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.

Can I install solar panels if I don't meet building regulations?

Your local authority can also apply for a Confiscation Order to take away any money you’ve earned with your system – so there’s absolutely no benefit to installing solar panels that don’t meet building regulations. It’s crucial that your solar installation follows all building regulations.

Should you install solar panels again if you move home?

Imagining your house filled with mess from a lengthy installation could be enough to put you off considering solar panels. But few owners complained to us about the installation being disruptive, and 80% said that they'd install solar panels again if they moved home.

Are solar PV installations notifiable?

To clarify, what is certain is that nearly all domestic electrical work is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations (see below) and a solar PV installation is nearly always notifiable electrical work.

Can solar panels be installed on a house?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can be installed on a wide range of homes. We've heard from people installing solar panels on bungalows and terraces, as well as semi-detached and detached houses. If your main house roof is unsuitable (a thatched roof, for example), solar panels can instead be installed on a garage or other outbuilding.

Can a landlord install solar panels?

Solar panel installation is generally simpler if you own your home; however, if you're a leaseholder or in a shared-ownership property, you may be able to install solar PV with the permission of your freeholder or landlord. Solar panels can be installed on blocks of flats, but this is often done by the landlord or freeholder.