Solar panel installation regulations in the UK can be complex. While it’s your installer’s job to ensure everything is up to scratch, you may want to be kept in the loop about the alterations being made to your property.

Just as tradespeople must follow building regulations when replacing fuse boxes, installing an air conditioning system or changing electrics near a bath or shower, solar panel installers also have guidelines to follow.

If you want to learn more about what experts like Project Solar are up to, here’s the latest on UK solar panel installation regulations.

What Are Solar Panel Building Regulations?

If you want to extend or build on a preexisting property, all alterations must comply with UK building regulations.

The term ‘building regulations’ covers a wide range of work, including the replacement of windows and doors, connected electrics and roof coverings on pitched and flat roofs. The installation of solar panels falls into this category.

What Are the Building Regulations for Solar Panels?

These regulations were outlined in legislation from 2010 (The Building Regulations: 2010). However, the chief areas of concern for solar panel installations are Part A: Structure, Part P: Electrical Safety and Part F: Ventilation.

Structural Safety

These regulations outline how installers must assess whether your roof can support the additional weight of solar panels. An evaluation of your property should make sure that the existing structure can bear the load without compromising safety.

Solar panels can last up to 40 years, so installers must be sure that your property can handle this weight for a long time. The good news is, UK roofs are designed to hold much more than domestic solar panel systems (which generally weigh around 20kg per square metre).

Depending on the type of roof you have (e.g., vaulted ceiling, flat roof, pitched roof), your installer will likely arrange an in-person structural survey.

If they notice any issues during the survey, your installers may propose that you hire a tradesperson to undertake strengthening work.

Electrical Safety

Part P sets out the established safety standards for incorporating new electrical components intended to prevent faults or fires.

Your installer must isolate the solar panel system from your mains electricity to safeguard for future work. Installers are required to fit appropriate fuses and circuit breakers to reduce the risk of overvoltage.

These components act as the first line of defence if the system experiences a power surge or fault. Plus, only cabling and connectors that are approved by recognised certification bodies can be used in these systems.

Ventilation

Did you know that solar panels can generate heat due to their cables, connectors, and even their inverters?

To make sure none of the equipment experiences failure due to high temperatures, your installer must make sure the PV system has enough space to disperse the heat or the technology required to ventilate it.

How to Make Sure Your Solar Panels Comply with Building Regulations

The best way to make sure your solar system adheres to building regulations is to work with a Napit Accredited (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) installer (like Project Solar!).

We handle the building regulation application process to help ensure your installation meets all the latest safety standards.

Once we’ve made sure your solar system is up and running, the Project Solar team will then provide the documentation to prove your new solar system meets UK building regulations.

Are Building Regulations the Same Thing as Planning Permission?

No, building regulations and planning permissions are not the same thing.

While building regulations are concerned with setting standards for structural integrity, fire safety, insulation, and ventilation, planning permission assesses the impact of a proposed development on its surroundings.

It considers factors like the development’s appearance, its use, the effect on the local environment, and whether it follows local planning policies.

What Planning Permission Do Solar Panels Need?

Luckily, many solar panel installations fall under ‘permitted development’ rights, meaning they don’t require planning permission.

However, exceptions do exist! If you’re looking to install a solar system on a listed building, a conservation area or an area of ‘outstanding beauty’, these conditions may necessitate permission.

You’ll be pleased to hear that installing solar panels on the roof or wall of a private property is considered ‘permitted development’ (meaning you don’t have to apply for planning permission). However, these conditions are provided that:

If installed on a pitched roof, panels should not extend above the highest part of the roof (the ridgeline) and should project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface.
New rules introduced in December 2023 have relaxed this for flat roofs: Panels can now project up to 600mm. Despite this, it’s advised to obtain a structural report, as flat roofs often require heavier racking systems.
Planning permission is typically not enough if the home is a listed building. You’ll also need listed building consent.
In conservation areas or World Heritage Sites, wall-mounted panels on the front or side elevations facing a highway (a public right of way such as a public road, public footpath and bridleway) do require planning consent. Panels on outbuildings may be exempt, but only if they’re not visible from a highway.
For ground-mounted arrays, planning permission is usually needed unless:
Only one such ground-mounted system is installed
It is at least 5 metres from property boundaries
The installation is no higher than 4 metres
The total panel area is less than 9m²
They are not visible from the highway if located in a conservation area or World Heritage Site
The panels are not installed within the boundary of a listed building.

Looking to Get Started with Solar Panels? Our Expert Team is Here to Help!

If you found our guide to solar panel installation regulations in the UK helpful, we’re happy to be of service! Thanks to our professional installation team, we can also provide this service for anyone searching for a brand-new domestic solar system.

Solar Panel Installation Regulations UK: Everything You Need to Know