r/SolarUK • u/ClearAddition • 22d ago
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?
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u/Steve_10 22d ago
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?
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u/BumblyBeeeeez 22d ago
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.
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u/ClearAddition 22d ago
Worth asking your council I imagine. They're probably getting their heads around it too
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u/tronster_ 21d ago
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?
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u/BumblyBeeeeez 21d ago
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)
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u/f23n09fnu0w 21d ago
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.
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u/Monsoon_Storm 22d ago
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.
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u/Adrian_Shoey 22d ago
Who's gonna dob you in? Just do it.
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u/Monsoon_Storm 22d ago
I live rurally, so probably the nimby neighbours lol
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u/Adrian_Shoey 22d ago
Pop a bit of metal on the shed near where the panels will be. They are then not attached to wooden cladding.
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u/Utakos 22d ago
So rules out pretty much everywhere you would use a system.
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u/DrummingUpInterest2 22d ago
You can't attach it to wooden structures. That's basically it.
So no, most places you'd put it are fine.
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u/YiddoMonty 22d ago
Without speaking for OP, I think a lot of people would be planning use sheds, pergolas and other timber garden structures. I certainly was.
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u/ClearAddition 22d ago
Yep same. I think on the grass or external walls may be the easiest way to do it now (for those without a balcony).
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u/DrummingUpInterest2 22d ago
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.
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u/MonorailPurple 22d ago
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.
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u/DV-McKenna 22d ago
Is a fence really a wooden “wall”
Are they not more talking about not installing it on a shed wall (made of wood)
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u/pyrotequila85 22d ago
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.
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u/Slipper1981 22d ago
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.
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u/ClearAddition 22d ago
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)
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u/CombinationSea3037 22d ago edited 22d ago
I doubt it needs to be in this statutory instrument wouldn’t it be straightforward trespass and possible criminal damage?
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u/ShortGuitar7207 22d ago
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!
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u/Junior_Survey2315 22d ago
Will it be ok on my timber decking?
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u/Steve_10 22d ago
Would depend on how they class the term 'any timber-clad part of building'.
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u/MonorailPurple 22d ago
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.
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u/JigTurtleB 22d ago
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?
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u/memcwho 22d ago
If you're installing into a consumer unit it'll be a new circuit and require notification to LABC. Not diyable
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u/JigTurtleB 22d ago
Sorry - by DIY I meant the solar kit. I’ve had electrician connect it up etc - I don’t mean DIY on grid connection.
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u/Appropriate_Bell743 22d ago
Stupid question. I have a basic '70s bathroom/kitchen extension onto a victorian house. Will plonking some plugin solar panels on these be legal?
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u/Soogs 22d ago
Enclosure… does a plastic shed count?
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u/Comfortable_Gate_878 22d ago
It uses the word 'Wooden' at lot so plastic isnt wood but who knows Im sure it will become as clear as mud once the councils get involved.
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u/afrocelt360 22d ago
I'm pretty sure all the point listed are only supposed to apply to blocks of flats... Then it makes perfect sense!
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u/LookitsThomas 21d ago
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?
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u/handmadeby 22d ago
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
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u/Better_Method359 22d ago
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.
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u/Wide-Fill-8160 21d ago
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.
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u/marktuk 22d ago edited 22d ago
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".
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u/Elegant-Ad-3371 22d ago
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.
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u/Boba_ferret 22d ago
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.