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Planning permission

The installation of solar panels on non-domestic buildings and land may be 'permitted development' with no need to apply to the Local Planning Authority for planning permission. There are, however, important limits and conditions, detailed on the following pages, which must be met to benefit from these permitted development rights.

Non-domestic buildings and land for the purposes of these permitted development rights include businesses and community buildings. Permitted development rights are also available for domestic properties1.

You may wish to discuss with the Local Planning Authority for your area whether all of the limits and conditions will be met.

Find your local planning authority

Further information

Find out about Getting your job done safely2 when working with solar panels from the Health and Safety Executive.

Find a Trade Professional

Use our partner directories from CIAT, FMB or RTPI to find an chartered architectural technologist, builder or planning consultant to help with your project or development.

Find a professional


Useful links

Make an application Planning consultancy calculator
    1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/solar-panels-non-domestic/planning-permission-stand-alone-solar-panel-installations-in-the-grounds-of-a-non-domestic-building
    2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/solar-panels/getting-your-job-done-safely

    The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.

    The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.