Resource Highlights:
Ground mounted solar is ideal when roof space is limited or you want maximum flexibility on system size and layout.
Panels can often be positioned for strong performance, but land, planning and cabling need to be considered.
A site assessment is key to confirm the best location, shading, mounting approach and grid connection requirements.
A practical guide for rural homes, farms, and sites with limited roof space
Park homes are one of the most suitable property types for solar panels in the UK. Low roof heights, unobstructed rooflines, and typically south-facing orientations across many park home estates make them excellent candidates for solar generation. Yet many park home owners are not sure whether they can install solar, what permissions they need, or how the process differs from a standard house installation.
This guide covers everything: permitted development rights for park homes, how installations differ from bricks-and-mortar properties, battery storage options, the Smart Export Guarantee income you can earn, and how to get started with a free survey from our local Devon team.
Can solar panels be installed on a park home?
Yes. Solar panels can be installed on most park homes. The key considerations are different to a standard house, but they are manageable with the right installer.
The main factors that affect whether solar panels are suitable for your park home are:
Roof structure: park home roofs are typically lighter-weight than brick-and-mortar construction. A structural survey or roof assessment is usually needed before installation to confirm the roof can support the weight of panels and mounting equipment.
Pitch angle: most park homes have a shallow roof pitch. Shallow pitches still generate well, particularly for south and south-west facing roofs, though east-west split installations can also work effectively.
Available roof area: park homes tend to have smaller roof areas than detached houses, which affects how many panels can be fitted and therefore the output of the system.
Park owner and estate rules: see the section on permissions below.
Permitted development and park home rules
In England, solar panels on a dwelling house, including a park home that is your main or only residence, are covered by permitted development rights under Class A of Schedule 2, Part 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. This means planning permission is not normally required, provided:
Panels do not protrude more than 200mm beyond the plane of the roof
No panels are installed on a wall or roof slope that faces a highway and is visible from that highway
The installation is removed when no longer needed
However, your park home estate may have its own site licence or pitch agreement conditions that restrict external changes to your home, including solar panel installation. You should always check with your park owner or estate management before commissioning a survey.
If your park home is on a licensed holiday park rather than a residential park, different rules may apply. Our team can advise on this during your free survey.
Note for park home owners: Some park home estates have blanket restrictions on solar, while others are supportive of residents installing panels. If your estate management is uncertain, we can help you make the case, we carry out the structural assessment and prepare the documentation to show the installation meets permitted development criteria.
How does a park home solar installation differ from a house installation?
The process is similar, but there are a few practical differences:
Structural assessment: we always carry out a roof and structure check before designing a system for a park home, to confirm the roof can carry the panel weight safely.
Smaller system size: most park homes suit a 2kW to 4kW system rather than the 4kW to 6kW more common in detached houses. Smaller systems still generate meaningful savings and income.
Mounting system: the mounting system for a park home may differ from a standard tile or slate roof mount, depending on the roof material and structure.
DNO notification: for systems under 3.68kW single phase, notification to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is required but approval is not. Our team handles this.
Battery storage for park homes
Battery storage is worth considering for park homes, particularly if you are away from the park for extended periods or if your electricity use is concentrated in the evenings.
A solar battery stores surplus electricity generated during the day so you can use it later, rather than exporting it to the grid at the SEG rate (typically 4–15p per unit) and then buying it back at the retail rate (typically 24–28p per unit). The economics of battery storage depend on the size of your system and your usage patterns, our team will model this as part of your free survey.
Battery storage units for park homes are compact and can typically be wall-mounted inside the home or in an external cabinet. They are fully compatible with MCS-accredited solar installations and qualify for the same zero-VAT treatment until 31 March 2027.
The Smart Export Guarantee for park home owners
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires licensed energy suppliers to pay you for every unit of solar electricity you export to the national grid. As an MCS-accredited installer, M&E Contrax Renewables registers your system with an SEG tariff at handover, so you start earning from day one.
SEG rates vary by supplier and tariff, typically ranging from 4p to 15p per kWh for residential customers. Your park home does not need to be connected to a standard electricity supply to qualify, it needs to be your primary residence and the system needs to meet MCS criteria. If you live on a residential park with a site-wide electricity supply rather than a direct grid connection, speak to us about eligibility during your survey.
Zero VAT on park home solar panels
Domestic solar installations, including park homes used as a main residence, currently qualify for zero VAT on supply and installation under the Government’s energy-saving materials relief. This zero rate runs until 31 March 2027, after which it reverts to 5%.
Case studies | M&E Contrax Renewables park home installations
We have carried out solar panel installations on park homes across Devon and the South West. Our local case studies are available on request, speak to our team for examples relevant to your estate type, roof style, and system size.
Get a free solar survey for your park home
M&E Contrax Renewables carries out free, no-obligation solar surveys for park home owners across Devon and the South West. We will assess your roof, check your estate conditions, review your energy use, and give you a clear proposal with no surprises.
Call us on 01364 654271 or complete our online enquiry form. We confirm survey appointments within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most park homes can have solar panels installed, provided the roof structure can support the weight and the estate management permits it. Permitted development rights cover solar panels on residential park homes in England, but park site licences may have additional conditions. Always check with your park owner before proceeding.
In most cases, no. Solar panels on residential park homes in England are covered by permitted development rights, meaning no planning application is required. There are conditions around panel protrusion and visibility from a highway. Your park site licence may have separate restrictions, check this with your estate management.
It depends on your roof area and structure. Most park home roofs can accommodate between six and twelve panels, which equates to a 2kW to 4kW system. A structural assessment and roof survey will confirm what is possible for your specific home before any work is agreed.
Yes. Residential park homes that meet MCS criteria are eligible for Smart Export Guarantee registration. As an MCS-accredited installer, M&E Contrax Renewables registers your system at handover, so you are paid for every unit of electricity you export to the grid from day one.
For many park home owners, yes, particularly if your electricity use is concentrated in evenings or early mornings when solar generation is lower, or if you spend time away from the park. Battery storage lets you use your own solar generation rather than selling it cheaply and buying it back at a higher rate. Our team will model this for your specific usage during your free survey.
Park home solar systems are typically smaller than standard residential systems, so costs tend to be lower. Domestic installations currently carry zero VAT until 31 March 2027. We do not publish fixed prices because every installation is different, the most accurate figure comes from your free survey.
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