Do you need planning permission for solar panels on homes?

Whether you're looking to make your home become more eco-friendly or you want to knock off the cost of your energy bills, solar panels are becoming more popular. 

A recent report suggested that solar panels could even add up to £90k to your house value.

But before you jump at the chance of adding solar panels to your home, you may want to check if you'll need to get planning permission first. 

Do you need planning permission for solar panels?

Most homes do not need planning permission for solar panels as they come under the 'permitted development' category. 

That means that the majority of non-domestic buildings do not need planning permission for solar PV or solar thermal.

Check if you need planning permission. (Image: Getty)

Whilst you might not need planning permission for solar panels, you do need to consider certain aspects, such as the external appearance and to keep the amenities of the area at a minimum. 

You can also not have the system be any higher than the highest point of your roof, not including the chimney, and the solar panels can not be more than 0.2 meters beyond the plane of the roof slope. 

When do you need planning permission for solar panels?

There are some circumstances that need planning permission, including listed buildings where you will need to get the correct permission. 

Flat roofs will likely need permission as solar panels need to be placed at an angle towards the sun, meaning a frame would need to be put in place.