Planning permission exemptions for rooftop solar panels on homes and other buildings proposed
Ó An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitúil agus Oidhreachta
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitúil agus Oidhreachta
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke, TD, has today published proposed revisions to the existing planning exemptions for the installation of solar panels on the roofs of houses and certain non-domestic buildings. A public consultation as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process is now open and will run until 13 July. The proposed changes are aimed at increasing Ireland’s generation of solar energy and national action on climate change.
Commenting on the draft regulations, Minister Burke T.D said:
“These draft regulations will help facilitate the rollout of rooftop solar energy across the country. They will enable individuals, communities, businesses and farms to play their part in creating a future fuelled by renewable energy and acting against climate change. They will help people and businesses to reduce their energy bills and increase Ireland’s energy security, a major challenge given developments in Europe and the need to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels.”
Under the draft regulations the following is proposed:
Minister Burke added:
“Houses, regardless of location, will soon be able to install solar panels on their roofs without any r+equirement for planning permission, which I know will be very welcome to many homeowners. Draft proposals for community/educational/religious buildings will also give institutions such as schools a greater opportunity to reduce their energy bills. By proposing these increased exemptions we are bringing exemptions into line with our renewables ambitions and helping people to play their part in climate action and to reduce their energy bills.
“In finalising these regulations we will implement an important commitment in the Programme for Government and will help us meet the targets set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.”
Ends
In accordance with Strategic Environmental Assessment requirements, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published proposed revisions to the solar panel planning exemptions in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, for public consultation. It now invites submissions on the two sets of draft regulations.
These draft regulations aim to bring Ireland into line with the EU’s Solar Rooftops Initiative by make permitting procedures for installing solar rooftops shorter and simpler. It supports a target of generating up to 380MW (approximately 1 million solar panels) of microgeneration as part of Ireland’s overall target of 2.5GW solar electricity by 2030 under the Government’s Climate Action Plan.
The draft regulations, which have been published as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process can be found here or viewed in person at the offices of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin 1, between 9am and 5pm up to and including 13 July 2022.
Submissions can be submitted by email to SolarSEA@housing.gov.ie or by post to Solar SEA Submissions, Planning Policy and Legislation Section, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin 1, D01 W6X0. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm on 13 July 2022.
In addition to the publication of the two sets of draft regulations, in accordance with the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive 2001/42/EC, as transposed into Irish law, an SEA Environmental Report and non-technical summary have been prepared on the likely significant environmental effects of implementing the draft regulations.
Furthermore, in accordance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021, an Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Determination has been prepared in respect of the draft regulations.