.

​

​

Planning Permission for Solar Panels – FAQs

 

Do I need planning permission for solar panels on my house?

In many cases, no. Roof-mounted solar panels on homes in England can qualify as permitted development provided the relevant limits and conditions are satisfied.

​

Do I need planning permission for solar panels on a flat roof?

Not necessarily. Domestic flat-roof solar installations can be permitted development where the equipment remains within the relevant limits, including the 600mm maximum height above the highest part of the roof. Prior approval can be required for flat-roof installations on Article 2(3) land.

​

Can I install solar panels in a conservation area?

Potentially, yes. Being in a conservation area does not automatically prevent permitted development, although additional restrictions apply and the visual impact of the installation needs careful consideration.

​

Do ground-mounted solar panels need planning permission?

Small domestic installations may fall under permitted development, subject to strict size, height, boundary and location requirements. Larger arrays are more likely to require planning permission.

​

Can I install solar panels in my garden?

Yes, but the normal domestic permitted development allowance for a stand-alone array is limited to the first installation, up to 9m² and subject to height, boundary and other restrictions.

​

Do commercial solar panels require planning permission?

Not always. Solar panels on non-domestic buildings can benefit from permitted development rights, although different limits apply and some installations require prior approval.

​

Are solar panels allowed on listed buildings?

Solar installations affecting listed buildings need specialist consideration and may require planning permission and Listed Building Consent. Do not assume normal domestic permitted development rights apply.

​

​

Considering Solar Panels for Your Property?

 

Whether you are looking at solar panels for a house, flat roof, commercial building or land, it pays to understand both the solar potential of the property and the planning requirements before committing to an installation.

​

APN Solar can help you explore your options, understand the type of system that may suit your property and connect you with experienced solar installers operating in your area.

​

​