Homes can often have solar panels without requiring planning permission from the Council. They are covered by permitted development so long as certain conditions apply.
Permitted Development Rights
The permitted development rights relating to solar panels are:
Class A (installation or alteration etc of solar equipment on domestic premises)
Class B (installation or alteration etc of stand alone solar equipment on domestic premises)
You can find more information at:
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2026. Paragraph P defines plug-in solar. 'Solar PV' expressly includes plug-in solar. It means plug-in solar is subject to the limitations and conditions in Classes A and B.
We can help you to understand the legislation (charges apply).
You can also apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC). You can use an LDC to prove an existing or proposed solar panel:
does not require planning permission and
complies with the permitted development limitations and conditions.
Please visit our Permitted development rights page for further guidance.
If you need planning permission
If you need to do so, you can apply for planning permission.
Other considerations
solar panels on listed buildings will need planning permission and listed building consent. Please see HEAG321 Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency
some conservation areas are subject to Article 4 Directions. You can find more information at: Article 4s - Cornwall Council. However, none of these Directions remove permitted development rights for solar panels.
leaseholders may need to get permission from your landlord, freeholder or management company
some standalone solar equipment on article 2(3) land may need a prior approval application. If needed, this must be before work begins.
You can check if these designations affect your property. Our constraint checker tool will help identify them:
Building regulations
You will need to apply for building regulations if installing a solar panel on your roof. The strength of the existing roof will need assessing to ensure it can carry the weight of the panel. You may need to do some work to strengthen the roof.
Building regulations apply to other aspects of the proposed work. This includes electrical installation.