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Solar-Powered Homes Get Government Go-Ahead
1st July 2008
New rules to allow homeowners in England and Wales to install solar panels, ground source heat pumps and other microgeneration technologies to help cut carbon emissions were given the green light by government in March.
Currently, the energy used to heat, light and run our homes accounts for 27 per cent of all of the UK's carbon emissions - around 40 million tonnes. Many householders who want to install microgeneration technology are said to be put off by the time and cost involved in getting prior planning permission.
Since April though, homeowners have been able to install certain microgeneration equipment, such as solar panels, without needing to get planning permission, so long as there is clearly no impact on others.
The amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows for the installation of solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, ground and water source heat pumps, biomass heating, and combined heath and power systems on or within the boundary of domestic premises.
However, size limitations have been set to reduce impact on neighbours. For example, solar panels attached to a building must not protrude more than 200 mm from the roof slope, and stand-alone panels must be no higher than four metres above ground level and no nearer than five metres from the boundary.
The government has made it clear that it will legislate further to allow free-standing and building-mounted wind turbines on detached properties, and air source heat pumps to be installed, without needing planning permission. But this move has to await clearance from the European Commission, which is expected later this year.
The government is also exploring how they can extend to business the use of microgeneration for commercial and agricultural business. It is estimated that, by 2050, 30-40 per cent of the UK's electricity demand could be met by installing microgeneration equipment to all types of building.
