Home energy generation
Solar Thermal (Water Heating)
Solar water heating uses energy from the sun to work alongside your conventional water heater.
Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is placed on top of existing tiles.
Solar water heating can be used in the home or for larger applications, such as swimming pools. You will need 3-4 square metres of southeast to southwest facing roof receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day for a domestic system.
You'll also need space to locate an additional water cylinder if required.
Solar installations should always be carried out by a trained and experienced installer.
For more on how solar water heating works, different types, costs, maintenance and other considerations see the Energy Saving Trust information page1.
View information on the planning and building regulations regimes covering solar panels in our common projects section:
Other Links
Find a Trade Professional
Use our partner directories to find a planning or building professional to help with your project or development.
Find a professional (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional)
Find a professionalUseful links
Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/applications)
Make an applicationStudio Charrette planning consultancy calculator (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator)
Studio Charrette planning consultancy calculatorSell your site with Land Match (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/sell-your-site)
Sell your site with Land Match- https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-energy/heat/solar-water-heating
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/solar-panels/planning-permission
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/solar-panels-non-domestic/planning-permission
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy
- http://www.nef.org.uk/