Solar Carport Planning Permission UK: Complete 2026 Guide
- Keith Lin
- Mar 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Last updated: 24 March 2026
Do you need planning permission for a commercial solar carport in the UK? In most cases, no — thanks to Class OA permitted development rights introduced in December 2023, commercial solar canopies over off-street car parks can be installed without a full planning application, subject to prior approval from your local planning authority.
What Are Class OA Permitted Development Rights?
Class OA was introduced on 21 December 2023 under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023 (SI 2023/1279). It allows the installation, alteration, or replacement of solar panel canopies above off-street parking areas within the curtilage of commercial, business, and industrial premises in England.
Before Class OA, every commercial solar carport required a full planning application — a process that typically took 8–12 weeks and cost several thousand pounds in consultant fees. The introduction of Class OA was a direct response to the UK government's net-zero targets and the recognition that car parks represent a vast, underused surface for solar generation.
The right applies to non-domestic premises falling within Use Classes B2 (general industrial), B8 (storage and distribution), C1 (hotels), C2 (residential institutions), E (commercial, business, and service), and F1/F2 (local community and learning). This covers the majority of UK commercial premises — offices, retail parks, warehouses, factories, schools, hospitals, and leisure centres.
Prior Approval: What It Means and How It Works
Class OA is not a blanket exemption. It is subject to prior approval from your local planning authority (LPA). This is a lighter process than a full planning application, but it still requires formal submission.
Your LPA will assess:
1. Siting — where the carport is positioned relative to buildings, boundaries, and highways
2. Design and external appearance — the visual impact of the structure, including height, materials, and finish
3. Glare — specifically, the impact of solar panel glare on occupiers of neighbouring premises
The prior approval process typically takes 28 days from the date the LPA confirms your application is valid. If the LPA does not respond within this period, the development is deemed approved. This is significantly faster than a full planning application (8–12 weeks).Class OA Limitations and Conditions
The permitted development right comes with specific limitations that your design must satisfy:
Height
The solar canopy must not exceed 4 metres in height at any point. This is measured from natural ground level to the highest point of the structure, including panels.
Proximity to Dwellings
The canopy must not be installed within 10 metres of the curtilage boundary of any dwelling or block of flats. For commercial sites adjacent to residential areas, this setback requirement is the most common constraint.
Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments
Class OA does not apply within the curtilage of a listed building or a scheduled monument. These sites require a full planning application and may also need listed building consent.
Advertising
The solar canopy must not display any advertisement. Branding panels or signage integrated into the structure would remove the permitted development right.
Surface Water Drainage
Where the carport is installed above a permeable surface (e.g., gravel, grass), provisions must be made to direct rainwater run-off from the canopy to a permeable or porous area within the car park.
Removal Obligation
If the solar canopy is no longer needed for the generation of electricity, it must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Class OA applies to England only. The devolved nations have their own planning frameworks:
Scotland: Standalone solar carports in car parks are not currently covered by Scottish permitted development rights. A full planning application is required.
Wales: Standalone solar canopies in car parks are not covered under Welsh permitted development. Planning permission is required.
Northern Ireland: Standalone solar carports require a full planning application under the 2015 Order.
If your project is located outside England, speak to your local planning authority before proceeding.What About Building Regulations?
Planning permission and building regulations are separate requirements. Even where Class OA removes the need for a planning application, your solar carport will still need to comply with:
• The Building Regulations 2010 (England) — specifically Part A (structural safety), Part K (protection from falling), and Part P (electrical safety)
• BS EN 1090-1 — the harmonised European standard for structural steel and aluminium components, requiring CE/UKCA marking and Factory Production Control (FPC) certification
• BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) — for the electrical installation, including PV cabling and grid connection
The structural frame must be designed by a qualified structural engineer and fabricated by an EN 1090-1 certified manufacturer. At KLY Solar, all our carport frame kits are manufactured to EN 1090-1 Execution Class 2 (EXC2) with full structural engineering calculations, CE/UKCA Declaration of Performance, and a comprehensive installation pack.
Commercial Solar Carports and Net Zero
The UK government has committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Key policy context:
• The British Energy Security Strategy (April 2022) set a target of 70 GW of solar capacity by 2035, up from approximately 21.6 GW installed at end of 2025.
• Business rates exemption for rooftop solar runs from April 2023 to 2035.
• The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) of £1 million allows businesses to deduct the full cost of qualifying solar capital expenditure in the year of purchase.
• The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires licensed electricity suppliers to offer a tariff for exported solar generation. Current rates range from 4p to 27p/kWh depending on supplier and tariff type.
For a typical 100-bay commercial car park generating approximately 200,000 kWh per year, these incentives can reduce the effective payback period to 5–8 years.
Step-by-Step: Getting Your Solar Carport Approved
1. Confirm eligibility — Check that your premises fall within the correct use class and that no exclusions apply
2. Commission a structural design — Engage an EN 1090-1 certified supplier to design the frame
3. Prepare prior approval submission — Include site plan, elevations, materials schedule, glare assessment, and drainage plan
4. Submit to your LPA — Apply for prior approval under Class OA
5. 28-day determination period — The LPA has 28 days to respond. No response = deemed approval
6. Appoint an MCS-certified installer — For grid connection and SEG eligibility
7. Build and commission — Install the structural frame, PV panels, and electrical systemsFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission for a solar carport at my office?
In England, most commercial solar carports qualify for permitted development under Class OA, meaning you do not need a full planning application. You will need prior approval from your local planning authority, which is a faster and simpler process.
How long does prior approval take?
The local planning authority has 28 days to determine your prior approval application. If they do not respond within this period, the development is deemed approved.
Can I install a solar carport next to a residential area?
Yes, but the canopy must be at least 10 metres from the boundary of any dwelling or block of flats. If your car park is within 10 metres of residential curtilage, you may need a full planning application instead.
Does Class OA apply in Scotland?
No. Class OA is an England-only right. In Scotland, standalone solar carports require a full planning application.
Do I still need building regulations approval?
Yes. Planning permission and building regulations are separate. Your solar carport must comply with structural safety (Part A), electrical safety (Part P), and the frame must be manufactured to EN 1090-1 standards.Ready to explore solar carport options for your site? View our solar carport systems
About the Author
Keith Lin is the Director of KLY Solar (KLY Global Ltd), a UK supplier of solar carport structure kits for commercial project teams.
Sources cited in this article:
KLY GLOBAL LTD trading as KLY Solar | Company No. 14169672
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