Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels?
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Installing a solar PV system is a smart, eco-friendly investment that can reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint. But before jumping in, it's crucial to understand whether you need planning permission to install solar panels on your property.
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The Good News: Most Installations Don’t Require Permission
In the majority of cases, you don’t need planning permission to install solar panels. That’s because they typically fall under “permitted development rights”, which allow for certain home improvements without formal approval.
However, there are important criteria to meet:
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Minimal visual impact: Equipment must have a limited effect on the appearance of the building and surrounding area.
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Height limits: Panels must not extend above the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys).
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Projection limits: Panels should not protrude more than 200mm (0.2m) from the roof or wall surface.
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Restrictions on listed buildings and monuments: Panels generally can’t be installed on or near these.
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Removal when obsolete: All equipment must be removed once no longer in use.
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Special Rules for Standalone Solar Panels
If you’re thinking about freestanding or ground-mounted panels, additional rules apply:
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Must be at least 5 metres from any boundary.
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Must be less than 4 metres tall.
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Total size should not exceed 9m x 3m x 3m.
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Only one installation is allowed under permitted development—future installations will need planning permission.
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When Planning Permission May Be Required
You’ll likely need planning permission in the following situations:
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1. Installing Solar Panels on a Flat Roof
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Flat roof systems need angled mounting frames, which may increase the system’s height.
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A structural engineer’s survey may be required.
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There may be visual and structural concerns that trigger a need for planning approval.
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2. Installing Panels in a Conservation Area
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You usually don’t need planning permission, unless the panels are visible from a public highway.
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Always check with your local authority to confirm.
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3. Installing on a Listed Building
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You will need listed building consent.
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Consent is required whether installing panels on the building itself or within its grounds.
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Approval must be obtained through your local planning authority, often involving Historic England or a National Amenity Society.
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Summary: Check Before You Install
In most cases, rooftop solar panels won’t require planning permission—but there are exceptions. Always ensure your installation:
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Meets permitted development criteria.
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Respects special rules for flat roofs, conservation areas, and listed buildings.
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Is designed and installed by an MCS-accredited professional.
If in doubt, speak with your installer or contact your local planning authority before proceeding. A bit of research upfront can save you time, money, and hassle later.
Do You Need Planning Permission for an Air Source Heat Pump?
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In most cases, planning permission isn’t required for the installation of an air source heat pump. This is a system where a heat pump roughly the size of a washing machine (0.6m3) is installed at the side or rear of your property. It is able to extract heat from the air and transfer it to radiators, underfloor heating systems and also hot water cylinders for use in sinks, showers and baths.
From 1st December 2011, the installation of an air source heat pump was deemed to fall under permitted development rights. However, certain conditions must be met, and there are exceptions.
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These conditions include the following:
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The heat pump must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards (MCS).
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The pump’s outdoor compressor unit must not be larger than 0.6 cubic metres.
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It must be sited at least one metre from the boundary of the property.
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It must not be installed on a pitched roof. If on a flat roof, it must be at least one metre from the external edge.
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Only the first heat pump installation will fall under permitted development - subsequent installations may not, especially if there’s an existing wind turbine within the boundaries of the property.
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Heat pumps aren’t considered to be permitted development if installed within the boundaries of property designated as a listed building.
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If installed within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site, it must not be installed on a wall or roof too close to a highway.
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If any of the above conditions aren’t met, then it may be necessary to apply for planning permission.
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Unsure whether or not you need planning permission? It’s always recommended to speak to your local planning department for advice before proceeding.
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How good are heat pumps in cold weather?
Courtesy of Viessmann - www.viessmann.co.uk
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Now that you know how a heat pump works, you may still be wondering how the system can take heat from the ground or air when it is below zero degrees.
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In the UK, the temperature of the ground doesn’t usually fall below 10 °C. Although this may not feel warm to us, there is still some heat that the heat pump can take to warm up your home. Even with an air source heat pump, there is ambient heat available that can be used. Remember that celsius is a man-made scale and zero degrees doesn’t mean that there is no heat in the air at all. If there was zero heat, the earth would have reached a temperature of -273.
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Your heat pump will continue to work in cold weather, as long as you purchase the right one. Every heat pump is different and you will need the right equipment in order to make sure that your home can be heated throughout winter. For the UK’s temperatures, this may not be as big a problem as it could be for some places, such as Canada or North America, where temperatures can drop to -30 °C. As a German manufacturer, Viessmann have tested their heat pumps in the harsh German winter and elsewhere in Europe.
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How efficient is a heat pump in cold weather?
Your heat pump won’t be as efficient in cold temperatures as it would be in milder conditions. More electricity may be required to remove the heat from the air, which can result in a lower efficiency.
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Heat pump efficiency is measured using Coefficient of Performance (CoP). This is calculated by comparing the amount of input to the amount of output. For example, if an air source heat pump uses one kW of electricity to produce three kW of heat, the CoP is three. The higher the CoP, the better, as it shows your heat pump is more efficient.
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If you do live in a very cold climate, you may benefit more from a ground source heat pump. This is because the ground temperature tends to be warmer than the air temperature. Therefore, a ground source heat pump could require less electricity to run and it could produce a greater amount of heat.
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With an outdoor temperature of 8.3 °C, your heat pump could achieve around 3.8 CoP. However, if the temperature drops to around -8.3 °C, your heat pump’s efficiency could drop to around 2.3 CoP. If the outdoor temperature drops too low for your heat pump to produce any heat, a backup may be required. This is unlikely to occur in the UK, however, heat pumps in countries such as Canada may need to rely on a backup. This can become expensive, so if you live in an extremely cold climate, a heat pump may not be the most efficient way to heat your home.
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Your heat pump will remain efficient for longer if you look after it. You should ensure that your system is serviced every 12 months. Not only does this make sure that everything is running safely, but you’ll also feel happier knowing that your heat pump will be able to warm your home throughout the winter. If you have an air source heat pump, you should clear any debris from the area to prevent the airflow from becoming blocked. This could reduce the heat pump’s efficiency. You may also want to regularly check the filter and change it if needed, any maintenance is best carried out by a qualified engineer.
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​​How efficient is a heat pump in cold weather?
Courtesy of Viessmann - www.viessmann.co.uk
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Your heat pump won’t be as efficient in cold temperatures as it would be in milder conditions. More electricity may be required to remove the heat from the air, which can result in a lower efficiency.
​
Heat pump efficiency is measured using Coefficient of Performance (CoP). This is calculated by comparing the amount of input to the amount of output. For example, if an air source heat pump uses one kW of electricity to produce three kW of heat, the CoP is three. The higher the CoP, the better, as it shows your heat pump is more efficient.
​
If you do live in a very cold climate, you may benefit more from a ground source heat pump. This is because the ground temperature tends to be warmer than the air temperature. Therefore, a ground source heat pump could require less electricity to run and it could produce a greater amount of heat.
​
With an outdoor temperature of 8.3 °C, your heat pump could achieve around 3.8 CoP. However, if the temperature drops to around -8.3 °C, your heat pump’s efficiency could drop to around 2.3 CoP. If the outdoor temperature drops too low for your heat pump to produce any heat, a backup may be required. This is unlikely to occur in the UK, however, heat pumps in countries such as Canada may need to rely on a backup. This can become expensive, so if you live in an extremely cold climate, a heat pump may not be the most efficient way to heat your home.
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Your heat pump will remain efficient for longer if you look after it. You should ensure that your system is serviced every 12 months. Not only does this make sure that everything is running safely, but you’ll also feel happier knowing that your heat pump will be able to warm your home throughout the winter. If you have an air source heat pump, you should clear any debris from the area to prevent the airflow from becoming blocked. This could reduce the heat pump’s efficiency. You may also want to regularly check the filter and change it if needed, any maintenance is best carried out by a qualified engineer.
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Our Legal Structure
Qualis, Qualis Residential, Qualis Commercial, Qualis Warm Home, Qualis Wind, Qualis Solarfield, Qualis NewBuild and Qualis SolarBee are divisions and trading names of Qualis Energy Limited (Reg No. 16320369) and is registered in England and Wales at 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ.
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Qualis Energy Limited holds 50% of the shares of Qualis Renewables Limited.
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Qualis Energy Limited is wholly owned by Lime Arnold Group Limited.