Latest version of photovoltaic panel setting rules

Are solar photovoltaic panels part of a default package?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are expected to be part of a default package to meet forthcoming rules on the energy efficiency of homes and buildings in England, according to Government plans.

Do you need planning permission to install solar panels?

Current rules that require businesses to apply for planning permission if solar panels will generate more than one megawatt of electricity will also be scrapped, meaning organisations will be able to install more solar panels on rooftops without the delay and cost of applying for planning permission.

When will solar panels be mandatory?

In March 2024, the European Parliament approved a law requiring solar panels on all new residential buildings by 2030. The EU Solar Standard makes it mandatory for member states to gradually include solar installations in new public, commercial, and residential buildings.

Are solar panels a legal requirement for new homes?

Even though installing solar panels on new builds is a great way to set new homes up with renewable energy from day one, it’s not yet a legal requirement. One common problem is that developers don't use all the available roof space, resulting in a less effective solar panel system.

Are solar panels compulsory in the UK?

Following a consultation by the UK Government, Solar Energy UK predicts that compulsory solar panels will be included in the upcoming Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard (due for publication in late 2024). Are solar panels on new builds mandatory in Europe?

Will solar power be VAT-free in 2035?

The government has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 and to achieve a fivefold increase in solar power by 2035, boosting capacity from 14 gigawatts to 70 gigawatts. Solar panel installation has already been made VAT-free, in a move introduced by Rishi Sunak in the 2022 Spring Budget.