Solar Panels planning permission examples — what gets approved & refused
19,169 real decisions from 313 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: August 2026
87.3%
approval rate across 19,169 decisions
That means roughly 1 in 8 solar panels applications are refused — often due to avoidable design issues.
19,169
Decisions
16,737
Approved
2,432
Refused
313
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
Application Reference Number: DM/2023/01387Date of Decision: 01/04/2025Condition Number(s): 2Conditions(s) Removal:Amend materials from brickwork to render, artificial slate to roof, and provide solar panels to roof.
Approved
Installation of external 1st floor door and formation of first floor roof terrace with railing. Installation of photovoltaic slates to existing single storey extension. Erection of outbuilding following the demolition of the existing outbuilding
▸ A roof that matches the existing house signals good design to planning officers.
Refused
Erection of a first floor extension with monopitched roof, three rooflights and solar panels, single storey side and rear extensions, front/side porch, a platform lift and level access, alteration of roofs to monopitched, a carport attached to garage and alteration of garage roof to flat roof. Insta
Approved
PART DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DETACHED GARAGE AND REBUILT AS EXTENDED DETACHED DOUBLE GARAGE WITH ACCOMMODATION IN ROOF SPACE (ANCILLARY TO MAIN DWELLING & INCLUDING HOME OFFICE USE), AND NEW EXTERNAL ACCESS STAIR, AS WELL AS SOLAR PANEL...
Approved
Section 73 application for variation of condition 2 (in accordance with drawings) of planning permission ref 23/03522/FUL granted 26/04/2024 for Demolition of the existing building which contains a commercial unit on part of the ground floor, a 3-bedroom maisonette and a 1-bedroom flat. Erection of
13/P/4/0144
Approved
ERECTION OF 10 DWELLINGHOUSES (2 SEMI-DETACHED AND 8 TERRACED), ERECTION OF HEAT STORE, ERECTION OF GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS, INSTALLATION OF SEPTIC TANK, SOAKAWAY AND REED BED SYSTEM AND FORMATION OF ACCESS
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
Retrospective application for additional works to approved planning permission 19/00519/FUL. Additional work to include enlarged outbuilding to connect to extension, rooflight lantern to kitchen, solar panels on roof, wider garage door, and new front boundary walls and gates.
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
Prior approval for installation of photovoltaic array to flat roof
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Prior approval is sought for the installation of a Solar Photovoltaic Array comprising 138 panels and 1 inverter set across 4 out of 5 of the roof planes of the two-storey building (covering 276 sqm in area and generating 59Kw of renewable...
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
17/01037/CLP
Approved
Repositioning of Solar Panels and Installation of Velux Roof Windows to Front and Rear Elevations
Approved
NMA: condition 26 (PD rights) platform, CCTV and solar panels - N.05/20/214 M
Approved
Application for Listed Building Consent - Installation of 13 solar panels to the rear extension roof. Replacement of wooden gate with automated wooden gate.
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
Approved
26/00615/FUL - Non-Material Minor Amendment to allow for reduction in the number of PV solar panels from 15 to 12 with distribution amended to 10 on the main house roof and 2 on the rear southerly facing roof of the attached single storey side garage
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
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
Prior Approval for Installation of solar panels to flat roofs and associated equipment
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
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
Installation of Photovoltaic Panels on roof existing warehouse
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 →
2025/1035/PSP
Approved
Prior Approval installation of Solar Panels onto the existing roof.
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Prior approval application for proposed installation of No. 299 solar photovoltaic panels and associated equipment on pitched roofs of hospital building (maximum output 125.58 kWp).
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Demolition of existing garage, construction of replacement garage with carport and installation of rear rooflights. Retiling of main property roof and alteration to position of solar panels on rear roof slope.
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Installation of 110no. Solar PV Array (48.4kWp) equipment on flat roofs of a non-domestic building (Wood Green Secondary School)
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.
Approved
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 a solar PV equipment on the roof (Block Building FOO) at University Hospital, Lewisham High Street SE13.
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Erection of a single-storey rear extension, demolition of existing chimney, external and internal alteration including increase in roof height, alterations to fenestration, installation of rooflights, solar panels, and an air source heat pump.
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.
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
ERECTION OF TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION, REPLACEMENT ROOF TO CONSERVATORY, INSTALLATION OF ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS AND CHANGE OF USE TO 10 BEDROOM HOUSE IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION TOGETHER WITH PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL CAR PARKING, CYCLE STORAGE AND BIN STORES
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
Refused
HOUSEHOLDER: Install a Timber framed building to provide undercover parking and general household storage. On the rear (south side) of the roof install a 4.5kwh solar panel system
Refused
Solar photovoltaic panels to roof. (Listed Building Consent).
Approved
Prior approval for proposed installation of solar PV panels to roof
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
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.
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
Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Installation of a 124kWp roof-mounted solar photovoltaic array comprising 192 solar panels fixed to the south facing existing metal overclad roof of the non-domestic building. The panels will be mounted on a proprietary rail syst
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Prior approval application for the proposed development is the installation of Solar PV panels on the roof of an existing motorstore at Arnold Clark's Leyland Motorstore site. This includes the installation of 274x455Wp solar panels, their mounting system, cabling and inverters. The total proposed s
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
Approved
Application to determine if Prior Approval is required for a proposed Installation, Alteration or Replacement of other Solar Photovoltaics (PV) equipment on the Roofs of Non-domestic - Buildings The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) - Schedul
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Notification of installation of solar panels to roof of building
Approved
Prior Approval for the installation of Roof Mounted Solar PV Panels
▸ Prior approval applications that meet the criteria are rarely refused.
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
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
Installation of external wall insulation system and solar panels to roof of care home.
25/01220/DIS
Approved
Application for approval of details reserved by condition 5 (Details of solar panels) of listed building consent 25/00148/LBC for works.
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
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
Installation of 575.6kWp of solar photovoltaic panels and ancillary equipment on the east and west facing roof pitches of the building.
Refused
Proposed demolition of existing annex and erection of two storey annex and two storey gym, and proposed installation of solar panels on the existing stable/barn
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
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
Works to install solar panels to south-facing pitch of the tiled cart barn roof
Approved
EIA Screening Opinion request for ground mounted solar photovoltaics, native tree planting and biodiversity enhancements.
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.
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
21/03239/FUL
Approved
Erection of photovoltaic solar farm comprising ground mounted fixed solar panels, access tracks, and associated infrastructure (Environmental Impact Assessment).
Approved
Installation of Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System
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