Plug-in solar is now a real Great Britain route, but suitability depends on the complete product, your property, electrical installation, mounting location, permissions and network requirements. Use the checks below before buying.
What is an Article 4 direction?
An Article 4 direction is a planning tool that allows a local planning authority to withdraw specified permitted development rights in a defined area. It does not automatically prohibit development; it changes whether planning permission is required.
Why this matters for solar
Some solar installations can benefit from national permitted development rights. If an applicable Article 4 direction has removed the relevant right at your property, you may need to make a planning application instead.
Article 4 areas are property-specific
Do not assume that the whole postcode, conservation area or council area has the same controls. Article 4 directions can cover particular streets, buildings or categories of development.
How to check
Use your local planning authority mapping and records, and seek confirmation if the proposed work is unclear. A property pre-screen is useful for identifying a possible restriction, but formal planning interpretation rests with the relevant authority.
What Solixir does
Plug in Solar Ready flags Article 4 records where the available property data identifies them and treats a positive result as an additional-planning-check warning rather than saying solar is impossible.
Check your actual property
Plug in Solar Ready combines your address, property questions, panel area, consumer-unit and socket evidence into one guided pre-screen.
Start the free Plug in Solar Ready check →This guide is general consumer information, not electrical, legal or planning approval. Requirements can depend on the property, proposal, product and current rules. Where the result is uncertain, confirm with the relevant professional, local planning authority, landlord/freeholder or network operator.