If you live in a listed building, conservation area, or older property, you have probably asked one question before anything else: “Will I need planning permission for solar panels?”
The internet is full of conflicting answers, and many homeowners are told “you cannot have solar” when that simply is not true.
This guide explains what the rules actually are in 2026, when permission is needed, when it is not, and how solar can often be installed even on protected buildings, if it is designed correctly.
Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels?
For most UK homes, no planning permission is required.
Solar panels usually fall under permitted development, which means they can be installed without submitting a planning application, as long as certain conditions are met.
These rules are set nationally by the UK Government, but there are important exceptions, especially for listed buildings and conservation areas.
When Solar Panels Are Permitted Development
If your home is not listed and not in a conservation area, solar panels can usually be installed without planning permission if,
- Panels do not protrude more than 200mm from the roof
- Panels are installed to minimise visual impact
- Panels are removed when no longer needed
- The system is fitted above roof tiles, not replacing them, unless roof integrated
For the vast majority of standard homes, solar is straightforward from a planning point of view.
Solar Panels in Conservation Areas
Living in a conservation area does not automatically mean you cannot have solar.
In many cases,
- Rear roof elevations are acceptable
- Panels that are not visible from the road are often approved
- Black, low-profile panels reduce visual impact
What usually triggers planning is street-facing installations, not the technology itself.
A sensitive design makes a huge difference.
Solar Panels on Listed Buildings
This is where most confusion sits.
If your property is listed, you will need Listed Building Consent for solar panels, even if planning permission is not required.
That does not mean solar will be refused.
It means the installation must:
- Protect the character of the building
- Be reversible where possible
- Use appropriate fixings and materials
- Minimise visual impact
Many listed buildings across the UK already have approved solar installations.
Common Myths About Listed Buildings and Solar
“Solar is banned on listed buildings.”
False. It requires consent, not prohibition.
“Planning will always refuse it.”
False. Well designed applications are regularly approved.
“Only modern homes can have solar.”
False. Older buildings often benefit the most from energy savings.
The issue is not the building, it is the design and justification.
What Councils Actually Care About
Planning officers typically focus on,
- Visual impact from public viewpoints
- Reversibility of fixings
- Protection of original materials
- Whether alternatives were considered
They are not anti-solar, they are anti poor design.
This is why statements, drawings, and installer experience matter.
How Solar Can Be Designed for Sensitive Buildings
Good installers design around the building, not just the system.
This may include,
- All-black panels with no silver frames
- Low-profile mounting systems
- Rear or hidden elevations
- Careful cable routing
- Specialist fixings for slate or stone roofs
In some cases, solar can be less visually intrusive than rooflights or satellite dishes.
Do You Need to Apply, or Can Your Installer Help?
A good installer should:
- Advise whether permission or consent is needed
- Help with drawings or technical details
- Design systems that planners are more likely to approve
- Be honest if approval is unlikely
If an installer tells you “it is impossible” without looking properly, that is usually a red flag.
The Biggest Mistake Homeowners Make
Assuming solar is not allowed and stopping there.
In reality:
- Many homes qualify under permitted development
- Many listed buildings gain approval
- Many refusals happen because of poor applications, not solar itself
Solar and heritage buildings are not mutually exclusive.
So, Can You Have Solar on a Listed or Protected Property?
In many cases, yes. It comes down to:
- Sensible design
- The right paperwork
- An installer who understands older buildings
Solar is increasingly seen as part of protecting historic homes, not damaging them, especially as energy efficiency becomes more important.
If you live in a listed building, conservation area, or older property and want honest advice before you assume no. Simply fill out the form below or give us a call on 01422 768113.