Pitched roof
Panels must not be installed above the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney, and must project no more than 200mm from the roof slope (source: planningportal.co.uk).
Flat roof
The highest part of the solar equipment can't be more than 600mm higher than the highest part of the roof (source: planningportal.co.uk).
Wall or balcony mounted (new from 27 August 2026)
On a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that faces a highway, panels shouldn't protrude more than 0.2 metres beyond the wall. On any other wall, balcony or roof enclosure, the limit is 0.4 metres (source: planningportal.co.uk).
Listed buildings and scheduled monuments
Panels must not be installed on a building within the grounds of a listed building, or on a site designated as a scheduled monument, under this permitted development right; if either applies to you, permitted development doesn't, and you need to apply (source: planningportal.co.uk).
Conservation areas
Planning Portal states that requirements differ by property type and can restrict installation on a highway-facing wall or roof slope, without setting out one single rule that covers every case. If your property is in a conservation area, check the specific condition for your situation with your local planning authority before assuming permitted development applies.
The transitional period
From 27 August 2026 to 27 August 2027, you can follow either the rules as they stood immediately before 27 August 2026, or the new rules above (source: planningportal.co.uk). After that date, only the new rules apply.
For cost and whether solar is worth it for your property, see our guides to solar panel installation cost and is solar worth it in the UK.
Questions people ask
Do I need planning permission to put solar panels on my roof?
Usually not in England, for a standard pitched or flat roof installation within the protrusion and height limits above. You do need permission if the property is in the grounds of a listed building or on a scheduled monument, if it's in a conservation area and the specific condition applies, or if your installation doesn't meet the size and position limits.
What changed on 27 August 2026?
The permitted development right for solar equipment mounted on a house, block of flats or a building within the curtilage was updated, including new protrusion limits for wall and balcony-mounted panels. A 12-month transitional period runs to 27 August 2027, during which either the old or new rules can be followed.
Do these rules cover ground-mounted solar panels?
No, this page covers panels mounted on a house, flats or a building within the curtilage. Stand-alone, ground-mounted solar equipment is covered by a separate permitted development right with its own conditions.
Sourced from Planning Portal: solar equipment mounted on a house or block of flats. See our data sources and updates page.
Editor, VettedHome
Adam leads VettedHome's editorial coverage of UK home services. He is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose, the commercial strategy and modern systems business behind a portfolio of UK information sites, and he researches and writes the plain-English guides that help homeowners choose between installers and trades, drawing on the standards set by the relevant bodies for each job, such as Gas Safe Register, NICEIC, MCS, TrustMark and the Property Care Association. He is clear about what to check before any work starts.
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