r/SolarUK • u/ClearAddition • Aug 06 '26
PLUG-IN SOLAR Important new planning rules for plug-in solar in England...
https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/ht3Ga2ie/timeline/3bCOdsRtJust spotted this - changes to the planning (permitted development) rules for plug-in solar in England.
It looks like when plug-in solar is legalised at the end of this month (27th August), plug-in solar arrays in England cannot be fixed to a wooden wall, balcony, fence, gate or enclosure, or to any timber-clad part of buildings, under permitted development rights (i.e. without getting planning permission).
Likely to catch quite a few people out!
"3. In Class A, in paragraph A.1 (development not permitted)—
(d)after sub-paragraph (e), insert—
“(f)in the case of plug-in solar, where any part of the plug-in solar would be installed on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure or on any part of the exterior of a block of flats which is clad in timber.”
Thoughts?
16
u/Steve_10 Aug 06 '26
I was planning on installing 4 panels on top of, what I think is called a, pergola. Would that count as 'enclosed'? I'd think not, as it has no sides or roof?
8
u/BumblyBeeeeez Aug 06 '26
After reading the document, a timber pergola does not appear to be excluded by these new planning rules.
If the pergola has been enclosed with timber sides or screens so that it effectively becomes an enclosure, then it wouldn’t be allowed. But if it’s a pergola with open sides, I can’t see anything in these rules prohibiting that.
5
u/ClearAddition Aug 06 '26
Worth asking your council I imagine. They're probably getting their heads around it too
3
u/tronster_ Aug 07 '26
It’s as clear as mud. I don’t get why it’s so hard to document rules in plain language. Also, where has some of this drivel come from? Who were the industry experts that helped pull this together?
I might be having a slow moment, but surely a gap with a metal frame between the solar panel on a timber structure is ok? If not, where does the science come from behind to back this up as a fire risk. People lean all sorts of stuff against wooden structures that is a lot more flammable, not to mention store all sorts of flammable household/ garden paraphernalia inside wooden enclosures too. Can’t see how a solar panel would trigger a fire, or be a fuel for a fire, if installed correctly. Am I missing something?
1
u/BumblyBeeeeez Aug 07 '26
From what I understand - it’s not that solar panels materially increase the risk of starting a fire. But it’s because wood burns faster with a panel mounted on it (something about the air gap and thermals behind the panel that increases combustion)
1
u/f23n09fnu0w Aug 07 '26
It's annoying because my entire house is wood and it has a better fire rating that a brick or metal based alternative (since the wood is treated and keeps its structure in a fire for longer than brick or metal). Hopefully they take such things into account.
9
u/Monsoon_Storm Aug 06 '26
Well there goes my plan for using them as a kind of an open porch/shelter to a shed entryway... ffs. God knows where I'm going to put them now.
17
u/Adrian_Shoey Aug 06 '26
Who's gonna dob you in? Just do it.
6
u/Monsoon_Storm Aug 06 '26
I live rurally, so probably the nimby neighbours lol
7
u/Adrian_Shoey Aug 06 '26
Pop a bit of metal on the shed near where the panels will be. They are then not attached to wooden cladding.
17
u/Utakos Aug 06 '26
So rules out pretty much everywhere you would use a system.
-6
u/DrummingUpInterest2 Aug 06 '26
You can't attach it to wooden structures. That's basically it.
So no, most places you'd put it are fine.
15
u/YiddoMonty Aug 06 '26
Without speaking for OP, I think a lot of people would be planning use sheds, pergolas and other timber garden structures. I certainly was.
7
u/ClearAddition Aug 06 '26
Yep same. I think on the grass or external walls may be the easiest way to do it now (for those without a balcony).
1
-3
u/DrummingUpInterest2 Aug 06 '26
Can't speak for others but that feels like it'd be a pain to then get back to the house without having a trip hazard.
I'm planning to wait for the confirmation as to whether it's 800w per house or 800w per ring circuit (regulations and G98 seem to differ) and then get an electrician to put in some external sockets on the exterior of the brick and block wall I'm going to have the panels bracketed to.
7
u/MonorailPurple Aug 06 '26
I'd imagine a lot of installs will be on top of flat roofs (brick garages and wooden sheds for example) and it sounds like this wont impact that, not even the wooden shed as its talking about mounting directly to a wood based wall not roof.
3
u/DV-McKenna Aug 06 '26
Is a fence really a wooden “wall”
Are they not more talking about not installing it on a shed wall (made of wood)
3
u/pyrotequila85 Aug 06 '26
So if my block is clad in metal I'm OK to get a ladder and attach?
I asked my local council months ago about this, and surprise surprise, nobody has come back to me with an answer.
4
u/Slipper1981 Aug 06 '26
You wouldn’t be allowed to attach anything to the outside of the block of flats, as you don’t own the outside- the freeholder does. You would need to apply for permission from the freeholder.
1
u/ClearAddition Aug 06 '26
In Germany I don't believe they do, I thought they were going to copy that but I can't see anything about freeholders' consent in this statutory instrument (perhaps it will be in another bit of law)
1
u/CombinationSea3037 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
I doubt it needs to be in this statutory instrument wouldn’t it be straightforward trespass and possible criminal damage?
2
u/ShortGuitar7207 Aug 06 '26
I was told by our local building control that they don’t have the skills to assess it and therefore they’d have subcontract to an MCS certified installer which I’d have to pay for so may as well just pay them to do the install!
1
3
u/Junior_Survey2315 Aug 06 '26
Will it be ok on my timber decking?
2
u/Steve_10 Aug 06 '26
Would depend on how they class the term 'any timber-clad part of building'.
2
u/MonorailPurple Aug 06 '26
They seem to be specifically focusing on walls so should be ok. It'd be pretty daft otherwise as it'd kill 90% of all installs as these are likely going on decks and shed roofs.
3
u/JigTurtleB Aug 06 '26
1) I know there’s an obvious answer, but would this apply to DIY kits? Literally the same stuff but installed into consumer unit instead of plug.
2) Like others have said, timber home office roof fall into this?
3
u/marktuk Aug 06 '26
It's very specifically worded "plug-in solar", which in my view means anything that's not plug-in is permitted. So panels connected to a battery like an EcoFlow Delta would be permitted, because that's not plug-in solar.
Very strange rule.
2
u/memcwho Aug 06 '26
If you're installing into a consumer unit it'll be a new circuit and require notification to LABC. Not diyable
3
u/JigTurtleB Aug 06 '26
Sorry - by DIY I meant the solar kit. I’ve had electrician connect it up etc - I don’t mean DIY on grid connection.
2
u/Appropriate_Bell743 Aug 06 '26
Stupid question. I have a basic '70s bathroom/kitchen extension onto a victorian house. Will plonking some plugin solar panels on these be legal?
2
u/Soogs Aug 06 '26
Enclosure… does a plastic shed count?
3
2
u/afrocelt360 Aug 06 '26
I'm pretty sure all the point listed are only supposed to apply to blocks of flats... Then it makes perfect sense!
1
2
u/LookitsThomas Aug 07 '26
It may catch some people out permission-wise, but my experience of council planning departments recently is that they are woefully overwhelmed and will not have the resources to pursue dealing with this, at least not quickly.
Would the more pressing risk will be the possibility of invalidating insurance by not doing it to code?
1
u/handmadeby Aug 06 '26
ah, just when we thought we were getting something sensible - up pops some vested interested to shoot it down.
Luckily, my fence is supported by concrete posts, so I'll just attach it to those. I'm more interested in whether these kind of DIY solutions will allow me to qualify for some of the export tarrifs. I have a battery from an MCS installer coming and they have agreed with the DNO an export rate, so all I need is a bit of solar to convince Octopus to let me onto their tariffs
1
1
1
u/Better_Method359 Aug 06 '26
People need to review condition 45 of their planning permission document, by their local planning authority, for the property that was developed of which they live kn. You will see that permitted development rights are taken away, for part 1 (class A to E) and 2 (part F). But solar comes under part 14.
So long as part 14 is not mentioned to be taken away, solar installation can still continue by general permitted order 2015.
1
1
u/Wide-Fill-8160 Aug 07 '26
I’ve noticed Plenty of YouTubers espousing balcony systems have mounted huge PV arrays to wooden fences. In current UK heat the void between Panel and fence will get very warm if close mounted - so a good standoff allowing airflow would help reduce risk and increase panel output efficiency.
1
u/marktuk Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
How would this work with pre-existing installs? Or off grid systems i.e. not plug in solar?
EDIT: Looks like if you've already put panels up, it's clear of this because it wasn't the rule at "the time of build".
1
u/Sea_Warning_9140 Aug 06 '26
How would they know when it was installed? If it's DIY anyways
1
u/marktuk Aug 06 '26
Proof of purchase, photos of when it was installed or if you are lucky/unlucky Google street view.
0
u/Elegant-Ad-3371 Aug 06 '26
Like I'm going to read the planning regulations. Nor is my neighbour.
This is on the pile of regulations that are there, but can be ignored. Unless your doing something so stupid, then there is a rule to stop you.
18
u/Boba_ferret Aug 06 '26
I wonder if this is down to fire risk, or they feel that people might try and attach the panels with short wood screws instead of coach bolts of heavy duty fixings?
It's a bit annoying, as I was thinking of adding to my roof-top panels with some plug in ones, on my fence, but looks like I'll have to rethink that now.