Does Commercial Solar Need Planning Permission?

England: the rules for business roofs

Rooftop solar on non-domestic buildings is permitted development as long as the panels:

• stick out no more than 0.2 metres from the surface of a pitched roof
• on a flat roof, are no more than 1 metre higher than the highest part of the roof (ignoring chimneys)
• are set back at least 1 metre from the outside edge of the roof
• are positioned, as far as practical, to keep their effect on the building’s appearance to a minimum
• are removed once they are no longer needed

Before installing, you need to apply to the council for prior approval. This is not a full planning application. The council only looks at the design and appearance, paying particular attention to whether glare could affect neighbouring land.

Wales: the rules for business roofs

Wales has its own rules, which are similar. For panels on non-domestic buildings:

• there is no limit on generating capacity
• panels must stick out no more than 200mm from the roof or wall
• on a flat roof, they must be no more than 1 metre above the roof
• they must be at least 1 metre from the outside edge of the roof
• they should be placed to keep glint and glare to a minimum

In conservation areas and World Heritage Sites, you need planning consent if panels go on a front or side wall that can be seen from the road.

When you do need planning permission

In both England and Wales, you will normally need permission if:

• The building is listed. You will need listed building consent too.
• The site is a scheduled monument.
• The council has removed permitted development rights, either through a condition on the building’s original planning permission or an “Article 4 direction”.
• The panels don’t meet the size and position limits above, for example a tilted array on a flat roof that would stand more than 1 metre high.

What about ground-mounted solar?

Ground-mounted arrays are treated differently. Small stand-alone panels within a business site can sometimes count as permitted development, within strict size limits. A ground-mount array on a field or spare land almost always needs a full planning application. We can support that application as part of a ground-mount project.

Planning is not the only consent

Even when planning permission isn’t needed, other approvals usually are:

• Grid connection. Most business systems need G99 approval from the local network operator before switching on. See our G99 guide.
• Building Regulations. The roof structure must be able to take the extra load, and the electrical work must meet the regulations.
• Your landlord, if you lease the building.
• Your insurer. See Will your insurer accept solar on your roof?

How we handle it

During the free site survey we check whether your installation falls within permitted development, whether any exceptions apply, and what your council needs to see. We then design the system to stay within the limits where possible, and prepare the paperwork. That covers the prior approval in England and, where needed, a full planning application.

Want to know where your site stands? Book a free site survey or call 0161 726 5276.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Planning rules can change, and your council has the final say on individual sites.