Do I need permission?
Find out whether your home improvement or commercial project needs planning permission or building regulations approval
Renewable energy
The planning system is generally supportive of initiatives and technologies that generate clean, renewable energy.
National legislation regarding solar panels, heat pumps, biomass heating systems, combined heat and power systems and wind turbines is set out in Schedule 2 Part 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015. This explains in detail the circumstances where renewable energy proposals are permitted development (i.e. where they do not require planning permission).
For more detailed advice regarding solar panel development, please refer to our separate guidance.
From the end of Autumn 2022 we anticipate providing a new, trial service regarding solar panel advice. We will update these pages once these details are available.
Last updated: 30 May 2024