Skip to content

Solar panels - non domestic

Planning Permission: Stand alone solar panel installations in the grounds of a non-domestic building

All the following conditions must be observed:

  • Equipment should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.
  • When no longer needed the equipment should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
  • If solar equipment is to be installed on Article 2(3)* land, closer to the highway than the nearest part of the house or flats, then the developer must apply to the local planning authority for prior approval.

All the following limits must be met:

Only the first stand alone solar installation will be permitted development. Further installations will require planning permission from the local authority.

  • No part of the installation should be higher than 4m.
  • On Article 2(3)* land, where the solar equipment will be installed closer to the highway than the nearest part of the house or flats, no part of the equipment should be higher than 2m.
  • The installation should be at least 5m from the boundary of the property.
  • The size of the array should be no more that 9 square metres or 3m wide by 3m deep.
  • Panels should not be installed within the boundary of a listed building or a scheduled monument.

* Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

Note - If you are a leaseholder you may need to get permission from your landlord, freeholder or management company.

Find a Trade Professional

Use our partner directories from CIAT, FMB or RTPI to find an chartered architectural technologist, builder or planning consultant to help with your project or development.

Find a professional


Useful links

Make an application Studio Charrette planning consultancy calculator

      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.

      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.