Do Businesses Require Planning Permission For Solar Panels?

By: Adam

Unless your business is located in a national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or a conservation area, you are unlikely to need planning permission

Solar Panels - Permitted Development

It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with legislation but generally speaking solar panel installations fall under the category of 'permitted development rights' which allow certain building works and changes of use without requiring a full planning application.

When Planning Permission Might Be Required

You may need planning permission if:

Your building is listed: This includes buildings within the curtilage of a listed building.
Your solar panels will exceed specific dimensions: For example, projecting more than 200mm from a wall or roof, or being higher than one meter above a flat roof.
Your installation is over 1 megawatt: While the government is planning to change this, it currently requires planning permission for larger installations.

It's essential to check with your local planning authority to confirm whether you need permission for your specific project.

Note: Recent government announcements indicate that rules are changing to make it easier for businesses to install solar panels without planning permission, including removing the 1 megawatt limit. These changes aim to accelerate the adoption of solar power.

We have vast experience of installing solar panel arrays at business premises throughout the UK so if you are unsure whether you need planning permission our friendly team is on hand to help you establish the facts. Just get in touch...