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.
Building regulation approval for solar panels.
Some strengthening work may be needed.
Local authorities are responsible for compliance with the building regulations and most will have a dedicated building control department.
Scotland has some additional rules regarding solar panels on exterior walls blocks or flats and flat roofed buildings.
This seems to be a bit of a grey area and some installers seem to do it and others don t.
Listed buildings and world heritage sites.
An increasing number of people are investing in solar energy.
Of course with such installations the topic of planning permission and building regulations often comes to the surface.
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.
The issue here is whether the existing roof wil be able to take the extra roof loadings that solar panels will impose on it.
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.
The ability of the existing roof to carry the load weight of the panel will need to be checked and proven.
Building regulations also apply to other aspects of the work such as electrical installation.
There are however important limits and conditions detailed on the following pages which must be met to benefit from these permitted development rights.
Building control local authorities.
If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply.