Is there a maximum number of solar panels allowed in the UK?

If you’re thinking of switching to solar, you’re probably wondering how extensively you can cover your roof with solar panels. Given you’ll be paying the fixed costs of scaffolding and installation, it makes sense to make full use of your property’s roof space. 

In this article, we’ll explain how many solar panels you can have before you start dealing with various practical considerations, building regulations and DNO requirements. 

If you’re interested in finding out how much a solar & battery system could save you, answer a few quick questions below and we’ll generate an estimate for you.

What’s the maximum number of solar panels you can have in the UK?

Assuming your property doesn’t require planning permission for a solar installation, there is no legal maximum number of solar panels that you can install on your roof in the UK. Other than usable roof space, there is nothing limiting how many solar panels you can put up there. 

Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas usually require planning permission for solar panels, but for the majority of other homes a solar installation counts as a ‘permitted development’. 

However, it is a legal requirement of all rooftop solar panel installations that no panel sits closer than 400mm from the edge of the roof. This means you can’t actually cover every square inch of your rooftop. 

If your rooftop isn’t suitable for some reason (e.g. it’s a flat roof, or completely north-facing) and you opt for a ground-mounted system, any system exceeding nine square metres requires planning permission.

So, while there's no hard limit on rooftop solar installations, practical considerations and regulations should guide your decision. Most typical three-bedroom or four-bedroom homes usually have systems that range from4 kilowatts peak (kWp) to 6kWp.

Is there a limit on how much solar electricity you can generate?

A solar panel system's capacity isn't limited to a certain number of panels, but there is a limit on the size of the system’s inverter. 

The inverter is what converts the electricity from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), and consequently makes it usable in your home (or exportable to the grid). You could have a vast solar panel array, but it’s the size of the inverter that will dictate the system’s actual output.

In the UK, any inverter larger than 3.68 kilowatts (kW) requires permission from the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before it can connect to the grid. To acquire this permission, you need to submit an application called a G99.

If the inverter is 3.68kW or smaller, you’re able to simply ‘connect and notify’ without needing permission (this is called a G98). 

For systems with inverters larger than 3.68kW, Sunsave will fully manage the DNO application process on your behalf.

Why is there a limit on solar PV output?

The limit on solar output is in place to prevent issues with grid stability.

A sudden influx of new electricity generation, from solar panels and elsewhere, can cause grid fluctuations in voltage and frequency, which can lead to instability and potential blackouts.

But by regulating this output, grid operators can make sure everyone gets a balanced and reliable supply of electricity.

How do you apply to your DNO for permission?

The solar panel installation process typically involves submitting an application with details of your plans to your local DNO to ensure grid compatibility and safety.

In the UK, there are six DNOs covering 14 different district networks:

1. Electricity North West Limited
2. Northern Powergrid
3. Scottish and Southern Energy
4. ScottishPower Energy Networks
5. UK Power Networks
6. Western Power Distribution

To find out who your local DNO is, you can use the Energy Networks Association search tool.

How likely is DNO approval?

The majority of solar panel systems that require a G99 application are accepted, but some DNOs will ask for an additional fee in order to cover any necessary grid work. 

This work can include transformer upgrades, new cables, and other equipment to ensure the grid can reliably accommodate the solar exports from your system.

However, if your inverter is smaller than 3.68kW then you won’t need to worry about any extra fees, as you can just connect to the grid and start exporting immediately.

How long does DNO approval take?

DNO approval for solar panel systems typically takes around 4-6 weeks. 

During this time, your local DNO will assess the proposed system's impact on the local grid and decide if any upgrades are necessary to accommodate your potential solar exports.

The time frame might be affected by things like how complicated the application is and how busy the specific DNO is. 

However, your solar installer should be familiar with each DNO’s approval process and take all the necessary steps to keep things moving forward.

Could you choose not to connect to the grid?

While it's technically possible to go "off-grid" with a solar & battery system, choosing not to connect your system to the grid isn't recommended. A grid connection is essential for reliability, flexibility, and financial benefits.

For instance, without a grid connection, you'd have no access to grid-supplied electricity during times of low solar generation, which means you'll need to rely solely on battery storage to power your home. This can be costly and may require a larger, more complex battery system.

Also, you won't be able to export excess electricity, which means you'll miss out on potential earnings from solar export tariffs that can help offset the cost of your solar panel system over time.

Single-phase vs three-phase solar installations

‘Single-phase’ and ‘three-phase’ refers to different sizes of electricity supply feeding from the grid into a property. 

Single-phase means the property receives electricity through one wire, and this is what most households in the UK have. 

Three-phase means the property receives electricity through three separate wires. This is far less common, and is only necessary for commercial buildings and households that use a huge quantity of electricity. Three-phase systems can deliver a higher sustained power output, making them better suited for heavy machinery or larger electrical loads.

The electricity output limit in the UK is actually 3.68kW per phase, but single-phase properties are so common that it’s essentially the same as an inverter limit. However, if your property has three-phase power, you could have an inverter as big as 11kW before you’d require DNO permission. 

If you’re not sure whether you have a single-phase or three-phase power supply, take a look at your electrical fuses. Single-phase supplies will have one fuse, whereas three-phase supplies have three.

Can you add more solar panels to your system later on?

You can add more solar panels at a later date, but it's more cost effective to plan ahead and get a bigger system installed upfront, so you avoid paying twice for fixed costs like labour and scaffolding.

Installers need scaffolding to get up onto your roof safely, and its setup/take-down costs can be a sizable chunk of the total expense.

When you install a larger system initially, you can split the fixed costs among more solar panels, which ends up reducing the cost per panel.

Summary

Installing solar panels offers many benefits, and it makes financial sense to get as many panels as possible once your scaffolding is set up. 

Providing the panels don’t sit closer than 400mm from the edge of your rooftop, you can install as many panels as you want. 

Wondering how much a solar & battery system could save you? Click on the button below to answer a few questions, and we’ll generate a quick estimate.

Maximum number of solar panels: FAQs