Just like other major house improvement projects, some specific requirements must be met to allow for the installation of solar panels on commercial buildings. The main reason why these standards and regulations were established is to minimize the risk of the solar system becoming an issue or potential hazard in the unforeseeable future. So if you’re thinking about buying and fitting new solar panels, you’ll probably want to know whether or not you’ll require to submit a planning permission application for approval before you can proceed.
Fortunately, the installation of solar panels on commercial buildings may be “permitted development which mean you won’t have to apply to the Local Planning Authority for planning permission. There are, however, some important limits and conditions which must be put into consideration in order to benefit from these permitted development rights. Some of the limitations include:
- The solar panels must be installed on a wall or pitched roof that should project at a maximum of 200mm from the surface of the wall or roof slope.
- Equipment placed on a roof should not be within one metre of the external edge of that roof.
- Equipment mounted on a wall must not be within one metre of a junction of that wall with another wall or with the roof of the building
- If the equipment is on the roof of a building, the capacity for generation of electricity across the entire site must not be more than 1 megawatt.
- In the situation whereby the panels are installed on a flat roof, the highest part of the equipment should not exceed one metre above the highest part of the roof.
In general, obtaining a planning permission is very important and as such, you must discuss your position with your chosen installation company before you proceed.