Planning Permission for Solar Panels on Commercial Buildings

If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your commercial building, you may be wondering “do you need planning permission for solar panels in the UK?” Planning permission can be a difficult area to navigate, but Noble Green Energy is here to help.

Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels in the UK?

Although full planning permission is not usually required for rooftop commercial solar installations, many projects still require confirmation from the local planning authority that the proposal complies with Permitted Development Rights, sometimes through a Prior Approval application.

There are numerous conditions that need to be complied with under Class J of the General Permitted Development Order, which sets out the criteria that rooftop solar installations on non-domestic buildings must meet. Although this may seem complex, Noble Green Energy can support clients with this through our partner relationships.

Permitted Development Rights have been extended by the Government and the previous 1MW capacity limit for rooftop solar PV on non-domestic buildings was removed in December 2023, meaning planning permission is generally not required for rooftop solar PV systems regardless of system size, as long as you comply with specific criteria, as follows:

• The installation of the system must have minimal effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area.
• There must be 1m space between the panel and the edge of the roof.
• It cannot be installed higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney) and panels on a sloping roof must not protrude more than 0.2m beyond the plane of the roof slope.
• The system must be removed as soon as reasonably possible when it is no longer needed.

*The rules requiring businesses to apply for planning permission if the solar PV system was above 1MWp were scrapped in December 2023 meaning rooftop systems can now be installed under permitted development rights regardless of size.

When is Planning Permission Required for Solar Panels?

The information above is regarding roof-mounted solar panels; if you are looking to install ground-mounted solar panels, they will usually require planning permission for any system covering greater than 9 square metres when installed as a stand-alone system within the grounds of a non-domestic building. These also have specific criteria you must comply with:

• The installation must be no higher than 4m.
• It cannot be installed within the boundary of a listed building or scheduled monument.
• When installing in designated land such as a conservation area or World Heritage Site, additional restrictions may apply and prior approval may be required depending on the location of the installation relative to the building and highway.

Planning for ground-mounted solar systems will also likely take into consideration the following potential significant effects:

Construction – What impact will the construction phase, including construction traffic, have on local human habitation and biodiversity?

Ecology & Wildlife – Is the site in or near a Site of Special Scientific Interest? Are there any Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) affecting the site or immediate surroundings? What would be the Biodiversity Net Gain from the system?

Landscape & Visual – Does the site feature extensive longer distance views of the site and is the local public vantage presented of the site relatively limited?

Archaeology & Heritage – Is the site located in or near a conservation area and are there any historic parks or gardens affecting the site or surrounding area?  Is the development likely to significantly affect either features of notable archaeological interest or the setting of built heritage assets?

Air Quality – Is the site located within an Air Quality Management Area?

Highways & Transport – Will vehicle movement during the construction period likely be significant in relation to the capacity of the local road network?

Ground Conditions & Hydrology – Does the site have any history of contamination and is the site at risk of flooding?

Agriculture – Would the proposed development result in the direct loss of arable farmland that is utilised for crop cultivation?

Potential Construction Effects – Will the construction adversely affect the amenities of the residents in any of the existing communities?

There are a number of documents which will often need to be prepared and submitted to accompany a full planning application, such as:

• Planning Statement
• Statement of Community Involvement
• Design and Access Statement
• Landscape and Visual Assessment
• Heritage Assessment
• Archaeology and Visual Assessment
• Archaeology Phase 1 Desktop Report including above ground heritage
• Arboricultural Assessment
• Agricultural Land Classification Report
• Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
• Biodiversity Impact Assessment and Net Gain Plan
• Flood Risk Assessment
• Drainage Strategy
• Transport Statement (with particular reference to the construction phase)

Other examples of where planning permission may be required include:

Flat Roofs

Solar panels on a flat roof will need to be placed in frames to create an angle towards the sun. Under permitted development guidelines, the highest part of the equipment should not exceed 1 metre above the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys) and must be positioned at least 1 metre from the edge of the roof.

Listed Buildings

Whether you’re installing solar panels on a building that is located within the grounds of a listed building or on a site that is considered to be a scheduled monument, you will need the relevant heritage consent (such as Listed Building Consent or Scheduled Monument Consent) as well as potentially planning permission.

Conservation Areas

As mentioned above, you are able to install solar panels in a conservation area without planning permission due to Permitted Development Rights. However, additional restrictions may apply, and some installations – particularly ground-mounted systems or those affecting the character of the area – may require prior approval or planning permission from the local authority.

Which Building Regulations Do I Need to Be Aware of For the Installation of Solar Panels?

As well as planning permission, you also need to be aware of building regulations when installing roof-mounted solar panels on your commercial building. The main factors for consideration are the roof structure and whether it can carry the weight of the panels, and the electrical installation.

However, our highly qualified and experienced solar panel engineers at Noble Green Energy will conduct an initial survey of your site and obtain required consents from the DNO and coordinate with structural engineers, surveyors and planners, so you can be assured of a safe, efficient and guaranteed installation from initial meeting through to commission and beyond.

If you have a farm or large-scale industrial or commercial site and you would like to generate your own energy, then installing solar panels is the answer.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can read more information on agricultural solar PV or solar PV solutions for businesses.

For more information on Labour’s Plan for Solar Panels and how they could benefit your farm business, check out our blog article:
https://noblegreenenergy.co.uk/articles/what-is-labours-plan-for-solar-panels/