Do you need planning permission to install solar panels on your roof?

An increasing number of people are investing in solar energy. More and more homes are having solar panels, or solar tiles, installed on their roofs. Of course, with such installations, the topic of planning permission and building regulations often comes to the surface.

Are there building regulations for solar panels?

There are building regulations for solar panels, as there are for most home improvements. These government regulations are frequently updated to ensure that any alterations made to properties don’t threaten the safety or health of people who live or work in them.

When will solar panels be mandatory?

In March 2024, the European Parliament approved a law requiring solar panels on all new residential buildings by 2030. The EU Solar Standard makes it mandatory for member states to gradually include solar installations in new public, commercial, and residential buildings.

Are solar panels mandatory on new builds in the UK?

Solar panels aren't mandatory on new builds in the UK. However, other parts of the world have implemented requirements - in the EU, for example, solar panels will be mandatory on all new residential buildings by 2030.

Are solar photovoltaic panels part of a default package?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are expected to be part of a default package to meet forthcoming rules on the energy efficiency of homes and buildings in England, according to Government plans.

When did solar panels become a building regulation?

In 2005, household electrical work was absorbed into the UK government’s official Building Regulations. A year later, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 brought microgeneration systems like solar panels under the umbrella of the Building Regulations. Should you receive a building regulations certificate for your solar panels?