Facts and figures

You don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on domestic buildings (garden sheds, greenhouses and outhouses next to country homes), except on listed ones. However, certain conditions must be met. Solar panels:

• Must not protrude more than 20cm (7¾in) from the roof or wall • Must not be higher than the highest part of the roof • Must not ‘be visible from a highway’ in conservation areas or World Heritage Sites

On non-domestic buildings (farm buildings, churches, commercial greenhouses and offices), only solar panels up to 1MW are permitted without planning permission. However, they:

• Are subject to approval on design • Must not protrude more than 20cm (7¾in) on pitched roofs • Must not extend more than 1m (3ft 3in) above the highest part of a flat roof • Must not be installed within 1m (3ft 3in) of the edge of the roof • Must not be installed on a listed building or in its grounds If in doubt, contact your local planning authority