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      03/01/2025

      The Ultimate Guide to Solar Panel Installation Regulations in the UK

      Thinking of installing solar panels but are unsure about the regulations? Our guide breaks down some of the key regulations and considerations of the solar panel installation process. Though the majority of these regulations are for the attention of the installer, it is important that you, the property owner, have a general understanding. This will help to make sure you don’t breach any regulations such as planning or building permissions, or overlook any rulings that could see you faced with fines or legal action. Whether you’re installing on a residential roof or a larger property, let’s take a look at some of the regulations for installing solar panels in the UK.

      Regulations for solar panel placement: Domestic vs Commercial

      Arguably, the most important regulations for those looking to install solar panels on their property are those that consider the placement or positioning of the solar panels. These vary depending on whether your property is for commercial or domestic purposes.

      Domestic Solar Panel Installations

      Domestic properties usually include houses, flats, and bungalows that may be privately owned, rented, or leased. Depending on the property type, there are two options for domestic solar panel installations: roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar panels. Planning permission is not usually required for solar panel installation on domestic properties, though if you want installation on a rented or shared property, you will need approval from the owner.

      Roof-mounted solar panels

      Roof-mounted solar panels are simply solar panels that are mounted to your roof. These are the most common types of solar panels installed on domestic properties, as they rarely require planning permission, are cheaper to install than other types of solar panels, and don’t take up any space that you might later want to use. To avoid planning permission, you must abide by the following conditions.

      The solar panels installed must not protrude more than 200mm from the plane of the roof and cannot be installed on a front-facing roof slope unless the property is a listed building, or known to be in a conservation area. However, if the building is listed or in a conservation area, you must seek prior approval before carrying out solar panel installation. As of December 2023, any flat roofs have a larger area to work with, as the permitted projection from the roof has increased to 600mm. Your solar panels must also not cover more than 50% of your total roof space. If your solar panel installation can follow all of these regulations, then you do not require any planning permission.

      Ground-mounted solar panels

      Though this type of solar panel is typically seen on farmland or fields, it is still a possibility for your domestic property. Ground-mounted solar panels are usually installed when you don’t have the roof space, or your property is completely sheltered from the sun all year round.

      Any ground-mounted solar panels smaller than 9 square metres do not need planning permission; anything on a larger scale has to be approved beforehand. For ground-mounted solar panels on domestic properties that don’t need permission, the panels should be installed at least 5 metres away from any property boundaries, less than 4 metres tall, less than 3 metres wide and 3 metres deep, as well as being out of sight of any main roads, especially if they are in a conservation area or heritage zone.

      Commercial Solar Panel Installations

      Generally, any solar panel installation under 1MW is permitted without any additional approval required. Similarly to domestic installations, for no permission to be requested, there are several regulations to be met for commercial solar panel installations.

      For pitched and wall-mounted installations, solar panels must not extend more than 200mm perpendicular to the surface of the roof or wall.
      For both pitched and flat roof installations, panels must be installed at least 1 meter away from the building’s external edges.
      For flat roof installations, panels should not extend more than 1 meter from the roof surface and must not be the tallest feature of the roof, excluding the chimney.
      For ground-mounted systems, the array must cover no more than 9m², with no single dimension exceeding 3 metres and a total height not exceeding 4 meters.

      General installation regulations when installing solar panels

      As well as regulations for commercial and domestic properties, there are several regulations surrounding the process of the installation – though these are mainly for your technician, it is good to have some broad knowledge of installation regulations for peace of mind.

      Solar Panel Installation Building Regulations

      The installation of solar panels must comply with standard building regulations of a property, which cover Part A (structure), B (electrical) and P(fire). When it comes to roof structure, the roof must be able to support the weight of the solar panels easily. All electrical work related to the solar panel installation must comply with Part P of Building Regulations, which covers new electrical additions to a property, and the rewiring of current systems, ensuring the safe installation of your solar panels. It is essential that your newly installed solar panel system does not obstruct the roof’s fire routes, and must be installed in a way that doesn’t create new fire hazards.

      Electrical Regulations for solar panel installation

      Due to the nature of Solar Panel installation and their purpose, as well as general building regulations, the wiring of your new panels needs to adhere to strict IET Wiring Regulations, put in place by BSI (BS 7671). This standard is important to follow as it covers the installation of the inverter and wiring, electrical isolation, and earthing (which stops electrical shocks), ensuring your safety.
      Installer Regulations for installing solar panels
      To be fully certain that your solar panels are safely wired, the installers themselves must also be compliant with multiple regulations. Anyone installing solar panels must follow the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) standards for small-scale renewable energy systems, and be registered with a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC.

      An MCS-certified installer must install your solar panel system to qualify for government incentives such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or receive financial support under schemes like the Green Homes Grant.

      Battery Storage Requirements for solar panels

      When installing solar panels, you have the option to add a battery, where you can store the surplus energy you create to use on a cloudy day or sell back to the grid. The ideal location for Solar Panel Battery Storage (BESS) is outside, or if it has to be inside, the area needs to be well-ventilated and separated from habited rooms, as well as being linked to your fire detection system. Additionally, the wiring for a BESS must be concealed and out of reach, as disconnected cables can cause very dangerous currents.

       

      Our team of solar panel installers is MCS-certified and registered under NICEIC. By choosing a certified professional for your solar panel installation, you ensure the safety and longevity of your new energy system. Enquire today with a member of our team and schedule your solar panel installation.

      FAQ’s

      Can you install your own Solar Panels?

      We highly advise you not to attempt a solar panel installation yourself. While most installations for our team members are not complicated, solar panel installations require lots of work and can be tricky if you don’t know what you are doing. The government’s introduction of the Competent Persons Scheme means all installers must be regiestered to NICEIC or NAPIT and be MSC-Certificated to install solar panels. With our solar panel installation service, you can have peace of mind that your solar energy system will be installed correctly and safely within the shortest time possible.

      How long does Solar Panel Installation take?

      For a domestic property, you will be looking at 2-3 days for solar panel installation. This will depend on the complexity of the project; this means the roof type, the number of panels you’re looking to have installed and the size of the individual panels. Commercial installations can take up to 7 days, depending on the factors mentioned above. It is also important to think about planning permissions and have safety surveys carried out before any installations on commercial properties.

      Do I need planning permission to install solar panels on my house?

      For most cases, you don’t need planning permission to install solar panels, if you are the owner of the property. However, there are certain scenarios where planning permission is required to install solar panels. For example, if your solar panels are going to protrude the roof they’re on by more than 200mm (600mm for flat roofs), or are planned to cover more than 50% of the roof, you must get planning permission. When installing solar panels on the ground of a residential property, there are very strict regulations to follow if you do not want to get planning permission. It is best to check with your local council or Local Planning Authority before installing ground solar panels, to ensure you don’t breach any permissions.

      Are there any rules regarding the installation of solar panels on properties with shared ownership or communal roofs?

      There are some rules and considerations for installing solar panels on properties with shared ownership or communal roofs. If you are renting a property or living in a shared space, permission is generally required from all co-owners or stakeholders who share the roof space, as the installation could affect the property’s appearance, structure, and value.

      What happens if I install solar panels without the necessary planning permission or in breach of regulations?

      If you install solar panels without the necessary planning permission or in breach of regulations, you could face several legal and financial consequences, including the removal of your panels, fines, legal action, compromised insurance policies, and personal risks such as to your safety and diminished property value.

      How do I sell my surplus energy back to the grid?

      The process is straightforward. If you are signed up for the scheme and your solar panels are connected to the national supply, you can choose to either store or sell your excess solar energy. To sell your surplus energy back to the grid, you need to install a BESS (storage battery) and a generator meter. Once your equipment is installed, you must apply to a licensed SEG tariff supplier, in order to sell your energy. The amount you receive will depend on your supplier, but it usually ranges from 22 – 35p for every kWh.