If you live in a house with permitted development rights you can install solar panels without planning permission, subject to certain conditions and limitations. These rights may vary based on location and property type, so you must check with your local planning authority.
Even though installing solar panels on new builds is a great way to set new homes up with renewable energy from day one, it’s not yet a legal requirement. One common problem is that developers don't use all the available roof space, resulting in a less effective solar panel system.
Solar panels aren't mandatory on new builds in the UK. However, other parts of the world have implemented requirements - in the EU, for example, solar panels will be mandatory on all new residential buildings by 2030.
For new builds and self-builds, you'll likely be looking at solar photovoltaic panels and/or solar hot water (solar thermal) systems. Instead of looking at options to traditional heating systems, solar panel installations can be added to new builds to improve the EPC and overall energy efficiency.
Unfortunately, solar panels aren't compulsory on new builds, but they have become a common way for developers to meet certain building regulations and make developments more sustainable. Many construction companies choose to install them in order to meet the required SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) score for energy efficiency.
Following a consultation by the UK Government, Solar Energy UK predicts that compulsory solar panels will be included in the upcoming Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard (due for publication in late 2024). Are solar panels on new builds mandatory in Europe?
There are two basic iterations of solar panels. Although they all generate energy by converting rays from the sun, they do so in different ways. The two most common solar panels are: PV or photovoltaic Solar panels. These are the most common domestic solar panels and …