Can neighbours object to solar panels?  

A guide to planning permission and rules in the UK 

So long as you follow permitted development rules or have planning permission, your neighbours cannot object to you installing solar panels. They can of course raise concerns but in the eyes of the law, there is no basis for a legal objection.  

To give you a clear idea of what rules and regulations you need to follow, we look at when planning permission does and doesn’t apply, and whether or not solar panels are subject to buildings regs.   

What is permitted development? 

You can carry out certain types of building work on your home without planning permission – this type of work is known as ‘permitted development’.  

The good news is that for many homeowners, solar panel installations fall under permitted development rights, so you won’t need permission to put them on your roof. That said, there are still rules that you must follow.  

In some cases, depending on where you live and the type of home you have, permitted development rights don’t apply. Instead, you’ll need permission from your local planning authority (this is usually your local council) before installing solar panels.  

What rules are there for installing solar panels? 

To be considered permitted development, your solar panel installation needs to meet certain conditions, for example: 

• • Equipment should not affect the overall appearance of your property (as far as that’s possible). 

• • Solar panels on pitched roofs should not be installed above the highest point of the roof (excluding the chimney).  

• • On a flat roof, solar panels cannot be more than 600mm higher than the highest point (excluding the chimney).  

• • Solar panels should not stick out more than 200mm from the slope of the roof or the surface of the wall.  

Bear in mind that if you’re a leaseholder, you’ll need permission for solar panels from your landlord or the freeholder.  

When do I need planning permission for solar panels? 

Permitted development rights don’t apply to all buildings and it’s highly likely you’ll need planning permission from your council if your home is: 

• • A listed building. 

• • In a conservation area. 

• • In an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).  

You should also know that solar panels cannot be added to buildings that are within the grounds of a listed building. If you do live in a conservation area (or a World Heritage Site), you won’t be able to attach solar panels to a wall that faces a highway either.  

Do I need planning permission for standalone solar panels? 

You’ll need planning permission if your property is listed, is in an AONB or is a World Heritage Site (you’ll also need to follow any rules outlined by your local planning office).  

If you don’t need planning permission, your first standalone solar installation is allowed under permitted development rights. However, if you want to add any further standalone panels, you’ll need to get permission from your local council. 

You’ll also need to follow certain rules and your standalone panels must: 

• • Not be any higher than 4m. 

• • Not be more than 9m², 3m deep or 3m wide. 

• • Be at least 5m away from the boundary of the property. 

Do solar panels need building regs approval? 

Yes, building regulations do apply to solar panel installations and your installation must be structurally and electrically safe. The most effective way for you to ensure that happens is to use an MCS-certified installer.  

MCS stands for microgeneration certification scheme. It’s a quality assurance initiative that ensures the products used are effective and of good quality. Firms that sign up to the scheme must also work to industry standards, focusing on safety and compliance.  

MCS-certified installers will also be able to issue you with an MCS certificate which can help unlock certain financial incentives. This includes the smart export guarantee (SEG) which pays you for each unit of electricity you export to the National Grid.  

What is DNO notification, and does it apply to me? 

DNO stands for distribution network operator – these organisations are responsible for distributing electricity from the National Grid to homes and businesses. There are six operators in the UK managing 14 different regions.  

When you install solar panels that are connected to the National Grid, you’ll need to tell your regional DNO. If you have a smaller system (up to 3.7kW) you can do this within 28 days of it being installed and connected. If your system is bigger, you’ll need permission from your DNO before you connect to the grid (so that your DNO can check it can cope with the extra load).  

Any MCS-certified installer will be able to manage this for you so although it’s something to be aware of, it’s not necessarily something you need to do yourself.  

What is the 120 rule? 

If you’re considering solar panels, you may stumble across the term “120% rule”. The rule only applies to installations in the United States and calculates how much power can be fed into homes. It’s not something you need to worry about in the UK.  

Can my neighbours object to solar panels? 

Legally, there are no grounds for neighbours to object to solar panels – as long as your installation falls within permitted development rights or if you’ve been given planning permission. Just remember to follow any conditions set by your local planning authority (which is typically your council’s planning department).  

As with other types of potentially disruptive building work, you can avoid problems by letting your neighbours know your plans beforehand. This gives them the chance to ask any questions or share any worries. 

For a quote or to find out more about solar panels and how they can help you save money on your electricity bills, call a friendly member of the team on 01953 882 787. We’re available Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm, or you can drop us an email at info@spartek.co.uk.