I welcome the news that houses, regardless of location, will soon be able to install solar panels on their roofs without any requirement for planning permission
We know we need to transition from fossil fuels and solar is part of the solution. I am very excited by solar as any individual and community with rooftop, or ground space, can participate in the energy revolution, be supported by the Government to do so, benefit from the energy produced and sell excess back to the grid.
My Green Party colleagues and I have been pushing these changes and thank Minister Burke and the Department of Local Government for progressing them.
The proposals will make the installation of solar arrays by homeowners, schools, communities, farmers and more, much easier, less expensive and faster. That is a good thing. The public consultation on the exemptions is part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and is an important part of the process.
The proposals include;
Exemptions proposed for the first time for solar rooftops of homes and buildings like community and educational buildings, places of worship, health buildings, libraries and farms
Exemptions for certain wall-mounted and free-standing solar panel installations proposed to be increased to 60 square metres
I encourage people to read the proposals and have their say before 5:00 p.m. on 13 July 2022 .