Do you need planning permission to install solar panels on your roof?

An increasing number of people are investing in solar energy. More and more homes are having solar panels, or solar tiles, installed on their roofs. Of course, with such installations, the topic of planning permission and building regulations often comes to the surface.

What is a stand-alone solar PV installation?

For the purposes of planning stand-alone solar PV installations are those that are not physically attached to a building, although they can be wired to provide electricity to a building.

Are there building regulations for solar panels?

There are building regulations for solar panels, as there are for most home improvements. These government regulations are frequently updated to ensure that any alterations made to properties don’t threaten the safety or health of people who live or work in them.

Are there any UK standards relating to a PV installation?

While many UK standards apply in general terms, at the time of writing there is still relatively little which specifically relates to a PV installation. However, there are two documents which specifically relate to the installation of these systems that are of particular relevance:

What is a roof mounted photovoltaic system guidance?

The guidance refers only to the mechanical installation of roof mounted integrated and stand-off photovoltaic systems; it provides best practice guidance on installation requirements and does not constitute fixing instructions.

How high should solar panels be positioned?

In order to facilitate grazing within the solar farm it is advised that solar panels are positioned at least 700mm above ground level and all cabling etc is suitably protected. Figure 4 Sheep and cattle grazing under solar panel arrays.