Active solar technology
Active solar technology can be divided into two categories:
- Photovoltaic (PV) produces electricity
- Solar Water Heating (SWH) produces hot water
Both use roof mounted equipment to collect radiation from the sun and convert it to a useful form of energy.
Will I need planning permission?
PV and SWH on dwellings or flats are regarded as "permitted development" and would only require planning permission if:
- The panels would protrude more than 200 millimetres beyond the plane of the wall or the roof slope
- It would result in the highest part of the panel or equipment being higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney)
- In the case of land within a conservation area or which is a World Heritage Site, equipment would be installed on any wall or roof slope that would be visible from a highway
- The equipment would be installed on a building within the grounds of a listed building
- Permitted development rights have been withdrawn
What about freestanding installations?
Freestanding PV or SWH installations within the grounds of a dwelling or flat will normally be regarded as "permitted development" and would only require planning permission if:
- It would result in more than one freestanding panel or
- Any part of the panel
- Would exceed four metres in height above ground level
- Would be visible from the highway if located within a conservation area or World Heritage site
- Would be situated within five metres of the boundary of the site
- Would be situated within the grounds of a listed building or
- The surface area of the solar panels forming part of the freestanding panel would exceed nine square metres or any dimension of the panel or equipment would exceed three metres
- Permitted development rights have been withdrawn
Conditions of permitted development rights
The above permitted development rights for PV and SWH are subject to some conditions and these are that:
- The panels or equipment installed shall be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and/or the area as a whole
- When the equipment is no longer needed it shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable
Building control
Solar panels, photovoltaic panels, slates or tiles
The installation of these products is defined as the provision or extension of a controlled service or fitting and as such building regulation approval is required.
You will need to provide manufacturer's details, including fixing details, operational weights, an energy efficiency appraisal and information as to how these devices interact with existing heating or electrical systems.
For domestic installations, if a contractor who is registered as a Part P competent person is carrying out the electrical works, then the council will not control this aspect of the installation.
Depending upon the type and size of the installation, you may also need to provide a loading check by a competent building surveyor or structural engineer to ensure the structural stability of the existing roof structure is not impaired following the increase in loading.
Where the electricity supply is being altered you should also notify your existing electricity supplier about your proposed installation.
