Solar Photovoltaic Installations Planning Permission

    In many cases installing solar panels on domestic land is likely to be considered ‘permitted development’ with no need to apply to the council for planning permission. There are, however, important limits and conditions which must be met to benefit from the permitted development rights (see below). You may wish to discuss with the local planning authority for your area whether all of the limits and conditions will be met.

    Solar panels mounted on a house or on a building within the grounds of a house.

    All the following conditions must be observed:

    Panels on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area.
    All the following limits must be met:

    Panels should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney) and should project no more than 400mm from the roof slope or wall surface.
    The panels must not be installed on a building that is within the grounds of a listed building.
    The panels must not be installed on a site designated as a scheduled monument.
    Wall mounted only – if your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, panels must not be fitted to a wall which fronts a highway.
    Stand alone solar panel installations (panels not on a building)

    All the following conditions must be observed:

    Panels on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.
    All the following limits must be met:

    Only the first stand alone solar installation will be permitted development. Further installations will require planning permission.
    No part of the installation should be higher than four metres
    The installation should be at least 5m from the boundary of the property
    The size of the array should be no more that 9 square metres or 3m wide by 3m deep
    Panels should not be installed within boundary of a listed building or a scheduled monument.
    if your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, no part of the solar installation should be nearer to any highway bounding the house than the part of the house that is nearest to that highway.
    Note – permitted development rights for solar panels are available for both single houses and buildings which consist wholly of flats.

    Note – If you are a leaseholder you may need to get permission from your landlord, freeholder or management company.

    NOTE: It is the responsibility of the owner of the building or land where Solar PV panels are to be installed to ensure that they have permission for their solar panels installation by enquiring with the relevant authorities. Local authority websites have “Planning Permission Enquiry” forms for householders to check whether a solar panels installation is a permitted development or requires planning permission.

    It is not the installer’s responsibility to check whether an installation is allowed under planning (permitted development) regulations or requires planning permission.

    Building Regulations

    If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply. The ability of the existing roof to carry the load (weight) of the panel will need to be checked and proven. Some strengthening work may be needed. Building regulations also apply to other aspects of the work such as electrical installation. It is advisable to contact an installer who can provide the necessary advice, preferably one who belongs to the Competent Person Scheme.

    For further information follow this link:

    http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/solarpanels/

    VAT

    The Government have set a reduced rate of 5% VAT for the supply & installation of renewable technology on most buildings, a reduction of 15% from the prevailing VAT rate. This applies if the installation company procures and installs a Solar PV panels system, however if energy-saving materials are supplied without solar panels installation the supply is standard-rated for VAT.

    Tax
    You pay NO tax on revenue you receive from Solar PV Feed in Tariffs from domestic installations.

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