Can you Get Solar Panels on a Park Home?

Park homes are a great place to live and many people in the UK enjoy life in a park home. In many ways they are similar to normal houses, but there are also differences. Something that many people wonder when they live in a park home, is whether they can install solar panels.

Solar panels are a great way to power your home, and they are also good for the environment. If you live in a park home and want to get solar panels added to the property, here are some of the things to consider…

Getting planning consent sorted first

Check whether you need to have consent from the local authority – Firstly, you should check with the local authority whether you need to get planning permission to add solar panels to the property. It isn’t usually required; however it is important to check as some places have more restrictions on what can be done than others.

Checking your site’s licence agreement

Check the licence agreement for the site – You also need to check with the site’s owners and check your licence agreement. Different parks will have different rules and regulations about what can be done, so you must always make sure that you check this.

Hiring a qualified installer

Make sure you get a professional to install them – Make sure that when you have them installed you have a professional company like this solar panel installers Portishead based company https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installers-portishead who will also be able to advise you on the suitability of solar panels for your home and how to maintain them.

What park home ownership involves

Before planning any improvement to a park home, it helps to understand how ownership works. Most park home owners own the home itself but not the land it stands on, which belongs to the park operator. There is usually an annual pitch or service charge payable to the operator, and the written agreement sets out what you can and cannot do.

Whether you can live there all year round depends on the site’s planning permission and the licence issued by the local authority. Some parks close for part of the year. A solicitor should check the agreements before you buy.

Running costs need checking too, including gas, water and electricity and any other charges. When you sell, the law prevents the park operator from interfering in the sale, though the operator is entitled to a commission of up to 10% of the price. Knowing these terms makes it much easier to judge which changes are allowed.

Summary

Looks at what to check before installing solar panels on a park home, including whether local authority planning consent is needed since rules vary by area, checking the site’s own licence agreement as parks set their own rules, and using a qualified professional installer who can also advise on suitability and ongoing maintenance.

Questions this article raises

• Do all park home sites allow solar panel installations?
• How does planning consent for park homes differ from consent for standard houses?
• What maintenance do solar panels need once installed on a park home?