Solar panels on single story extension flat roof - permitted development?

Boffinboy24

Hi All, I am reading the permitted development rules for panels which states they must not protrude more than 200mm from a roof surface and not go over the top of the roof (excluding chimney). I already have a set on my pitched roof. I have space on a single story extension (the house is 3 story) for extra panels. Since panels placed on here at a low angle would not exceed 200mm above the surface and are still below the top of the overall house roof then my assumption is they are under PD. Before I pay to get the opinion of planning officer I wondered if anyone had experience of this specific situation ie placing panels on a flat roof surface that is below the main house roof? If people required permission then I can shortcut and it probably won’t be worth the hassle and costs!

94JDH

Boffinboy24 said:

Hi All, I am reading the permitted development rules for panels which states they must not protrude more than 200mm from a roof surface and not go over the top of the roof (excluding chimney). I already have a set on my pitched roof. I have space on a single story extension (the house is 3 story) for extra panels. Since panels placed on here at a low angle would not exceed 200mm above the surface and are still below the top of the overall house roof then my assumption is they are under PD. Before I pay to get the opinion of planning officer I wondered if anyone had experience of this specific situation ie placing panels on a flat roof surface that is below the main house roof? If people required permission then I can shortcut and it probably won’t be worth the hassle and costs!

I think there is also a reference to how far they are from the edge as well - have you searched your local authority with flat roof and solar keywords, as different authorities have different rules.

gefnew

Have read through this.
 https://planning-permission.org.uk/solar-panels

Reed_Richards

The same question was asked (and answered) not that long ago: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6351865/solar-panels-on-a-flat-dormer-roof

Boffinboy24

Thanks all, I have indeed read the planning portal etc., but the rules are not clear for a surface lower than the main house roof (walls are clear, must project no more than 200mm).

Reed_Richards said:

The same question was asked (and answered) not that long ago: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6351865/solar-panels-on-a-flat-dormer-roof

Thanks Reed, this is unfortunately not the same situation as a dormer would make the panels above the ridge line. I am talking about a surface well below the main house roof, and trying to establish whether that is treated the same as the panels would be several meters below the main house roof.

It seems like the only route might be contacting planning

Thanks all

Reed_Richards

By all means contact Planning.  My impression was that panels need to be flush with the roof to constitute a Permitted Development - but I could be wrong.

gefnew

This is the best I have found but still not clear.

Planning Permission for Solar Panels

The good news is that here in the UK there is no requirement for planning permission for solar panels. The

government is keen for people to install them so the regulations are left intentionally lenient . There are

some restrictions though.

RESTRICTIONS

Panels can’t be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney)

They can’t stick out more than 20 cm from the roof (although it would be pretty unusual if they did)

The panels are supposed to be placed so as not to have too big of an impact on the building. The actual regs

for this are pretty vague and not particularly stringent – it’s not as if you can actually hide a solar panel

(yet). The intention though is to prevent people from whacking huge solar system up and completely

obliterating any architectural and aesthetic integrity.

If you no longer have any use for your panels or they’ve broken and you’re choosing not to replace them,

you’re required to take them down in a timely manner. In reality this is not a rule that’s very heavily

enforced, but it’s still on the list of requirements.

Scotland has some additional rules regarding solar panels on exterior walls, blocks or flats, and flat roofed

buildings.
Could you contact your local planning dept and give them a quick email with photograph and brief description of your plan.

Reed_Richards

gefnew said:

They can’t stick out more than 20 cm from the roof (although it would be pretty unusual if they did)

Not on a flat roof it wouldn't.

gefnew

Like this maybe.

gefnew

Solar PV for flat roof property - EnergyMyWay

Reed_Richards

gefnew said:

Like this maybe.

Well yes, but flat panels hardly seems an ideal layout.