Solihull Council has approved plans for a business park in Shirley that will generate all its electricity from on-site solar panels. The decision, reported by Birmingham Live, marks one of the first commercial developments in the West Midlands built to operate off-grid for daytime power needs.
As Birmingham Live reported, the development will include rooftop and ground-mounted solar arrays sized to meet the park’s estimated annual demand. No grid connection for daytime consumption is planned, though backup supply will remain available for night-time and overcast periods.
What this means for UK homeowners
For households considering solar panels, this approval signals that local planning authorities are becoming more comfortable with solar as a primary energy source. The business park’s design, relying on solar for the bulk of its daytime load, mirrors what an increasing number of homes can achieve with a well-sized array and battery storage.
The catch is that domestic solar is already covered by permitted development rights in England, meaning most homes don’t need planning permission at all. The real barrier for homeowners is not the council but the upfront cost: a typical 4 kW system costs between £5,000 and £8,000 installed, according to Energy Saving Trust figures. The payback period is roughly 10–15 years, depending on self-consumption rates and the Smart Export Guarantee tariff.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
Permitted development applies to homes that are not in listed buildings, conservation areas, or World Heritage Sites. For those that are, the Shirley decision may still offer a useful precedent. If a council has approved a large commercial solar installation, it becomes harder for the same authority to refuse a domestic application on aesthetic or heritage grounds, provided the panels are designed sensitively.
Ofgem’s Smart Export Guarantee requires licensed suppliers to pay households for exported solar power at a rate set by the market. Typical payments range from 4p to 15p per kWh, depending on the supplier. Octopus Energy currently offers 15p per kWh on its outgoing tariff, one of the highest available.
Costs, grants, and EPC impact
Solar panels can improve a home’s Energy Performance Certificate rating by up to two bands, from D to B in some cases, according to government modelling. That boost matters for homeowners planning to sell or rent, as EPC C or above is required for new tenancies from 2028.
Grants for solar installation are limited. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers £7,500 toward heat pumps, does not cover solar panels. The Energy Company Obligation scheme may fund solar for low-income households in certain circumstances, but eligibility is tight. The best financial case remains self-funding and maximising self-consumption, running appliances during daylight hours and adding battery storage to capture surplus generation for evening use.
Households on standard variable tariffs can apply through gov.uk from 4 November. Eligibility closes on 31 March 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, no. Permitted development rights allow solar panels on homes in England, provided they don't protrude more than 200mm from the roof and are not on a listed building or in a conservation area. If you are unsure, check with your local planning authority before installation.
A typical 4 kW system can save a household £200–£300 a year on electricity bills, depending on how much of the generated power you use directly. Adding battery storage increases self-consumption and savings, but adds around £2,000–£4,000 to the installation cost.
