Solar panels

On 27^th August 2026 the permitted development right permitting the installation of solar equipment on a house, block of flats or building within the curtilage was updated.

As part of these changes a 12-month transitional period has been added, ending on 27^th August 2027. Until this point you can follow the rules as they were immediately prior to 27^th August, or the new rules.

Rules prior to 27^th August 2026

All the following conditions must be observed:

• Equipment 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.
• When no longer needed equipment should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
• If solar equipment is to be installed on a flat roof on Article 2(3)* land then the developer must apply to the local planning authority for prior approval.

All the following limits must be met:

• On a pitched roof, panels should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney) and should project no more than 200mm from the roof slope or wall surface.
• On a flat roof the highest part of the solar PV equipment cannot be more than 600mm higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding chimney).
• The panels must not be installed on a building that is within the grounds of a listed building or on a site designated as a scheduled monument.
• 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.

Rules following 27^th August 2026

All the following conditions must be observed:

• Equipment 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.
• When no longer needed equipment should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
• If solar equipment is to be installed on a flat roof on Article 2(3)* land then the developer must apply to the local planning authority for prior approval.

If the property is part of a block of flats, all the following limits must be met:

• On a pitched roof, panels should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney).
• Panels should project no more than 200mm from the wall surface, or where relevant, the roof slope.
• On a flat roof the highest part of the solar PV equipment cannot be more than 600mm higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding chimney).
• The panels must not be installed on a building that is within the grounds of a listed building or on a site designated as a scheduled monument.
• 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.
• In the case of plug-in solar, any part of the solar equipment should not be installed on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, or any exterior clad in timber.

If the property is a house, all the following limits must be met:

• On a wall, balcony or roof enclosure which abuts a highway, the solar PV should not protrude more than 0.2 metres beyond the plane of the wall, on any other wall, balcony or roof enclosure, it should not protrude by more than 0.4 metres.
• On a pitched roof, panels should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney) and should project no more than 200mm from the roof slope.
• On a flat roof the highest part of the solar PV equipment cannot be more than 600mm higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding chimney).
• The panels must not be installed on a building that is within the grounds of a listed building or on a site designated as a scheduled monument.
• If your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, panels must not be fitted to a wall, balcony or roof enclosure which fronts a highway.
• In the case of plug-in solar, any part of the solar equipment should not be installed on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, or any exterior clad in timber.

* Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

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