Planning Permission And UK Rules For Solar Panels: What Homeowners Need To Know

Thinking about adding solar this winter and wondering if you need planning permission? You are not alone. The rules are clearer than you might expect, and most homeowners in England can install rooftop solar under permitted development. Below is a practical guide for typical homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Oxfordshire, plus a holiday-ready checklist to make your survey smooth and stress free.

Do you need planning permission for solar panels?

For most pitched and flat roofs in England, rooftop solar is permitted development. You do not usually need planning permission if you follow the General Permitted Development Order conditions and any local

constraints. The big points are:

• Panels should not project more than 200 mm from the roof surface, measured to the front face of the module or its frame.

• Equipment should be sited to minimise the effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area.

• Remove the equipment when it is no longer needed.

Apartment blocks and commercial buildings can also be permitted, but the details differ. If your home is listed or in a designated area such as a conservation area or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, extra rules can apply.

Always check your local authority guidance if your property has special status. In practice, many installs on homes in conservation areas are still possible with sensitive design, but listed buildings often need formal consent.

The 200 mm roof protrusion limit, sometimes called the 200 mm rule

Government guidance caps the projection of microgeneration equipment from the roof plane at 200 mm. This is to keep installations flush and unobtrusive. Two common mounting approaches help with compliance:

• On roof systems, the most common method, use rails and brackets secured to rafters. Quality systems typically sit 100 to 150 mm off the tiles, within the 200 mm limit.

• In roof systems replace a section of tiles and recess the modules so that they sit closer to the roof line. They offer a neat finish and can help in sensitive locations, though they can be more complex to detail.

  
  

If a dormer or rooflight is nearby, we will check clearances, wind load paths and waterproofing. We design arrays to comply with the protrusion rule while maintaining adequate airflow for panel cooling.

What is the 20% rule for solar panels?

You might hear a 20% rule mentioned online. This is often a misunderstanding. There is no national planning rule that limits rooftop solar coverage to 20% of the roof. Instead:

• Structural considerations, wind and snow loading, and access margins at eaves or ridges will shape the layout.

• Fire service guidance and manufacturer requirements can lead to side and top edge clearances.

• Some housing estates have covenants on appearance. These are private legal matters, not planning rules, and they vary.

  
  

In short, you can usually cover as much of a suitable roof as is practical, provided the installation meets structural, electrical, and planning conditions. We model wind uplift, use certified mounting systems, and provide MCS documentation, so you know the design is compliant.

What is the 36 inch solar rule?

The 36 inch rule is a US term relating to roof firefighter access paths. In England, there is no blanket 36 inch rule in national planning or building regulations for domestic rooftop solar. However, good practice still applies:

• Maintain sensible margins from ridges, hips, and valleys.

• Respect manufacturer edge distances for clamps and frames.

• Keep safe routes for maintenance.

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Where local fire services or building control raise specific access requirements, we incorporate them in the layout. The outcome is a tidy array that respects safety and looks balanced on your roof.

Highways and visibility in conservation areas

Panels visible from a highway can attract more scrutiny in conservation areas. Councils often prefer in roof systems on street facing elevations or placement on rear or side roofs where possible. If your frontage is sensitive, we can assess rear aspects, flat roof options with low profile frames, or detached garage roofs. In many Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire villages, a discreet array on a rear slope has been readily accepted.

Listed buildings and curtilage listing

Listed buildings, or structures within the curtilage of a listed building, usually require listed building consent for any change that affects character. Discreet ground arrays or outbuilding roofs can sometimes be acceptable. Early conversations with conservation officers help. We can provide drawings, visuals, and mounting specifications that demonstrate minimal impact.

Battery systems and EV chargers, where can they go?

• Solar batteries: Typically wall mounted in a utility, garage, plant cupboard, or external enclosure. UK guidance prefers non habitable spaces or suitable fire separated locations. We check clearances, ventilation needs, and escape routes. Options such as a Fox ESS battery or a Sigenergy hybrid inverter system are common for homes in our area.

• EV chargers: Most are permitted development on driveways and external walls, provided they are within size limits and at least 2 metres from a highway boundary. Cabling routes must be safe and protected. We install and commission with full electrical certification and set up your app for solar smart charging if supported.

  
  

If you are considering a charger alongside PV, choose a model that plays nicely with your inverter or battery. We routinely configure Zappi and Ohme for solar priority modes during handover.

Can you legally install your own solar?

DIY installation is not forbidden, but it is rarely sensible. To qualify for export tariffs and protect your warranty, you need an MCS certified installation. Electrical work must meet BS 7671, and the Distribution Network Operator needs to be notified under G98 or G99, depending on system size. Roof works must be structurally sound and weather tight. Most homeowners choose a certified installer to avoid risk, secure export payments, and ensure safe commissioning.

At Now EV, we handle MCS certification, DNO applications and notifications, and all electrical testing under Napit and TrustMark. You get a compliant system, a clean install, and paperwork that supports your investment.

How Now EV keeps your project compliant and simple

1. Survey and design: Free remote or on site surveys, including WhatsApp photo checks, shading review, and performance modelling with MCS estimates.

2. Permissions: Advice on permitted development, listed building considerations, and conservation area strategies. Where consent is required, we provide the drawings and specifications your council expects.

3. Electrical and DNO: We submit G98 notices or G99 applications as needed and coordinate any supply upgrades.

4. Accredited installation: In house engineers fit Van der Valk mounting, quality modules and inverters, then commission with full test certificates.

5. Handover and support: App setup, monitoring guidance, and friendly aftercare.

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If you are looking for a local team for solar panels Buckinghamshire or nearby towns, we would be glad to help.

Get in touch via our website or WhatsApp for a same day remote quote in most cases.

Local notes for Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Oxfordshire

Local planning portals are generally supportive of rooftop solar that meets the 200 mm protrusion limit and is sited neatly. Towns like Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes, St Albans, Oxford, and surrounding villages see frequent permitted installs.

If your property is in a conservation area, we will suggest options such as in roof panels on rear slopes or sympathetic ground arrays. Our proposals balance aesthetics, performance,

and compliance.

If you are comparing options in the region, we also design integrated systems pairing PV with batteries and solar smart EV charging. For example, we can discuss the right battery for solar storage for your usage profile and how it interacts with your chosen charger.

Summary

• Most domestic rooftop systems in England are permitted development if they project no more than 200 mm from the roof, are sited sensitively, and removed when no longer needed.

• There is no national 20 percent roof coverage limit, and the US 36 inch access rule does not apply in England. Instead, follow UK guidance on clearances, structure, and good practice.

• Listed buildings and conservation areas need extra care, and listed building consent may be required. Sensitive design usually finds a workable solution.

• Batteries and EV chargers are commonly permitted with sensible siting and certified installation.

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Now EV is a local, accredited team serving Bucks, Beds, Herts, and Oxfordshire with in-house MCS, NAPIT, and TrustMark workmanship. We handle design, DNO notifications, installation, and handover so you can enjoy clean energy with confidence.

If you are ready to explore options for solar panels Milton Keynes or would like to discuss a solar battery Leighton Buzzard, get in touch and we will start with a quick, no-pressure survey.