Solar Panels and Planning Permission
89. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the lack of consistency between planning authorities on the question of whether solar panels require planning permission is hindering uptake of the technology and if he will consider issuing planning guidelines setting out the conditions in which the installation of solar panels is exempt from planning permission. [22580/06]
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): Many domestic renewable energy developments, including the placing of solar panels to the rear of houses, would be exempted development. Section 4(1)(h) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, provides that development consisting of the carrying out of works for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of any structure is exempted development if the works affect only the interior of the structure or do not materially affect the external appearance of the structure so as to render the appearance inconsistent with the character of the structure or of neighbouring structures. I have also asked my Department to review the exempted development regulations to ensure that they support the use of renewable energy for domestic and small business users.
There has been a very high level of interest in the Greener Homes grant aid package for individual domestic householders which was launched by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on 27 March this year. In the eight week period since the scheme was launched Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has received 500 applications for grant aid for solar panels.
September 12th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
I just got off the phone with my local County Coucil and was told that i had to pay €80.00 to place 2 solar panels on the BACK of my House, It only costs €65.00 for a full house, Plus I need to get and pay an architect to draw up more plans as to where the solar panel will be placed. I dont understand that i have to pay for something that is benefiting the enviornment, i was also told that if i was in a row of house I would not need planning but because I am a one off house in the middle of the country i need planning. this has totally put me off installing solar panels and i will not have my house therefore as a greener home, I personally think that this is another money grabing scheme for the council, Some clarification needs to be made on this matter and it has to make it worth the effort and research for greener homes worth while for the individual instead of all this paper work and extra expense.
May 30th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I’m a Junior Architect currently working on a large residential scheme in Glasnevin where I am having graet difficulty with Solar Energy Installation. Dublin City Council is insisting on one thing whilst others are disagreeing. There seems to be also a variance in performane in this particular aspect of the planning system. Can somebody in government just stand up and say what is actually allowed and what is not, I’ve read so many articles, planning blogs, SEI recommendations and so on and really cannot justify my design to my clients as I have no set guidelines on Solar Energy.
Another fault - I was recently informed that in order to obtain a grant one must apply for the grant before applying for planning permission. Please tell me this is not true.
Maybe Solar energy is not the way forward after all. I don’t want or need any claims against me by clients.