Planning Requirements for solar panels

From 6th April 2008, home owners, schools and other community organisations interested in fitting their own green energy systems will not need planning permission, the Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks announced on 31st March.

Planning Requirements for conservation areas

In conservation you need to apply for planning, but solar water heating panels have permitted development status under the general permitted development order’.

Quote this in your planning application, (submission cost £90), and make a reference to the general permitted development order

An outline guide to matching a solar water heating system to your home or business

General Requirements

Ideally the solar water heating collectors need to have un-obstructed south facing aspect, but will work facing east or west

The solar collectors need a minimum angle of 20 degrees from the horizontal, i.e. on a pitched roof or using a mounting frame kit

Extra space for the taller higher capacity solar hot water cylinder, (twin coil)

A space the size of an airing cupboard will be needed if you are adding a thermal store to a combination boiler heating system

Access to the inside of the roof for plumbing and the outside via scaffolding for mounting the solar heating collector

Mains electricity supply.

Space for the pumping station, controller and expansion vessel.

Identifying Your System

Vented system, will have a hot water cylinder and a header tank.

Combination boilers, supply hot water direct to the taps on demand.

Hot Water Cylinder Type

Vented solar heating systems use hot water cylinders which are similar to the standard cylinder except it has an additional secondary solar coil.

Combination heating systems can use one of the following two solutions.

A pressurized cylinder which cannot be a self build fit, we are qualified to fit pressurised cylinders for heating water

A thermal store and small header tank which can be a self build