Home solar array planning permission.

Bartyfixedit

Bartyfixedit

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I am considering a solar setup at home using a ground mount array. Has anyone on here done this? I understand that I will need planning permission (around 6kw of panels).
Was it a big problem?
 
Bartyfixedit said:
I am considering a solar setup at home using a ground mount array. Has anyone on here done this? I understand that I will need planning permission (around 6kw of panels).
Was it a big problem?
Click to expand...
We were limited to 4kW by the electricity supplier for a domestic installation. Your installer should be able to advise on permission to connect more than this. You will need to jump through a few more hoops to go bigger than 4kW and you need permission from the electricity supplier before connection. Up to 16A or just under 4kW you can connect to the grid and the installer must advise the electricity supplier (DNO) within 28 days.

"The DNO will carry out a network study (which it may charge you for) to ensure that the local grid network can take the
extra power that your solar PV system will generate. If the local grid network needs extra work before it can accept your
connection, this will have to be done at your own cost. The DNO has 45 days to provide you with a quotation for this
work; it must be able to justify the costs it wants to charge, and this is regulated by Ofgem." Energy Saving Trust.

Hope this helps.
 
Ah, thanks for that.
Is the supplier the electricity company ie edf or national grid?
 
Have you got a pool you can heat ?
or underfloor heating you can leave on year around ?

As biggest issue seems to be persuading the local Electricity board to buy your spare power, and even then they will charge you for the privilege and then offer peanuts.

It may be worth exploring the local area to see if there are some cars you could charge.

My brother has a water mill, he also has a number of close neighbours including a hotel and golf club.
He could generate enough power to run 10-15 big old houses (assuming they all had electrical heating and a pool), even at todays silly prices he is not permitted to sell the electricity at a commercial level unless he sets up as a electrical supply company which costs hundreds of thousands of pounds as you have to be a member of OFFWAT etc..
So every day tens of thousands of gallons of water flows through the mill and the power is wasted and all the neighbours pay the local electrical board for power ....
 
The inverter I am looking at can limit feed in current. Will that do?

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Why does that not surprise me? A water mill? Hmmmmm. Nice.
 
Brains said:
Have you got a pool you can heat ?
or underfloor heating you can leave on year around ?

As biggest issue seems to be persuading the local Electricity board to buy your spare power, and even then they will charge you for the privilege and then offer peanuts.

It may be worth exploring the local area to see if there are some cars you could charge.

My brother has a water mill, he also has a number of close neighbours including a hotel and golf club.
He could generate enough power to run 10-15 big old houses (assuming they all had electrical heating and a pool), even at todays silly prices he is not permitted to sell the electricity at a commercial level unless he sets up as a electrical supply company which costs hundreds of thousands of pounds as you have to be a member of OFFWAT etc..
So every day tens of thousands of gallons of water flows through the mill and the power is wasted and all the neighbours pay the local electrical board for power ....
Click to expand...
Why does that not surprise me? A water mill? Hmmmmm. Nice.
Finally sorted the reply with quote :giggle:
 
We've just had a 5KW system installed complete with 5KW battery and inverter
We didn't need planning permission - we didn't pay for surveys either and we had it fitted in one day


We had a Air Source Heat Pump installed at the same time complete with new heating system (ours was circa 1950's/60's) the whole system took 2 days to fit so we lived in our motorhome on the drive and we did get a grant towards it which have been extended again so you can get £5000 off

Cost us a fair bit but now all paperwork is sorted which took 6-8 weeks we have asked Octopus energy to give us a new tariff so we can also supply power to the grid after looking at the options we decided to go with the 15p /KW supply one
Our out going Electric now costs us around £24 a month including Standing Charge so once we get the new tariff we will be in profit not paying them

Was going to include a photo but until I launch the drone haven't got a clear one of them -we live in an East /West facing house and have more sun on the West so 10 panels on the West side and 6 panels on the East side

Oh Yes make sure the TV aerial isn't over them you will find pigeons LOVE to shit all over them - we ended up moving the TV aerial to stop them
 
Madcaravanner said:
We've just had a 5KW system installed complete with 5KW battery and inverter
We didn't need planning permission - we didn't pay for surveys either and we had it fitted in one day


We had a Air Source Heat Pump installed at the same time complete with new heating system (ours was circa 1950's/60's) the whole system took 2 days to fit so we lived in our motorhome on the drive and we did get a grant towards it which have been extended again so you can get £5000 off

Cost us a fair bit but now all paperwork is sorted which took 6-8 weeks we have asked Octopus energy to give us a new tariff so we can also supply power to the grid after looking at the options we decided to go with the 15p /KW supply one
Our out going Electric now costs us around £24 a month including Standing Charge so once we get the new tariff we will be in profit not paying them

Was going to include a photo but until I launch the drone haven't got a clear one of them -we live in an East /West facing house and have more sun on the West so 10 panels on the West side and 6 panels on the East side

Oh Yes make sure the TV aerial isn't over them you will find pigeons LOVE to shit all over them - we ended up moving the TV aerial to stop them
Click to expand...
Interesting. The research I have done seems to indicate that roof mounted is not a problem up to 4kw, but ground mounted needs permission. It makes sense I suppose.
Were you already with Octopus energy? I am staying with edf at the moment to stay out of contract. Is it worth changing to octopus now or wait?
Cheers,
David.
 
I would highly recommend Octopus as they have tariffs specifically for solar/battery setups. I am moving to their Agile tariff, charging the batteries with cheap early morning electricity and feeding in during the day when the costs go up. Octopus don’t lock you in and are happy to change your tariff any time you wish.

If you use this link we will share £100:
share.octopus.energy

Octopus Energy

The UK's most awarded energy supplier. We're doing energy better - for you and the environment.
share.octopus.energy share.octopus.energy

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Gromett said:
Up to a certain size no planning required. But only if the first one.

Planning Permission: Stand alone solar equipment (panels not on a building but within the grounds of a house or a block of flats) - Solar panels - Planning Portal

Guidance on the permitted development rules for stand alone domestic solar panels and if you need to apply for planning permission
www.planningportal.co.uk www.planningportal.co.uk
Click to expand...
Bernie P said:
I think you'll find that Planning Permission is not required and it is classed as "permitted development".

Here is the primary legislation:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/14/made
Click to expand...
Thank you both for that. I had looked on my local council website and that info was not shown.

Section B is applicable. ie curtilage.

I hope to put the panels close to a boundary fence, so within 5m. My neighbour is happy with that as the array would be below the top of the fence and so invisible to him.

9m2 is below 2kw of panel and so not really viable.

I presume that I would have to have proper working drawings for an application. I wonder if the installers are set up for that?

I shall talk to some local installers and see what they say.

Cheers,
David.
 
Bartyfixedit said:
I am considering a solar setup at home using a ground mount array. Has anyone on here done this? I understand that I will need planning permission (around 6kw of panels).
Was it a big problem?
Click to expand...
Are you planning on installing the system yourself? It isn't difficult, especially working on the ground.

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Bolti said:
Are you planning on installing the system yourself? It isn't difficult, especially working on the ground.
Click to expand...
Yes. I was planning using galvanised scaffold tube as per here

Interclamp Tube Clamps – UK Fittings | The Metal Store

Buy a wide variety of Interclamp tube clamp fittings online today from our extensive collection, all available with 1-3 day delivery.
www.themetalstore.co.uk www.themetalstore.co.uk
I would go for adjustable inclination.
Having to go for planning is a bit of a pain.
 
Bartyfixedit said:
Interesting. The research I have done seems to indicate that roof mounted is not a problem up to 4kw, but ground mounted needs permission. It makes sense I suppose.
Were you already with Octopus energy? I am staying with edf at the moment to stay out of contract. Is it worth changing to octopus now or wait?
Cheers,
David.
Click to expand...
No we were with EON and couldn't wait to dump them they constantly wanted us to pay more and altered the Direct Debit which we then had to alter back every month to an affordable level which still covered the electric used

Yes Octopus are good especially on the phone good advice given every time
 
Bartyfixedit said:
Yes. I was planning using galvanised scaffold tube as per here

Interclamp Tube Clamps – UK Fittings | The Metal Store

Buy a wide variety of Interclamp tube clamp fittings online today from our extensive collection, all available with 1-3 day delivery.
www.themetalstore.co.uk www.themetalstore.co.uk
I would go for adjustable inclination.
Having to go for planning is a bit of a pain.
Click to expand...
Phone your local council planning office and speak to them. I have always found mine helpful when planning projects.
Find out who your DNO are and ask them if your plan sounds feasible. Your DNO can be found here
You are allowed to install a 3.6 kw inverter and panels ( upto limit inverter can handle) without permission but must inform the DNO within 28 days, (G98 application) mine is on the garage, do you not fancy a shed? There is always another way to skin a cat. At the moment I have just applied to my DNO for battery storage I have sent in the application fast track G99. They should reply within 45 days, they need to ensure my area grid connections are able to handle extra capacity. Though as a self installer you will not receive any payments for any electricity returned to the grid, it is a case of use it or lose it so a solar diverter is also a requirement to your system to make the most of energy produced.Any questions I will try to answer.

National Grid - Fast track (G99)

National Grid Electricity Distribution is the regional electricity distribution division of National Grid.
connections.nationalgrid.co.uk connections.nationalgrid.co.uk
 
The way its gone, I'm of the opinion that for a lot of people greater savings are to be had from batteries, with the added benefit that they retain a value and can move house with you if necessary. There are probably bigger gains to be had by charging at low rate and using battery to cover the peaks, than everyone generating in the middle few hours of the day.
 
jongood said:
The way its gone, I'm of the opinion that for a lot of people greater savings are to be had from batteries, with the added benefit that they retain a value and can move house with you if necessary. There are probably bigger gains to be had by charging at low rate and using battery to cover the peaks, than everyone generating in the middle few hours of the day.
Click to expand...
The closed shop of MCS should also be reviewed. Any electrician should be able to sign off installations as safe.

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Bolti said:
Phone your local council planning office and speak to them. I have always found mine helpful when planning projects.
Find out who your DNO are and ask them if your plan sounds feasible. Your DNO can be found here
You are allowed to install a 3.6 kw inverter and panels ( upto limit inverter can handle) without permission but must inform the DNO within 28 days, (G98 application) mine is on the garage, do you not fancy a shed? There is always another way to skin a cat. At the moment I have just applied to my DNO for battery storage I have sent in the application fast track G99. They should reply within 45 days, they need to ensure my area grid connections are able to handle extra capacity. Though as a self installer you will not receive any payments for any electricity returned to the grid, it is a case of use it or lose it so a solar diverter is also a requirement to your system to make the most of energy produced.Any questions I will try to answer.

National Grid - Fast track (G99)

National Grid Electricity Distribution is the regional electricity distribution division of National Grid.
connections.nationalgrid.co.uk connections.nationalgrid.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's very helpful.
My hope is that I will install the panels and wiring then get the electrical setup connected and commisioned by a pro.
I will contact the DNO and check what their limit is but I should be ok as the enphase gateway can be figured to limit feed in to a certain preconfigured value. So long as I use an accredited installer to commision the system i should be within the rules. 🤞
Thanks again,
David.
 
jongood said:
The way its gone, I'm of the opinion that for a lot of people greater savings are to be had from batteries, with the added benefit that they retain a value and can move house with you if necessary. There are probably bigger gains to be had by charging at low rate and using battery to cover the peaks, than everyone generating in the middle few hours of the day.
Click to expand...
I agree. I am planning on fitting the large Fogstar battery, maybe even 2. I will assess things once installed and running for a period.
 
Bartyfixedit said:
Thanks, that's very helpful.
My hope is that I will install the panels and wiring then get the electrical setup connected and commisioned by a pro.
I will contact the DNO and check what their limit is but I should be ok as the enphase gateway can be figured to limit feed in to a certain preconfigured value. So long as I use an accredited installer to commision the system i should be within the rules. 🤞
Thanks again,
David.
Click to expand...
You will find for MCS certification the mounts, panels and all fitting have to be installed by a MCs fitter and all be on MCs list of approved products. So designing your own mount is a no go. Personally I have not bothered, the extra cost of MCs certification far out weigh the benefits.
 
Bolti said:
My DNO is electricity north west their website is very helpful.

G98, Small scale connection, generation and storage

Discover seamless and efficient G98 micro-generation and storage connections with Electricity North West. Apply for a new connection to power your renewable energy solutions.
www.enwl.co.uk www.enwl.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks. Interesting reading.
What are the negatives of not using MCS suppliers? Presumably any qualified sparky can make the connections and commision the system?

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Can a qualified electrician connect the grid tie inverter if your doing a self install and not worried about getting paid for your leccy?
 
olley said:
Can a qualified electrician connect the grid tie inverter if your doing a self install and not worried about getting paid for your leccy?
Click to expand...
There is nothing stopping you connecting to the grid yourself. In the UK you are allowed to make your own changes to electrics as long as they conform to requirements.
 
Bolti said:
You will find for MCS certification the mounts, panels and all fitting have to be installed by a MCs fitter and all be on MCs list of approved products. So designing your own mount is a no go. Personally I have not bothered, the extra cost of MCs certification far out weigh the benefit
Click to expand...

Bolti said:
You will find for MCS certification the mounts, panels and all fitting have to be installed by a MCs fitter and all be on MCs list of approved products. So designing your own mount is a no go. Personally I have not bothered, the extra cost of MCs certification far out weigh the benefits.
Click to expand...
The MCS is certification for the connection side and solar panel connections, the other physical elements can be anything,
 
Mikeyv60 said:
The MCS is certification for the connection side and solar panel connections, the other physical elements can be anything,
Click to expand...
My point was you won't get a MSc fitter to use a homemade mount as they will not accept responsibility for the installation.
 
Bolti said:
My point was you won't get a MSc fitter to use a homemade mount as they will not accept responsibility for the installation.
Click to expand...
I think we agree to disagree

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