South Gloucestershire Council is keen to promote energy efficiency throughout the area. The Council would encourage planning applications for the installation of domestic energy efficient equipment for example, solar panels. However the Council also has a duty to protect the quality of the existing built and natural environments.
Solar Panels - Dwellinghouses
Generally, you may not need to apply for planning permission to install solar panels on a wall and roof if
1. the panel(s) would not protrude more than 200 mm beyond the plane of the wall or the roof slope, and
2. the highest part of the panel(s) would not higher than the highest part of the original roof
If you live in a Conservation Area or your property is a listed building or curtilige listed, it is likely that you will need to apply for planning permission to install solar panel(s).
Other installations of micro-renewable energy on or within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse
In some cases installation of other micro-renewable energy, such as ground source heat pump, water source heat pump, air sourse heat pump, biomass heating system, a flue forming part of a combined heat and power system, would be permitted development, provided that the installation would meet certain conditions.
However, if the house is a listed building, or within the curtilage of a listed building, conservation area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you will need to apply for planning permission.