Because of the current social and economic climate in the UK and with sharp rises in the cost of living and energy bills, many members of the public are now seeking to ‘take power’ back into their own hands.
The benefits of installing solar panels in the home have been well-known for over a decade. It is intended that they end up paying for themselves in the long run, and some households are able to redistribute and sell excess power back to the energy grid.
With the rising costs in domestic energy and the gradual improvements in solar panel technology (and, therefore, subsequent falling prices), many households can see the wise investment that creating their own renewable energy at home provides.
You’re probably already aware of the many benefits that installing solar panels can bring. In this blog post, we aim to answer the questions you may have about solar panel installation regulations in the UK.
Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels?
In most cases, planning permission is no longer required to install solar panels on the roof of your private home. This is because, in most cases, planning laws consider it to be within permitted development.
Although the general rule is that it is unnecessary to seek planning permission when installing domestic solar panels, there are several exceptions to the rule.
Solar Panel Installation Regulations: Planning Permission Exceptions
If your property is situated in a conservation area, it may be possible to install solar panels under Permitted Rights. However, if you’re planning to install the panels in a way that would be visible from a highway, a planning application and consent from the local authority will be necessary.
It is also possible that the Permitted Development rights have previously been removed from your property as a condition of the original planning permission application or due to the property being situated within an area of conservation. This information can easily be accessed by contacting your local planning authority.
Can I Install Solar Panels on a Listed Building?
Installing solar panels on a listed building may also bring some additional complications. It is certainly possible, but it might be subject to several additional conditions and solar panel installation regulations.
Amongst other things, a Listed Building is protected against any developments that could alter or extend the building/site.
Homeowners should know whether or not their property is protected as a Listed Building, but information may also be found using online search tools such as the National Heritage List for England, or Cof Cymru – National Historic Assets of Wales.
Listed Building Consent will need to be granted prior to the installation of solar panels, or any development that would affect the characteristics of the building. This is separate from planning permission, and will be granted by the local authority, often with conditions regarding the placement, design, and number of solar panels to be installed.
For a consultation regarding solar panel installation regulations in the UK, and whether you need planning permission for solar panels on your property, get in touch with the expert residential conveyancing team at Howells Solicitors.
Can My Neighbours Object to My Solar Panels?
If your installation meets UK solar panel installation regulations, or you have received the necessary planning permission, there is likely nothing your neighbours can do to block or dispute the installation of solar panels on your property.
However, there are a few ways in which you can limit the impact that your new solar panels have on your neighbours.
Take visual considerations into account, keeping solar panels out of view from both neighbouring properties and public roads wherever possible.
We also strongly recommend notifying your neighbours ahead of time when doing any type of major external works on your property, including solar panel installations, so they are informed of both the noise and any potential visible impact.
While it’s unlikely that your neighbours hold any power over your installation of solar panels, it’s always a good idea to be on good terms with those who could potentially impact your way of life through installations and projects of their own.
Do You Pay Tax on Domestic Solar Panels in the UK?
No, there will be no tax on domestic solar panels in the UK until at least 2027.
Ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak cut the VAT on energy-efficient systems within the home from 5% to zero as of April 2022, until 2027.
As part of the UK initiative to tackle the cost of energy crisis and push green energy into private households, the cut in VAT applies to installations of solar panels, electric heat pumps, and insulation, allowing households to save significantly on their energy investments.
Is the Energy Sold Back to the Grid Tax-Free?
Perhaps the most appealing feature of owning solar panels is the idea of selling any excess energy produced during peak times back to the grid.
Prior to 2019, solar panel owners could apply for the Feed-in Tariff, which allowed them to sell excess power back to the grid for additional tax-free income.
This scheme was closed to new applications in 2019, though successful applicants are still eligible for 20 years following their application date. The scheme was replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) in 2020.
Compared to the previous Feed-in Tariff, the SEG features a few drawbacks, including significantly lower payments for selling energy back to the grid. This dropped from over 40p per kwh of energy exported under the initial scheme to between only 6-9p per kwh (Federation of Master Builders, 2022).
Income generated under the new SEG scheme is still tax-free, although the significant reduction in payments compared to the Feed-in Tariff impacts the amount of profit that can be made from domestic solar panels.
To qualify for the SEG scheme, you must have a smart meter that can provide readings every half-hour, along with an MCS certification confirming you meet solar panel installation regulations.
Can I Take My Solar Panels with Me When I Move Home?
Absolutely. As your new property is likely to have Permitted Development, you are also unlikely to run into any legal issues when removing and reinstalling your solar panels elsewhere.
However, removing and reinstalling your solar panels may cause more headaches than they are worth.
Firstly, your solar panels were purchased and installed with your current property in mind, and may therefore not be perfectly suited to the size, shape, and location of your new home. The solar panels may simply not be able to capture the same amount of sun exposure as at your previous home.
Secondly, the process of removing, transporting, and reinstalling the solar panels will be labour-intensive, expensive, and may also void any existing warranty on your panels.
Finally, selling your property with solar panels included is an extremely attractive feature for buyers, as they will benefit from free electricity and profit from additional energy as soon as they take ownership of the home.
Selling your property with solar panels might allow you to increase the listing price by a greater amount than the initial cost of installing them, while also saving you the headaches associated with removing and reinstalling the panels at your new property.
Mis-sold solar panels
The installation of solar panels has given rise to litigation against the suppliers or installers of the panels.
Most complaints arise when third-party funders provide loans for the purchase and installation of the panels. For example, there are some complaints arising out of the Green Deal. This was a government scheme where the upfront cost of installation was covered by a loan which the homeowner then repaid through their electricity bills. Claims arise when buyers were not informed that it was a loan, or the loan’s terms were misrepresented.
A mis-sale claim also sometimes arises in instances where the installers have provided figures for the energy supplied by the panels if they’re installed in one of the sunniest parts of the country, when they are actually installed in an area with exceptionally high rainfall, for example.
Other complaints arise in circumstances such as:
- Solar panels were not required
- The roof was not suitable for panels
- The necessity for consent was not brought to the buyer’s attention and was ignored
- The electricity meter is not compatible with the solar panel
As well as Court proceedings, complaints can be raised with the Energy Ombudsman, and, if you are not happy with their response, with the Secretary of State. If the Secretary of State’s final notice is not to the homeowner’s linking, an appeal lies with the First Tier Tribunal.
Find Out More by Contacting Howells
To learn more about solar panel installation regulations in the UK, or for any other legal needs relating to your home, get in touch with the conveyancing team at Howells Solicitors.
