Solar panels on listed buildings

In Apeldoorn, we want to generate more renewable energy through solar panels on rooftops. This includes buildings with listed status or those within protected town and village conservation areas.

Step-by-step guide

If you wish to install solar panels on a listed building and/or within a protected town or village conservation area, different rules apply to those for ordinary homes. If you submit an application via the Environment counter An assessment is then carried out to determine whether the heritage values remain intact. The location of the solar panels is important in this regard. Would you like to apply to install solar panels on the visible side of the roof? In that case, it is a condition that installation on alternative roof surfaces is not possible.

The steps below outline what you need to consider before installing solar panels.

A planning permission is always required for national and local heritage buildings. You can find out more on the page about the planning permission for listed buildings make an appointment or submit a request.

For properties located in areas of special architectural interest, you can apply for a licence check do.

When choosing the best location for solar panels, you should first consider the following options, in this order:

  1. on the roof of an outbuilding or a canopy in the back garden, or;
  2. in an extension at the rear of the main building, or;
  3. on the rear roof surface of the main building, or;
  4. on a flat roof, or;
  5. on a roof at the rear of the main building, so that it is not visible

Afbeelding waarop staat wat de beste plaats voor zonnepanelen is.

Image: When choosing the best location for solar panels, you should first consider these options.

Not possible?

In that case, solar panels can be installed on the roofs on the visible side. However, additional rules do apply.

Afbeelding: De zichtzijden van het dak zijn de kanten van het dak die zichtbaar zijn vanaf openbare ruimte (openbaar toegankelijk gebied).

Image: The visible sides of the roof are the edges of the roof that are visible from public spaces (areas open to the public).

See the additional rules for solar panels on the visible side

Below is a summary of the policy rules that always apply.

  • Solar panels must be installed in a single continuous rectangle. They must not be interrupted by, for example, a skylight, dormer window or other objects.
  • The solar panels must be installed at least 50 cm from the ridge, the side walls and the corners of the roof. If the solar panels are installed on a flat roof, the distance to the sides of the roof must be at least as great as the height of the solar panels. They must not be installed on the visible sides of greenhouses, bay windows or entrances.
  • The existing roof structure must not be removed or damaged.
  • Solar panels and solar collectors must not be installed together on the same roof.
  • The colour of the solar panels must match the colour of the roof. Alternatively, they must be a matt colour such as black, anthracite or dark grey. The edges of the solar panels must be the same colour as the panel itself and must not be glossy.
  • Solar panels must not be installed on roofs made of unusual materials, such as thatch, slate, metal or special roof tiles.
  • The solar panels must generate as much energy as the building itself requires. No trees may be felled to allow more sunlight to reach the solar panels.

Additional rules for solar panels on the visible side of the roof

Below you will find the additional policy guidelines for installing solar panels on the visible side of the roof.

  • Solar panels may only be installed on the part of the roof between the imaginary lines of the ridge.
  • Solar panels may only be installed on a single roof surface.
  • There must be only one area covered with solar panels on each roof surface.
  • In the case of blocks of flats or terraced houses, the first approved location, shape, size and colour of the solar panels will serve as a model for the rest of the block or row.
  • On a mansard roof, solar panels may only be installed on the uppermost part of the roof, above the break.

Afbeelding: Aanvullende regels voor zonnepanelen op de zichtzijde van het dak.

Image: Additional regulations for solar panels on the visible side of the roof.

Would you like an overview of the step-by-step guide to installing solar panels on listed buildings and nationally protected town and village views? 

Download the step-by-step guide here (PDF, 660 kB)  (not available online)

Full policy rules

The full policy guidelines for solar panels on listed buildings and within protected town and village conservation areas can be found on Officielebekendmakingen.nl:

Municipal Gazette 2023, 371097 | Overheid.nl

Making the monument more sustainable

Read on The Energy of Apeldoorn Find out more about the energy transition in Apeldoorn and what you can do yourself. For personalised advice on making a listed building more sustainable, you can make an appointment with the council via cultuurhistorie@apeldoorn.nl or pop in at the Energy Point.

More information

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