What are the Planning Rules for Home Solar Panels?

Inside this Edition:

• Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels?

• Are Solar Roof Tiles Right For You?

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Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels?

The Irish planning system is a pain to deal with. You can be waiting months for a decision even on simple matters.

If you’re worried about needing planing permission for solar panels on your home, don’t be.

Houses have a complete exemption from planning permission for rooftop solar panels. This is true no matter where you live or how many solar panels you get installed.

There used to be limitations on this planning exemption. Up until October 2022 if your solar panels covered more than 50% of the roof, or 12sqm, you had to get planning permission.

Thankfully, that was removed to make it easier for homeowners to invest in green energy, and the results in recent years speak for themselves.

These planning exemptions for rooftop solar panels does not apply in the following limited circumstances:

• Your house is a Protected Structure

• Your house is in an Architectural Conservation Area

If either of these might be true, contact your local authority to see if you need planning permission.

Other options for ground-mounted or wall-mounted solar panels also have planning exemptions up to a certain area. You can install up to 75sqm of free-standing or wall-mounted solar panels for your home before needing planning permission.

The average household in Ireland can save more than €1,500 a year on their electricity bills by installing solar panels. This is money going back into your pocket immediately.

Are Solar Roof Tiles Right For You?

Solar panels are incredible value for any home, but some people aren’t wild about the way they look on a roof.

Solar roof tiles are designed to mimic the appearance of a regular roof to avoid just this issue.

There are important differences between solar roof tiles and regular solar panels. Differences in pricing, power output, and how they affect your roof.

Read more in our guide to decide if solar roof tiles are right for you.

We hope you enjoyed the articles this week. Together with your support, we are helping to build a greener, more affordable Ireland for everyone. That’s your energy update. Until the next edition.

Briain Kelly,

Editor, EnergyEfficiency.ie