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Solar panels in the North East Solar panels for the North East
We cover homes within 100 miles of Doncaster, which in the North East means Teesside, Darlington, Hartlepool, County Durham and Sunderland. Same free consultation, same written quote, same standard of installation.
0% depositNothing to pay when you sign
or call 0333 577 6576Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Does solar work this far north?
Better than most people expect. The government's figures for small solar systems, the kind on houses, show the North East among the best-performing regions in England in 2024/25:
Joint highest
about 9.5%
- North East
- South West
- East of England
Average load factor for small solar systems in the North East, 2024/25, joint highest with the South West and East of England
DESNZ
lowest
London, followed by Scotland and the North West
DESNZ, same year
Load factor is how much a system produces compared with running flat out all year. Cooler weather helps, because panels work slightly more efficiently when they're not hot, and long northern summer days help too.
Where we install in the North East
Everywhere here is within 100 miles of Doncaster. The miles shown are from our Retford office, so they run higher than the distance from Doncaster.
- Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Teesabout 87 milesTeesside, including Redcar and Cleveland
- Darlingtonabout 87 miles
- Hartlepoolabout 95 milesIncluding the Headland and Seaton Carew
- Durhamabout 104 milesAnd County Durham
- Sunderlandabout 111 milesIncluding Washington
Planning in the North East
For most houses, rooftop solar panels are permitted development. Durham needs extra care:
- Durham: Durham Castle and Cathedral are a World Heritage Site. In World Heritage Sites and conservation areas, panels can't go on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure facing the road, and flat-roof panels need prior approval.
Some conservation areas also have Article 4 directions, which remove permitted development rights. Middlesbrough's Linthorpe conservation area and Darlington's Stockton and Darlington Railway Northgate area both have one. We check your address before designing.
Councils
Sunderland and County Durham: Sunderland City Council and Durham County Council, both part of the North East Combined Authority.
Tees Valley: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees councils.
Grants and local schemes in the North East
The Warm Homes: Local Grant can pay for solar panels for lower-income households.
- To March 2028
Tees Valley
The Tees Valley councils, led by Darlington, have funding to March 2028 that includes solar panels, delivered by E.ON.
- Panels and batteries
Hartlepool
Hartlepool runs its own scheme, Warm Homes Hartlepool, which includes solar panels and battery storage.
- Funding
Durham and Sunderland
Durham and Sunderland also have funding.
A group-buying scheme for solar and batteries ran across the North East Combined Authority's councils, including Sunderland and Durham, in 2026. Registration closed on 27 September 2026.
Grant schemes use their own installers. If you don't qualify, panels and batteries for homes are 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. See our grants guide.
How we work at this distance
Being further from our office doesn't change the job. You get the same free consultation, by phone or at your home, the same written quote with no pressure, and the same standard of installation. Northern Powergrid runs the network across the North East, and we handle the notification or approval.
Rated 5 out of 5 on Trustpilot and Google
From the initial enquiry through to completion, the whole process took only around three weeks…
Rated 5 out of 5 on Trustpilot
James was available practically 24/7 to answer any questions before, during and after installation.
Questions people ask
Do solar panels work in the North East?
Yes. Government figures for small solar systems put the North East among the best-performing regions in England in 2024/25, with London the lowest.
Do you really cover the North East from Nottinghamshire?
Yes, within 100 miles of Doncaster: Teesside, Darlington, Hartlepool, County Durham and Sunderland. The consultation, quote and installation are the same wherever you are.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Durham?
For most houses, no. In Durham's World Heritage Site and in conservation areas, panels can't go on walls facing the road and flat-roof panels need prior approval. Listed buildings always need consent.
Is there a solar panel grant in the North East?
For eligible lower-income households, yes. Most North East councils have Warm Homes: Local Grant funding, and Hartlepool's and the Tees Valley schemes include solar panels.
Sources
Figures and rules on this page were checked on 11 October 2026. Schemes, tariffs and prices change, so check the latest before you decide.
- DESNZ: Feed-in Tariff load factor analysis 2024/25, 18 December 2025
- legislation.gov.uk: General Permitted Development Order 2015, Schedule 2, Part 14, up to date to 9 October 2026
- legislation.gov.uk: S.I. 2026/896, solar permitted development changes, in force 27 August 2026
- GOV.UK: Warm Homes: Local Grant, successful local authorities, updated 2 July 2026
- Darlington Borough Council: Warm Homes Local Grant, checked 11 October 2026
- Hartlepool Borough Council: Warm Homes Hartlepool, checked 11 October 2026
- North East Combined Authority: Warm homes and retrofit support, updated 8 October 2026
- Northern Powergrid: About us, checked 11 October 2026
- HMRC: VAT on energy-saving materials and heating equipment (Notice 708/6), zero rate runs to 31 March 2027
Get your free quote in the North East
Tell us a little about your home and we'll call to arrange a free consultation, by phone or at your home, then send you a written quote. No obligation, and no pressure.
Prefer to talk? Call 0333 577 6576, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
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