If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your home or business, we can help. Solar Power NI offers professional installation services and full planning assistance to get the most out of your investment in renewable energy.
Solar panel installation for your home, business, or community building
If you are considering solar panel installation for your home, business, or community building, Solar Power NI can provide a full service from survey through to planning permission and installation. We look at the following aspects when installing solar panels:
Your energy requirements, with regard to how much electricity you use each day and how much power is available in the area of your property to drive the generation of this electricity on site.
The type of site available for us to install our solar PV system on your property. Most properties have some form of land area that could be used for generating solar power including roofs, ground-level areas like courtyards/gardens, and car parks where there is no need for planning permission provided it does not cover more than 50% of an occupied car park (or 10% if it covers more than 50%).
Solar PV installation
Solar PV (photovoltaic) systems are the most common type of solar energy installation. They convert sunlight directly into electricity, which can be used to power your home or sold back to your electricity supplier.
Solar thermal systems use heat from the sun’s rays to heat water for domestic hot water supply and/or space heating. Solar water heating is a great way to reduce your energy bills and help protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuels used for heating.
Solar PV installations generate electricity directly from sunlight; solar thermal installations use sunlight indirectly by using it to create heat that can be stored in tanks which are then used as required — either for providing hot water or space heating, depending on what type of system you have installed at home!
Full service from survey through to planning permission and installation
Solar Power NI can provide you with a full service from survey through to planning permission and installation. We look at the following aspects when installing solar panels:
- Roof suitability
- Existing conditions of the roof (type, age, and condition)
- Solar panel location on your roof (location)
- Grid connection options available for your area and type of home
1. Roof suitability
Before you begin installing solar panels, you will need to make sure that your roof is suitable for them. This means that it must be structurally sound and able to support the weight of the panels and withstand all weather conditions. Once you have done this, you can start installing your solar panels.
As a rule of thumb, if your roof is less than 15 years old then it should be fine. However, if it was installed more than 20 years ago, it is always a good idea to get your roof properly inspected by a professional first. Any loose tiles or signs of degrading will need to be assessed before laying down any money on these expensive pieces of machinery – better safe than sorry!
2. Angle and orientation of the roof
The majority of roofs in Northern Ireland are suitable for solar panels, but not all, so it is important that a few factors are assessed first:
- The angle of the roof
- The orientation of the roof (south-facing, east-facing, etc.)
Obviously, these things can vary considerably from home to home. In order to not require planning permission, the panels must not protrude more than 0.2 meters above the roof slope. So we always need to ensure this is possible to do, roof by roof dependent.
3. Shading over the course of the day and year
The third factor is shading. As you know, solar panels will only produce electricity when they are exposed to sunlight. If something blocks their exposure to the sun, they won’t work—and that’s bad news for your energy bill.
The types of things that can shade panel arrays include:
- The position of other buildings and trees in relation to yours (if you’re building new)
- The angle at which your roof slopes away from the sun
4. Any alterations needed to your roof to accept the solar panels
If you are planning on installing solar panels, you may need to make alterations to your roof. This could include cutting a hole in it for an access point, adding fixings and supports for the panels, and altering gutters or chimneys. If these types of work are carried out without planning permission (or with incorrect planning permission) it can lead to enforcement action from your local council.
While solar panels themselves very rarely require planning permission to be installed, alterations to the design of your roof structure might require planning permission.
Do you need planning permission for solar panels?
Solar panels are generally classed as ‘Permitted Development’, therefore planning permission is generally no longer necessary.
When the Government extended Permitted Development Rights, they removed the requirement for planning permission to install a solar PV system or solar thermal system. It is worth noting that there are sometimes ownership as well as planning considerations to bear in mind when dealing with commercial properties. However, this does come with certain criteria to follow in order to meet the regulations.
When is planning permission required for solar panels?
If you wish to install solar panels on a flat roof, you will most likely require planning permission. The reason for this is that solar panels on a flat roof are usually placed in frames to create an angle towards the sun. This means they typically need to protrude more than 0.2 meters above the roof slope which is contrary to the permitted development guidelines.
Listed buildings
Many Listed Buildings require planning permission too, and some might be refused solar panels to keep in with the style of the building. If you do own a listed building, you first require listed building consent followed by applying for planning permission.
Conservation area
If you live in a conservation area, it may be possible to install a solar PV system under permitted development rights. However, a planning application would be required to ensure you’re not breaching any regulations for the area.
