Solar · Fitting
Can solar panels go on a flat roof?
Short answer
Yes. Frames are held by ballast or mechanical fixings. Ballasted systems need a structural engineer's check, recognised wind-load data and a protection layer compatible with the membrane. Height limits apply under permitted development: 0.6 m above the roof in England, 1 m in Wales (1 m from edges) and 1.5 m in Northern Ireland.
Last checked 24 September 2026 · 2 sources
In more detail
- MIS 3002 5.9.11-5.9.13; BRE Digest 489; friction coefficient 0.3 default.
- England SI 2026/896 flat roof 0.6 m.
The facts, dated
- 01England PD: flat-roof solar max height above highest part of roof — 0.6 m
regulation · England · checked 24 September 2026 · legislation.gov.uk
- 02Ballasted systems use a friction coefficient of 0.3 unless tested — 0.3
standard · UK · checked 24 September 2026 · MCS
Sources
- legislation.gov.uk — www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/896/made
- MCS — mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MIS-3002_Solar-PV-Systems-V6.0-Final…
Last checked: 24 September 2026