Solar Panels planning permission examples — what gets approved & refused
16,352 real decisions from 248 UK councils. See what actually gets approved, what gets refused, and why — so you don’t waste thousands on drawings for something your council will reject.
Last updated: March 2026
86.9%
approval rate across 16,352 decisions
That means roughly 1 in 8 solar panels applications are refused — often due to avoidable design issues.
16,352
Decisions
14,215
Approved
2,137
Refused
248
Councils
Solar panels have the highest approval rate of any project type. Applications typically only require planning permission in conservation areas, on listed buildings, or where panels would face a highway.
What these results show
• Solar panels on domestic properties are almost always permitted development.
• Applications are typically required in conservation areas, on listed buildings, or for ground-mounted arrays.
• Highway-facing panels on listed buildings are the most likely to be refused.
• The very high approval rate reflects strong national policy support for renewable energy.
⚠️ These are national examples. Your council could be stricter — or more lenient. See what actually gets approved on your street →
Real solar panels decisions
Real examples showing what works — and what gets refused. Use the filters to compare approved and refused applications.
Approved
Two storey extension to side of property to provide garage, enlarged living and additional bedroom accommodation. Pitched roof to be added over part of existing rear flat roof. Loft conversion to include dormer to rear and side of roof. Solar panels to be relocated.
▸ Two-storey approvals often involve setbacks from boundaries and matching materials.
Approved
Demolition of existing detached garage and relocation of existing side entrance to facilitate the construction of 2 storey, 3-bed end of terrace dwelling with habitable loft accommodation to include 3 x front roof lights, rear dormer and PV solar panels. Associated landscaping, amenity space, parkin
▸ Rear dormers are far more likely to be approved than front-facing ones.
Approved
Four Sycamore T1,T2, T3 & T4 - To section fell to ground level. Reason - To increase light to house and also to open up roof of log store for solar panels Two Sycamore T5 & T6 nearest drive - To remove Ivy on both trees to a height of 5m from ground level. To crown thin by 15%. On T6 there is a stem
Approved
Construction of new 315 (1.5FE) place primary school with 26 place nursery over two phases (1st phase 1FE 210 place with 26 place Nursery) associated playing fields, car parking (including lighting columns 4m high), lit service areas and sprinkler tank, hard surfaced outdoor play and footpaths. Sola
Approved
Retrospective application for installation of Solar PV panels on the flat roof of the existing college, generating capacity up to 150kW
Approved
Replacement of existing garage and carport with new garage incorporating a new pitched roof and solar photovoltaic panels.
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Refused
First floor extension over the existing garage, single storey rear extension and photovoltaic panels over the rear roof slopes (Amended 21.10.2025)
22/00386/FUL
Refused
Full planning application for the part conversion of existing roof terrace to habitable room and installation of Photovoltaic panels to flat roof.
Refused
Installation of a stoned access track, manoeuvring area to front of agricultural building and timber restroom (retrospective), installation of solar panels to rear roof slope
Approved
Application for Prior Approval under Schedule 2 Part 14 Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) for the installation of solar panels to the existing roof
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Full: Erection of front canopy, extension to provide two additional office rooms, demolition and extension of existing conservatory including incorporation of a balcony, insertion of rooflights and solar panels to roof.
SCC/23/0144/NMA
Approved
NMA: condition 26 (PD rights) platform, CCTV and solar panels - N.05/20/214 M
Approved
Two Storey Side Extension To Light Industrial Unit (Storage, Office/Meeting Room) And The Installation Of Solar Panels To The Roof
▸ Two-storey approvals often involve setbacks from boundaries and matching materials.
17/01037/CLP
Approved
Repositioning of Solar Panels and Installation of Velux Roof Windows to Front and Rear Elevations
Approved
Decarbonisation works including roof mounted solar PV array, VRV with external condenser and erection of a motorcycle candidate signing booth, a single-storey temporary external toilet facility and a two-storey temporary PAU accommodation building for the duration of the project.
▸ Two-storey approvals often involve setbacks from boundaries and matching materials.
Approved
T1 Sycamore - Reduce crown by up to 3m. It blocks sunlight onto the neighbours garden and solar panels. This will reduce the volume of the tree without substantially changing it shape or stature
Approved
Demolition of existing agricultural barn (which has class Q planning approval) to replace with new residential bungalow, solar panels on existing agricultural shed, garden pond and landscaping
Approved
Hip to gable roof extension with dormer to rear to create habitable accommodation in the loftspace, erect single storey side/rear extension with skylights, install solar PV and rooflights to front, alterations to elevations (amended proposal)
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Solar PV installation across 3 designated roof areas (mixed flat and pitched roofs)
Refused
Demolition of existing garage and associated outbuildings and proposed construction of two new dwellings with rooms in roof, including side dormers, solar panels and the re-alignment of gardens to number 6 & 8 Thynne Road.
Still scrolling?
You’re looking at national data. 13% of solar panels applications get refused — but that number could be higher or lower in your area.
See what gets approved near your home →
Refused
CERTIFICATE OF LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT (S192) FOR THE PROPOSED ERECTION OF SOLAR PANELS TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND 2 METRE HIGH SECURITY FENCING.
Refused
Discharge of conditions 3 (Window and door details) 4 (Roof slate sample) and 5 (Solar panel details) pursuant to planning permission S/0269/19/FL
Refused
Solar photovoltaic panels to roof. (Listed Building Consent).
P/20126/001
Refused
Construction of a 1no one bedroom end of terraced dwelling with 6no solar panels
Approved
Partial discharge of condition no. 3 (Materials - solar panels and rooflights only) attached to planning permission ref: 136746/FO/2023
Approved
Erection of a two-storey rear extension to main building with solar panels on roof for use as office; retention of ancillary bed & breakfast accommodation and part retention of licenced space, change of use of remainder to multi-use business and local community hub (including office and flexible wor
▸ Two-storey approvals often involve setbacks from boundaries and matching materials.
Approved
Non Material Amendment (Installation of solar panels to both pitched roof slopes of the approved garage building (instead of a single roof slope) and a minor repositioning of the garage to increase the separation distance between the garage and dwelling. No change to footprint, height, scale, design
22/00523/FUL
Approved
Installation of 28No. solar PV panels on roof of Community Centre.
Approved
To fit 60 solar pv panels to roof (referral from Carmarthenshire County Council)
Approved
An application for Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 14, Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) for the installation of solar PV panels on the roof of the building.
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Request for determination as to whether prior approval is required under Class J of Part 14 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) - Installation of rooftop solar PV system on Luton Sixth College roofs
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
R22/0890
Approved
Prior Approval for roof mounted solar PV on non-domestic building
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
The installation of 469 No roof mounted solar PV panels of total installed capacity 190.24kWp
Approved
Notification of installation of solar panels to roof of building
P/07050/012
Approved
Installation of 28 solar PV panels onto garage roof (14 panels on the east facin
Approved
The installation of a photovoltaic array comprising 32 No. photovoltaic panels on the south facing roof slope of the Masana Building, on land
Approved
LOFT CONVERSION, INSERTION OF ROOFLIGHTS, INSTALLTION OF P.V SOLAR PANELS AND CONSTRUCTION OF A REAR ROOF EXTENSION
Approved
Internal and external remodelling and alterations to include new link corridor to wellness and swimming pool building to replace existing studio and triple car garages. Landscaping works and new photovoltaic array
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
NON MATERIAL VARIATION OF PLANNING PERMISSION 19/0533/FUL TO OMIT TWO ROOFLIGHTS AND ADD A PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY
10/01145/LBC
Approved
Alternative position for the installation of two solar panels located on a new roof to the East Elevation (amendment to 09/00458/LBCLO)
09/01411/LBC
Approved
Alterations to listed building and installation of solar panels
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
09/01714/NMA
Refused
Non Material Amendment to planning consent 08/01717/DET. - Incorporating change to roof pitch, installation of solar panels, reduction of house length and repositioning of windows and doors.
Refused
Add external wall insulation, alter roof form, add solar PV, add rear terrace, vary window and door positions, extend garage/store room, internal layout changes.
Refused
Non-material amendment to 22/00089/FUL to increase the height, create additional openings, create outside pen, alterations to size and position of roller shutter door, change of material to roof and installation of solar panels on roof
24/01135/DPAR
Refused
Determination under Schedule 2, Part 14, Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 as to whether prior approval is required for the installation of Photovoltaic Panels on the roof of the building.
Refused
Prior Approval Application for the installation of solar panels to the roof.
Refused
Non material amendment to planning permission 19/01568/FUL for amendments to house types on plots 1, 2,4, 14,15, and 18 including amendments to attached garages and modifications to roof to accommodate solar panels
Refused
Demolition of single storey extension to rear; construction of two storey extension at rear; dormer to side; installation of solar panels to side and rear of medical centre (Class E)
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
Refused
Prior notification for the installation and operation of rooftop mounted PV Solar Panels measuring 450kWp and all associated works
Refused
Works to install solar panels to south-facing pitch of the tiled cart barn roof
Refused
Maple tree (TPO849) - whole crown reduction to <7 m above ground level, or complete removal of the tree to provide enough sunlight to our (obscuring solar panels) and neighbourhood properties. We have had multiple neighbours complaining several times about blocked view/sunlight and leaves and seeds
▸ Loss of light to a neighbour’s property is a frequent refusal trigger.
Approved
CERTIFICATE OF LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PV ARRAY, SWITCH GEAR HOUSING UNIT AND UNDERGROUND CABLING.
Approved
Provision of photovoltaic solar park and ancillary infrastructure
Approved
Felling of 1 no. Acer campestre to allow light to other trees and shrubs, neighbouring property and solar panels.
Approved
Major Development of a Photovoltaic Electricity Production Facility with Capacity of up to 35MW, Together with a Battery Energy Storage System with Capacity of up to 14.9MW and Associated Infrastructure
W/24/0592
Approved
Installation of a 172.78 KWp Solar PV system with 326 x 530 w panels
Approved
Alterations to dwellinghouse, formation of decking and erection of solar panels
Approved
Installation of Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System
Approved
Erection of photovoltaic solar farm comprising ground mounted fixed solar panels, access tracks, and associated infrastructure (Environmental Impact Assessment).
21/03239/FUL
Approved
Erection of photovoltaic solar farm comprising ground mounted fixed solar panels, access tracks, and associated infrastructure (Environmental Impact Assessment).
Before you spend £2,000+ on drawings — and risk getting refused
Your council may refuse the exact thing that got approved two boroughs away. See what actually gets approved near your property first.
See real decisions near your home →Don’t rely on national averages — see what happens on your street.
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