Generation, planning & Dartmoor rules.
Devon is consistently one of the strongest parts of the UK for solar generation, and for most homes the planning rules work in your favour too.
Devon generates around 20% more than average.
How much a solar system generates depends heavily on solar irradiance: the solar energy a location receives over a year, usually measured in kWh per kWp of installed panel capacity. Devon typically sees around 1,060 kWh/kWp per year, roughly 20% above the UK-wide average of 884 kWh/kWp.
In practice, that means a solar system in Devon will generally produce more electricity, and pay itself back faster, than the same system installed further north or inland. Your exact figures depend on roof orientation, pitch and shading, which is why every quote starts with a proper site survey rather than a desktop estimate.
Devon’s annual solar yield. UK-wide average is roughly 884 kWh/kWp.
Dartmoor National Park and your roof.
Most homes in Devon fall under permitted development for solar panels, meaning no planning application is needed, provided panels don’t protrude more than 200mm from the roof plane, sit above the roof ridge, or the property is listed. This applies inside Dartmoor National Park too for ordinary residential roof-mount installations.
There are a few situations where permission is needed:
Listed buildings
Always require listed building consent, even where otherwise permitted development.
Farms on Dartmoor
Agricultural buildings within Dartmoor National Park don’t have permitted development rights for solar and need full planning permission.
Ground-mounted systems
Permission is needed if panels are over 4m tall, larger than 9m², or in a conservation area.
We check all of this as part of your survey, so you’ll know exactly where your property stands before any work begins. You can also read Dartmoor National Park Authority’s own planning guidance.
Find out what your roof could generate
Free, no-obligation quote, including a planning check for your property.