Solar panels

Solar panels can generally be installed on the roofs or walls of houses within Dartmoor National Park without planning permission, provided they meet the following conditions:

• Pitched roofs: Panels must not extend above the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys) or project more than 200mm beyond the roof slope.
• Flat roofs: Panels must not extend more than 600mm above the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys). Within the National Park, a prior approval application must be submitted to the Authority before installation.
• Walls: Panels must not project more than 200mm from walls adjoining a highway, or 400mm from other walls.
• Conservation areas: Panels must not be installed on walls, balconies or roof enclosures which front a highway.
• Listed buildings: Permitted development rights do not apply to solar panels installed on listed houses or buildings within their curtilage. Planning permission will therefore be required, and listed building consent may also be necessary.
• Scheduled monuments: Solar panels cannot be installed on scheduled monuments under permitted development rights.

Panels must be positioned, as far as practicable, to minimise their impact on the appearance of the building and the surrounding area, and must be removed when no longer required.

Additional restrictions apply to certain plug-in solar installations, including installations on timber-clad surfaces.

These rules apply to domestic installations. Different requirements apply to non-domestic buildings, blocks of flats and ground-mounted solar panels.

Permitted development rights may also be restricted by planning conditions or Article 4 Directions.