Rooftop solar energy receives planning-permission boost
The potential for solar energy has received a boost with the Government confirming that planning permission will no longer be required for all rooftop solar up to 1 MW, both solar PV and solar thermal. The previous limit was 50 kW. The new limit covers buildings the size of a large warehouse or distribution centre — roughly the size of a football pitch.
David Pickup, analyst with the Solar Trade Association, said, ‘Extending the threshold from 50 kW to 1 MW is a boost for commercial solar, so many warehouses, factories and offices could save money on their energy bills by having solar PV on their roofs.’ However, he warned, ‘There isn’t enough room for this market to grow before the Feed-in Tariffs drop to zero.’
