Planning laws are quite clearly laid out for Solar PV systems. However, Building Regs are a lot more ambiguous, and thus leaves the home owner with a choice of whether to apply for them or not. We always advise that you should apply for them, but it is entirely the homeowners decision. There is no extra work involved for the homeowner.
All solar installations are subject to the following conditions:
- Panels on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the appearance of the building.
- They should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.
- When no longer needed for microgeneration they should be removed as soon as possible.
Roof and Wall Mounted Solar Panels
- Panels should not be installed above the ridgeline and should project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface.
- If your property is a listed building installation is likely to require an application for listed building consent, even where planning permission is not needed.
- Wall mounted only – if your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, planning consent is required when panels are to be fitted on the principal or side elevation walls and they are visible from the highway. If panels are to be fitted to a building in your garden or grounds they should not be visible from the highway.
Standalone Solar Panels
- Should be no higher than four metres
- Should be at least 5m from boundaries
- Size of array is limited to 9 sq m or 3m wide and 3m deep
- Should not be installed within boundary of a listed building
- In the case of land in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site it should not be visible from the highway.
- Only one stand alone solar installation is permitted.
More information can be found at:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/solarpanels
Building Regulations: Planning laws say Building Regs must be followed for weight and wind load calculations. However, under the MCS registration scheme, installers are deemed to be “competent persons” under this scheme, and can therefore waive the need to apply for Building Regs from the local authority (or so it is assumed!). Some local authorities do not agree with this as they feel installers are not suitably qualified (as all they have to do is read a document on wind loads and answer a couple of questions to an examiner and they are therefore seen to be competent) and therefore the installation needs to apply for Building Regs (in the eyes of the Local Authority), thereby paying the associated fee! The legislation is not completely transparent on this at the moment, although it is thought this will be clarified in the April 2012 review.
At Cernunnos Homes, being an NHBC registered builder, we are suitably qualified, and we create all the necessary roof load and wind load calculations for your property. Applying for Building Regs is something we can do for you, free of charge (although we do pass on the local authority charge).
Alternatively, if your local authority does not require Building Regs to be applied for then we will have the calculations for you regardless, and you can rest assured that your system has been designed to last!
Finally, every householder should notify their home insurer as to the installation. They should also check that the insurer does not require Building Regs as this may affect their policy. These are “grey” areas where we can advise as to the best solution, but it is the householder that must make the ultimate decision. Most installers will not notify you of these points as they focus on making the “sale” – Cernunnos Homes focuses on your needs and requirements.
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