Building Regulation Approval For Solar Panels

Building control local authorities.

Building regulation approval for solar panels.

Scotland has some additional rules regarding solar panels on exterior walls blocks or flats and flat roofed buildings. Listed buildings and world heritage sites. With the installation of roof mounted solar panels becoming increasingly popular it is important to recognise that building regulations will normally apply should you wish to fit them to your roof. Building regulations also apply to other aspects of the work such as electrical installation.

There is some confusion as to whether a solar pv installation needs to be notified to the local authority and different authorities do have different approaches. Some strengthening work may be needed. The issue here is whether the existing roof wil be able to take the extra roof loadings that solar panels will impose on it. Of course with such installations the topic of planning permission and building regulations often comes to the surface.

If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply. The ability of the existing roof to carry the load weight of the panel will need to be checked and proven. We are a solar pv wholesaler in the midlands and a lot of our customers are asking us whether they need building control approval for all their solar pv installations. Local authorities are responsible for compliance with the building regulations and most will have a dedicated building control department.

The installation of solar panels and equipment on residential buildings and land may be permitted development with no need to apply to the local planning authority for planning permission. This seems to be a bit of a grey area and some installers seem to do it and others don t. More and more homes are having solar panels or solar tiles installed on their roofs.