What planning checks should an installer do before quoting rooftop or ground-mount solar?
Short answer
In England, permitted development usually covers roof panels projecting no more than 0.2 m and not above the ridge, flat-roof arrays up to 0.6 m high, and ground arrays up to 9 m² with height limits. Listed buildings, scheduled monuments, conservation-area highway frontages and Article 4 areas need checking. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different limits.
Last checked 24 September 2026 · 3 sources
In more detail
- England SI 2023/1279 (21 Dec 2023): flat roofs allowed, prior approval on article 2(3) land.
- England SI 2026/896 (27 Aug 2026): walls 0.2 m to a highway, 0.4 m otherwise; plug-in limits on timber.
- Scotland SSI 2024/102 (24 May 2024): 1 m protrusion; CA principal/road-facing side excluded; not listed/WHS.
- Wales: 200 mm, flat roof 1 m from edge and <=1 m high; stand-alone 4 m, 9 m2.
- NI: 200 mm, not above ridge, not listed (unverified detail).
- MIS 3002 cl.5.1.3: make customers aware of all permissions.
The facts, dated
- 01England pitched-roof projection limit — 0.2 m
regulation · England · checked 24 September 2026 · legislation.gov.uk
- 02England flat-roof height limit above highest part of roof — 0.6 m
regulation · England · checked 24 September 2026 · legislation.gov.uk
- 03England stand-alone solar panel area limit — 9 m2
regulation · England · checked 24 September 2026 · legislation.gov.uk
- 04Scotland Class 6HA protrusion limit — 1 m
regulation · Scotland · checked 24 September 2026 · legislation.gov.uk
- 05Wales roof/wall projection limit — 200 mm
regulation · Wales · checked 24 September 2026 · Welsh Government
Sources
- legislation.gov.uk — www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/14
- legislation.gov.uk — www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2024/102/made
- Welsh Government — www.gov.wales/planning-permission-solar-panels
Last checked: 24 September 2026