Wall-mounted solar is a good choice for buildings with accessible walls facing in different directions. High-rise buildings or buildings with limited roof space, i.e. multi-storey, make wall-mounted solar a consideration to utilize the building’s surface area for solar power generation.
Installing wall-mounted PV panels usually does not have an impact on planning, unless it is a conservation area or significantly alters the building’s appearance. Additional restrictions may apply if you live in a listed building, conservation area, or national park.
If the property is situated on a World Heritage Site or conservation area, solar equipment should not be mounted on a roof that forms the front face of the building or the side of the building visible from a public road. If your property is a listed building, you should consult your local planning officer.
Your local authority can also apply for a Confiscation Order to take away any money you’ve earned with your system – so there’s absolutely no benefit to installing solar panels that don’t meet building regulations. It’s crucial that your solar installation follows all building regulations.
You won’t typically need planning permission to install wall-mounted solar panels on a property that you own. Properties that do require planning permission are listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas, where there are restrictions on the number of changes you can make to the outside of the property.
Rooftop solar installations always need building regulations approval, but rarely require planning permission. This is because they generally fall under permitted development rights, which allow homeowners to make reasonably sized changes without getting permission.