Solar panels for period homes, listed buildings and country properties
A practical guide to planning, permissions and sympathetic solar design.
Solar panels can be installed on many period homes, listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, although planning rules and the character of your home may influence the design. Fortunately, an experienced solar installer should be able to help you find compliant ways to generate your own renewable electricity while being sensitive to your property’s appearance, age and structure.
In this article, we look at solar panels and planning permission, the rules for listed and period homes, and how a well-designed system can work with – rather than against – the features that make your home special.
Can you put solar panels on period homes?
For most homeowners, solar panels fall under permitted developments, which doesn’t require planning permission. However, as Carl Hogg, our managing Director for Services, advises: “There are certain types of homes – listed buildings or if it’s in a conservation area – where there may be some restrictions, so you may need some permissions.”
Once a building is listed, its architectural or historic significance is protected, which can place additional restrictions on physical alterations to the property. But, that doesn’t automatically mean solar panels are off the table.
For Mary in Kent, strict local council regulations meant that standard solar panels were not permitted, as their modern appearance clashed with the home’s distinctive burnt red roof tiles. To meet aesthetic requirements, Good Energy sourced burnt red solar panels from Italy. These panels blended seamlessly with the roof tiles, satisfying council stipulations and preserving the home’s character.
The key consideration is usually the impact that the installation could have on the special architectural or historic character of the building. That could influence decisions such as the layout and appearance of the array and how visible they are from public areas.
Do solar panels work well for period properties?
Solar can be a particularly worthwhile upgrade for period properties since they’re often less energy efficient buildings than newer homes and can be more difficult to improve through conventional measures. Traditional stone walls, single-pane windows and older heating systems can all contribute to lower EPC ratings and higher energy needs, while some energy-efficiency improvements may not be practical or appropriate for an older property.
Additionally, if you have a larger property with a bigger kitchen, a swimming pool or other energy-intensive features, there can be even more electricity to account for. Solar can help reduce the amount you need to buy from the grid, bringing modern energy savings to your home without compromising on character.
This is all especially relevant now, as making the UK’s historic homes more energy efficient has been highlighted an important part of the transition to Net Zero.
Can solar panels complement a period property?
If you’ve spent years looking after the character of an older home, appearance might be just as important as performance for you. A well considered solar design can look at where panels will be least prominent while still generating plenty of electricity.
On some homes, that might mean choosing a less visible roof elevation. On others, it could mean installing panels on a garage, extension or outbuilding instead. The same consideration can be given to the less visible parts of your system, such as where the inverter and battery (if you opt to add one to your system) are installed.
In-roof solar panels, which sit flush with the roofline, can be a great option for creating a more discreet finish. This reduced visual impact may make your planning application more likely to be accepted.
What’s the process for installing solar on a listed building?
1. Check the condition of your roof
Before thinking about panel placement, your installer will need to make sure your roof is suitable for solar. Period properties may have slate, clay tiles or other traditional roofing materials that require additional care during installation. Your installer should assess the structure, condition and covering of your roof and identify anything that needs addressing.
If your roof is approaching the point where major repairs or replacement will be needed, you may need to complete these works before installation. However, in-roof solar panels could also be integrated into your plans at this stage.
2. Check whether you need listed building consent
Listed building consent will usually be needed if installing solar panels would affect the character of your listed property. Depending on your proposed system and property, you may need planning permission too.
Requirements vary by region, so we recommend that you speak to your local planning authority before work begins. They can confirm which permissions apply to your home and what information you’ll need to provide.
3. Design your system around the building
A good solar design needs to consider more than how much electricity the panels will generate. They’ll also need to think about how the installation could affect the building’s historic character.
This could mean positioning panels on a less prominent roof slope, choosing a simple arrangement that complements the shape of the roof, or opting for in-roof panels.
4. Apply for listed building consent
You can apply for listed building consent through your local planning authority, either directly or through the Planning Portal.
Your application will need to show what you’re proposing and how the solar installation will affect the character of the building. Depending on the project, this could include:
- Detailed plans and drawings of the proposed installation.
- Information about the position, colour, finish and arrangement of the panels.
- A heritage statement explaining the significance of the property.
- An assessment of the impact your proposed changes could have on that significance.
- A design and access statement.
Our team are highly experienced with solar installation for listed buildings, and can provide all of the technical plans and information you need to support your application.
5. Wait for approval before installation
Your local planning authority will assess the proposed installation and its impact on the listed building before deciding whether to grant consent.
Listed building consent applications typically take around eight weeks to determine, although more complex applications can take longer. You may also be asked to provide additional information or make changes to the design, particularly for more historically significant properties such as Grade I.
Make sure you have any necessary consent in place before installation work begins. Carrying out unauthorised work that affects the character of a listed building can be a criminal offence.
6. Get your solar panels installed
Once you’ve received the necessary approvals, your solar installation can go ahead. Our installers treat every home with respect, and will take particular care with your roof.
The installation itself will then follow much the same process as solar panels on any other home, from putting up scaffolding and fitting the panels to connecting your inverter and getting your system ready to generate.
Period homes have already stood the test of time, and making them fit for a lower-carbon future is an important part of reducing the environmental impact of the UK’s housing. Thoughtfully introducing clean energy technology like solar is one way to bring these homes into the future while continuing to enjoy them for generations to come.
A bespoke solar design can help you generate more of your own renewable electricity without losing sight of what makes your home special.
