Planning and building regulations (RESIDENTIAL) Planning

When considering mounting a solar PV array on the roof of a residential property, to not require planning permission beforehand the system designer must ensure that: The solar PV array does not protrude more than 200mm. The solar PV array does not face onto or is visible from the highway if located within a conservation area or a world heritage site. When considering mounting a solar PV array in a ground mounted frame that will serve a residential property, to not require planning permission beforehand the designer must ensure that: The solar PV array is no more than 4m high The solar PV array is installed more than 5m from the property boundary The size of the solar PV array does not exceed 9m sq The solar PV array does not face onto or is visible from the highway if located within a conservation area or a world heritage site.
The Building Regulations The Building Regulations 2000 were made under the Building Act 1984 and are applicable in England & Wales. The requirements of the Building Regulations (Scotland) 2004 apply in Scotland. The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (as amended) apply in Northern Ireland. Although from now on we only reference the Building Regulations for England and Wales we hope the points and examples highlighted are relevant to anyone installing a solar photovoltaic system wherever they may be located. Building Control & Local Authorities Local authorities are responsible for compliance with the Building Regulations and most will have a dedicated building control department. There is some confusion as to whether a solar PV installation needs to be notified to the local authority and different authorities do have different approaches. To clarify, what is certain is that nearly all domestic electrical work is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations (see below) and a solar PV installation is nearly always notifiable electrical work. Notification can be carried out either by your installer after the work has been carried out if they are recognised as a competent person under Part P (look for membership of a competent persons scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA). If your installer isn't registered as a competent person or you are carrying out the installation yourself you will need to inform building control in advance by filing a building notice. The confusion comes in as a solar PV installation is often much more than electrical work, for example some installations involve major roofing work and other structural changes especially when integrating

photovoltaics into a building's fabric. This work goes beyond Part P and electrical installations, we are now talking about building work. Whether this building work has to be notified is dependent on the nature of the work and the preference of the local authority, in our experience it is in everyone's interest to notify or at least clarify in advance if there is any doubt. The costs involved in filing a building notice are small when compared to the cost of a system and in our experience solar PV applications are welcomed and treated positively. The benefits of involving building control include; a record of the building work will be kept with the local authority for review by any prospective house purchaser via a local authority search, avoiding any potential difficulties when selling a property in the future. Paperwork, certifications and equipment will be double checked by an independent third party and everyone will have the comfort of knowing the installation has been carried out correctly, safely and in compliance of the Building Regulations. The Regulations The Building Regulations 2000 are split into 14 parts A-P, depending on the nature of the PV installation the following parts may be applicable and should be addressed early at the system design stage:

Approved Document A - Structure

Strength of roof e.g. increased weight loading Effect of wind lift on PV modules & roof supports Depth of wall chases Sizes of holes and notches used for cables Use of certified and correctly applied materials and equipment

Approved Document B1 - Fire Safety (Domestic) Approved Document B2 - Fire Safety

PV installations in relation to fire risk e.g short circuits, overloaded cables. Fire resistance of roof coverings esp roof integrated PV panels, PV tiles & PV slates Cable penetrations through walls, ceilings and floors must not assist the spread of fire Adequate ventilation of heat producing equipment e.g inverters, PV modules and PV Cables. Use of certified and correctly applied materials

Approved Document C - Moisture

Cable penetrations through external walls and prevention of moisture ingress. Moisture ingress through roof coverings Correct choice, use and application of moisture prevention e.g. roof flashings, waterproofing

Approved Document E - Sound

Sound passage through cable penetrations should be minimised and gaps sealed.

Approved Document F - Ventilation

Correct positioning and ventilation of heat emitting equipment such as inverters, modules and cables.

Approved Document K - Protection from Falling

Safe installation of solar PV systems at height Safe maintenance of solar PV systems at height Correct selection, construction and use of access equipment such as scaffolding

Approved Document M - Access & Use of Buildings

Accessible placement of equipment e.g. Inverters, monitors, fuse boxes, isolators

Approved Document P - Electrical Safety (Domestic)

Correct usage, sizing and positioning of cables Labeling and warning signs Adequate earthing and bonding (if required) Protection from damage, dust, water and people (esp fingers) of electrical equipment and cables. Test certificates, manuals and safety instructions Isolation arrangements (how to disconnect parts or all of the system) Correct selection and use of protective devices such as RCDs, fuses and isolators