Solar Panel Installation: No Planning Permission Required!*

Did you know? Installing solar panels might be easier than you think – in most cases, you won’t need planning permission at all!

While there are some exceptions, the majority of solar panel installations don’t require approval, making the transition to cleaner energy hassle-free.

*When is Planning Permission Needed?

Planning permission is only necessary if your property is in a designated area, such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a Conservation Area.

What About a Standard 12-Panel Installation?

For most homes, a typical 12-panel solar setup doesn’t require planning permission, unless your property is listed or located in a conservation area.

What if the Installation Exceeds 1 Megawatt?

Previously, a planning requirement existed for installations over 1 megawatt, but this has now been removed to encourage more renewable energy adoption. For most domestic and business properties, no permission is needed. Learn more.

What About Places of Worship?

Places of worship with ecclesiastical exemptions, like the Church of England or Roman Catholic Church, don’t need listed building consent, but they will need approval from the relevant denominational authority.

For more details, check out Historic England’s guidelines: Historic England's Solar PV Advice.

Do Listed Buildings Require Planning Permission?

It’s always best to double-check with your local authority. Generally, if you want to install solar panels on a listed building, planning permission will be required.

The Smart Way to Compare Solar Installations: Key Factors to Consider

UK Green Energy Installations uses high-quality batteries and inverters made by GivEnergy that outperform cheaper alternatives. When comparing solar and battery storage installation quotes,
it’s crucial to evaluate them on a like-for-like basis.

Key factors to consider:

• Hardware Quality: Investing in top-tier products ensures durability, with systems lasting up to 25 years and offering payback in as little as 6 years. Choosing quality maximises your system's lifespan and overall returns.

• 12-Year Warranty: Not all products offer such an extensive warranty. Our 12-year coverage provides peace of mind, ensuring you’re fully protected against issues with batteries or inverters long after installation.

• Installation Expertise: The quality of the installation plays a crucial role in the performance and longevity of your system. Experienced installers ensure that everything is set up correctly and optimally, minimising potential issues and maximising efficiency over the system's lifespan.

The Process of Converting Solar Energy into Usable Electricity

This information has been created to provide a basic overview of how solar works. It should be noted that there are different confgurations, batteries and inverters that could change depending on requirements.

The process of capturing solar energy, storing it in a battery, and using it involves several steps. Here's a breakdown of how solar energy is captured, stored, and used through a solar battery system:

1. Solar Energy Generation

Solar Panels Capture Sunlight: Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, typically mounted on the roof or ground, absorb sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.

Inverter Conversion: The DC electricity generated by the solar panels is sent to an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) electricity, the type used by most household appliances.

Diagram of standard solar power process utilising a DC to AC inverter and storage battery.

2. Power Flow Management

Once the solar panels generate electricity, it is managed in different ways:

Direct Usage: The AC electricity can be used immediately by the home or building to power devices and appliances.

Excess Electricity: If more electricity is produced than used, the excess is either stored in a battery system for later use or sent back to the grid (if no storage system is present or full).

3. Battery Storage

Charging the Battery: When there's excess electricity, instead of sending it to the grid, the solar system directs it to charge the battery storage system. These batteries store the energy as DC electricity.

Battery Type: Most solar energy storage systems use lithium-ion batteries, although lead-acid, flow, and other types of batteries can be used.

4. Energy Usage from Battery Storage

Discharging the Battery: When solar energy is not available (e.g., at night or during cloudy periods), the stored energy in the battery is used. The battery discharges its stored DC electricity.

Inverter Use: Before being used by household appliances, this DC electricity from the battery passes through the inverter again, converting it to AC electricity.

Energy Supply to Appliances: The AC electricity from the battery then powers the home or building.

5. Backup Power (Optional)

During Power Outages: Many solar battery systems are designed to provide backup power during a grid outage. In this case, the battery system automatically switches to power critical loads like refrigerators, lights, and other essentials.

6. Grid Interaction (Optional)

Net Metering: If the battery is full and the solar panels continue to produce electricity, the excess can be sent back to the grid. In many areas, utility companies offer net metering, where you get credit for the electricity you send to the grid, offsetting your future electricity costs.

Grid Usage: If the battery is depleted and solar generation is low, the home or building will pull energy from the grid as a last resort.

Key Benefits of Solar and Battery Storage:

• Energy Independence: Reduce reliance on the grid by storing your own solar energy.

• Peak Shaving: Use stored energy during high-cost peak hours, reducing utility bills.

• Backup Power: Maintain power during grid outages with stored energy.

• Energy: Rely on clean, renewable solar energy, reducing carbon emissions.

This process ensures that solar energy is efficiently captured, stored, and used when needed, providing flexibility and energy savings.