Do you need planning permission for solar panels?

Do you need planning permission for solar panels in the UK?

If you have ever thought about getting solar panels installed in your property, then you may have already wondered by now whether planning permission is needed from your local authority before any work can begin. The short answer to this (and the good news for homeowners in the United Kingdom) is that no formal planning permission is typically required for most standard domestic solar installations.

Better still, the general rules surrounding planning permission for solar in the UK are actually much easier to understand than one might initially expect. However, if you live in a flat, listed building, or a conservation area, then you will likely find that there are a few strict conditions you should know about.

Furthermore, to then go ahead and actually connect your newly installed solar panel system to the network (the electricity grid), it’s also best to distinguish between approval and planning permission, which are completely different requirements, and just because you have met one doesn’t automatically mean that you have met the other.

With that said, let’s now dive straight in and take a closer look at some of the most important things that everyone should be aware of before arranging a solar installation.

The general rule: permitted development

In England, most solar panels that are fitted to roofs typically come under the permitted development rights, meaning that provided the installation meets the relevant conditions, you won’t need to bother about submitting a planning application to your local council before or after installing them.

These rules were designed to ensure that the process of making common home improvements is smoother and more straightforward than ever. In other words, there’s no lengthy or annoying planning process to worry about for the vast majority of solar panel installations.

However, the term ‘permitted development’ doesn’t suggest that you can have solar panels installed in any position on your roof or at any height. There are still some standard rules in place, which you must comply with, such as how far your panels can actually protrude from the roof, and how high above the roof they can sit.

You will also find one or two other exceptions for specific properties and locations, which is why homeowners should always take the time to check the rules for their local area before arranging any work on their property.

A company like Spartek – a renowned solar panel installation specialist- can always help you establish exactly which requirements apply to your home, which also helps to identify any potential issues before your project can get off the ground.

What are the size limits for permitted development?

The Planning Portal highlights the specific conditions that generally apply to solar panels installed on domestic properties in England. The key measurement requirements reveal exactly how far the panels may project from your roof and their position relative to the building.  

How far can solar panels stick out from the roof?

• Protrusion: Under the current relevant permitted development rules in England in 2026, solar panels are not allowed to stick out more than 200mm from the roof slope

This measure is considered more important than any others. The mounting equipment and the panels that sit on them must be positioned so that the installation fully complies with the applicable projection limit.

Instead of simply being able to rely on permitted development rights, you may need to get special permission, especially if your panels and/or mounting equipment extend too far from the roof.

A well-designed system from a professional company will take into account the shape of the property’s roof, the mounting system and position of the panels before they start any actual work on your project. Let’s now take a quick look at how high solar panels can sit on a pitched roof.

• Height (pitched roof):

When it comes to a typical pitched roof, you mustn’t let panels project above your roof’s highest part (not including the chimney, obviously). This all falls under the relevant permitted development conditions.

Practically speaking, instead of sitting above your roof’s highest point, solar panels must follow the roof’s slope to reduce the visual impact of your system and help ensure it all remains within the permitted limits allowed in your local area.

What about solar panels on a flat roof?

• Height (flat roof)

When it comes to flat roofs, requirements are slightly different. The reason for this is that to ensure the solar panels generate the maximum output for you, they typically need to be angled more towards the direction of the sun.

As it stands in England today, flat roof solar panels generally must remain within the applicable 0.6-metre height limit above the surface of the roof. You will also likely find one or two other conditions that are applicable, such as specific requirements to the highest part of the roof and how the equipment is actually positioned.

Flat-roof installations are sometimes considered slightly more complicated projects, so instead of just assuming that the same measurements apply to all solar installations, the best course of action for homeowners is to check the actual local rules for your specific building.

To sum up, it’s crucially important to remember that the measurements relate to specific permitted development conditions. They shouldn’t be viewed as a universal guarantee that every installation that falls below the limits will automatically be permitted. Other considerations that can also impact this include various other applicable restrictions, the property’s location, and designation.

Exceptions: when do you need to apply for planning permission?

While it may be true that UK homeowners can generally install solar panels without having to obtain planning permission, additional restrictions, as mentioned, may apply to some properties. In situations like this, before you can begin installing your solar panels, a specific form of consent or special planning permission may need to be obtained.

Listed buildings and conservation areas

If you’re trying to have solar panels installed on a listed building that you own, listed building consent must normally be obtained because solar panels can affect the building’s character. It all depends on the rules that apply in cases like this, and the proposed installation.

Special considerations are also made for properties in conservation areas. Although they aren’t automatically prohibited, you will often find that some restrictions apply, especially if the solar panels may need to be installed on a highway-facing roof slope or on a wall.

Some other local planning restrictions and protected designations can also have an impact on what solar projects you may or may not be able to undertake.

If a property that you own checks the boxes for one or more of these categories, always reach out to your local planning authority what options you actually have available to you before starting any work. You can also find out more information in our listed buildings and conservation areas guide.

Flats and apartments

You also don’t necessarily have to rule out solar panels just because you live in a flat. However, compared to how easy it usually is to get your solar project off the ground on a typical house, for flats, the process can sometimes be slightly more complicated.

For example, ownership of the roof might not belong to you, even if you own your flat on a leasehold basis. In a situation like this, it’s always best to determine who is actually responsible for the roof and whether that management company or freeholder will let you go ahead with the project.

Ownership and consent are two entirely different matters. You may still need approval and permission under your lease from the freeholder. Even if an installation is permitted under planning rules.

Some of the other things that can also impact whether or not the installation is practical include things like communal areas, the building’s electrical arrangements and shared roofs.

Properties affected by an Article 4 direction

A local council can introduce an Article 4 direction to remove specified permitted development rights in a particular area or for particular properties.

Let’s just say that an Article 4 direction specifically applies to your home and covers the proposed work; it means that you will most likely have to apply for planning permission even though a similar installation elsewhere might not require it. You can check with your local planning authority to find out whether an Article 4 direction affects your property and what restrictions it covers.

Other restrictions to check

Depending on designation and where exactly your property is located in the UK, you will find that planning restrictions won’t always be the same. For instance, if your property is an unusual one, not a typical one, or if you live in a protected area or aren’t quite sure about the local rules that apply to solar panel installations, the safest thing to do is to confirm your actual position before going ahead with the work.

A useful starting point for homeowners residing in England is the official Planning Portal guide, but when it comes to Scotland and Wales, different planning guidance applies, so if you live in either of these two countries, remember to check the rules that apply to where you live.

Do you need your neighbour’s permission to install solar panels?

Let’s start by taking a quick look at the law.

• The law

The majority of the time, you won’t need to obtain permission from your neighbours just because they will be able to see your panels from their property, especially if you have already checked and confirmed that your solar project already has the necessary planning permission and it is in compliance with local permitted development rights.

In some situations, neighbours may raise concerns about how their view will change, or they may flat out dislike how your panels look, but these natural objections do not mean that they have the automatic right to prevent you from lawfully having them installed.

With that in mind, there are still some important things that mustn’t be overlooked.

What if your neighbour objects?

If everything checks out lawfully and your planned project falls within permitted development rights, objections from your neighbours about how the panels will look, by itself, doesn’t mean that the work being done on your solar panels must stop or that you must seek special planning permission. To find out more about potential scenarios that relate to disputes arising, take a look at our guide to whether neighbours can object.

If, however, your solar project doesn’t align with local guidelines or comply with planning rules, involves a legal right that belongs to someone else, or it will impact a protected/listed building, then the position on this is likely to be different.

Before any work starts, it’s always worth reaching out to your neighbours and discussing the work that you plan on having done, especially if you think that they might raise concerns. You can put them at ease about where the panels will be mounted, and the process from start to finish that’s actually required to have them installed in your property.

This can help reduce the likelihood of any disagreements popping up between you and your neighbours.

• The exception

What if the panels are near a shared boundary or party wall?

Just because your neighbour’s property is in close proximity to your house, you generally won’t need to obtain a Party Wall Agreement just to have solar panels installed on your own roof.

However, if the work has (or is expected to) affect a shared wall, requires work covered by the Party Wall Act 1996, or involves some kind of party structure, then you may need to follow the relevant procedures. It all depends on the properties/arrangements and the type of work involved.

You should also ensure that your installers don’t go onto your neighbours’ land without prior permission, and that they have safe access to your roof.

It’s always important to check the relevant rules if your installation involves shared structures or boundaries because planning permission, party wall requirements and ownership rights are separate issues, and it’s worth mentioning again that restrictions may also apply to listed buildings and conservation areas.

Planning permission vs. grid permission (DNO)

One of the most common things that people misunderstand about solar panels is the two main separate processes that apply, which in this case means the difference between the approval required to connect a solar system to the grid (the electricity network) and council planning permission.

Grid approval concerns the necessary process for connecting to the networks, whereas planning permission relates to whether a homeowner is actually allowed to carry out the development. You may find that you must meet the requirements of one even when the other doesn’t apply.

What is DNO permission?

Your local ‘DNO’ (Distribution Network Operator) is the organisation responsible for your local area’s grid, or electricity distribution network. After having solar panels properly installed, your new system might be able to export surplus electricity to the grid. The DNO needs to ensure that the network can safely accommodate the connection.

When it comes to smaller domestic systems, the company that you choose to install them for you may be able to use the relevant notification or connection procedure. In contrast, prior approval may be required for much larger systems, or ones that don’t meet the criteria for the simpler process.

How many solar panels can you have without permission?

There currently isn’t one fixed universal planning rule that sets a maximum limit on the number of solar panels a home can have. Planning requirements depend on the applicable permitted development conditions, the installation’s dimensions and the building itself.

The grid does still have its own limits, though.

For example, subject to the relevant requirements, systems with an inverter capacity of up to 3.68kW or a typical single-phase domestic connection may qualify for the G98 notification procedure. Before hooking up to the main grid, systems with capacities exceeding this threshold tend to need approval from the DNO through the G99 process.

A domestic array of around 10–12 modern panels is typically associated with a 3.68kW inverter, although this is simply a rough guide. Key factors that all have an impact on these figures include the system’s design, the expected output of the panels, the property’s electrical supply, and inverter sizing.

It also doesn’t automatically mean that you will need planning permission just because you have opted for a large array of solar panels. Likewise, just because your project falls within permitted development limits, it won’t remove the need to comply with the electricity network’s connection requirements.

Can you install solar panels yourself?

Yes, while it is actually possible to buy solar equipment and carry out some of the installation work yourself, connecting that newly installed system to your local grid and your home involves specialist safety and compliance requirements.

For instance, you must confirm with the relevant authorities that the work you have carried out is fully compliant with the electrical regulations that apply in your area, and that you have the correct DNO approval or notification in place.

To ensure that your solar panel array is a well-designed system and is expertly installed and commissioned correctly, and that you receive the necessary paperwork once completed, the best course of action is to use a qualified installer.

Does Spartek handle DNO applications?

Yes. As part of the installation service, Spartek handles the relevant DNO paperwork, which helps you to navigate the connection requirements for your system.

We will take into account the proposed system and its connection requirements so that the appropriate application or notification can be made. This process becomes especially important when planning a larger domestic solar array.

It means you won’t have to stress about figuring out all the technical requirements alone. You also get to discuss your property and energy needs more in-depth with our team team who will also give you further guidance about your next best course of action for your solar project.