Two very different situations
Inside the loop: heritage first
Shrewsbury town centre has a large conservation area and many listed buildings. Panels in a conservation area can't go on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure fronting a highway under permitted development, and listed buildings normally need consent (Planning Portal). Speak to Shropshire Council before committing to anything. A hidden rear slope or a valley roof can sometimes work.
The suburbs: usually straightforward
Most homes in Shrewsbury's suburbs are semis, detached homes and bungalows outside conservation areas. Panels on these roofs are usually permitted development, provided they don't sit above the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys) or stick out more than 200mm. The typical home system in the Energy Saving Trust's figures is 4.5kWp, about 12 panels.
Flats and apartments
Shrewsbury has plenty of flats, including conversions in older buildings. If you're a leaseholder, you'll usually need the freeholder's or management company's permission. Panels on blocks of flats have their own permitted development limits on the Planning Portal. Choose "Flat / apartment" in the form and explain your situation.
Sunshine in Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is about 20km west of Telford, so the PVGIS figures we use for Telford are a reasonable guide, but run PVGIS for your own address if you want a closer number.
Grants and help with costs in Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is in Shropshire Council's area. Warm Homes: Local Grant enquiries go to Sustainable Warmth Shropshire. See Sustainable Warmth Shropshire and the GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant page. Solar panels and batteries for homes are also zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027 (HMRC Notice 708/6). Our grants guide covers ECO4, the Warm Homes Loan and export payments.
Costs
The Energy Saving Trust gives about £7,600 for a typical 4.5kWp system (fuel prices July 2026). Your quote depends on your roof and access. See the cost guide for sourced ranges by size, or try the rough estimator.
Choosing an installer
Whoever quotes, check them on the MCS register and confirm their consumer code. Here's how to check an installer.
Solar questions from Shrewsbury
Can I put solar panels on a house in Shrewsbury town centre?
I have a flat in Shrewsbury. Can I get solar?
Sources
- Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels (fuel prices July 2026; checked 25 Oct 2026)
- Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels (batteries section) (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- EU Joint Research Centre PVGIS 5.3 (Telford, 52.678N 2.445W, 1kWp, 35° pitch, 14% losses) (run 25 Oct 2026)
- Planning Portal: Solar equipment on a house (rules updated 27 Aug 2026) (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- Shropshire Council: Planning (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- Shropshire Council: Sustainable Warmth Shropshire (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: energy-saving materials (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- MCS: Find an installer (checked 25 Oct 2026)
Figures change. We review this page regularly; if you spot something out of date, tell us through the form.