Should guidance on solar PV be included in the National Policy Statement?

The solar industry very much welcomes the addition of guidance on solar PV to the National Policy Statement for renewable energy infrastructure. However, there are several provisions which could be strengthened, which we have outlined below.

What is a Class A solar panel?

a credit for the same amount will be given for anyone using Planning Geek to submit a planning application for their property discussed during the Zoom session. Class A allows you to install, alter or replace solar panels on houses, bungalows or blocks of flats.

When did solar panels become a building regulation?

In 2005, household electrical work was absorbed into the UK government’s official Building Regulations. A year later, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 brought microgeneration systems like solar panels under the umbrella of the Building Regulations. Should you receive a building regulations certificate for your solar panels?

Should a target for solar generation be included in the NPS?

This equates to roughly 40GW of solar by 2030, and the solar industry body, Solar Energy UK, has demonstrated in its 2021 report “Lighting the Way” that this target is possible. We recommend that a target for solar generation should be included in the NPS.

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.

How far can a solar panel protrude?

The solar photovoltaic (pv) or better known as a solar panel must not protrude more than 20cm or 0.2m beyond the plane of the wall or roof slope. On flat roofs these can protrude by 60cm or 0.6m This would apply to solar panel roof tiles as well as the larger solar panels.