CORK’S local authority is to encourage the city’s 40,000 householders to consider installing solar energy panels on their roofs.
The city council plans to write to all its customers in the coming weeks to explain new planning laws which allow people erect certain types of solar panels without planning permission.
City manager Joe Gavin agreed to outline the planning exemption following a request from Fianna Fáil councillor Tim Brosnan.
Mr Brosnan sought clarification on the planning regulations at a recent meeting of the council.
He said householders living on the city’s northside hills with south-facing roofs would be ideally placed to capitalise on the installation of solar roof panels.
Mr Gavin confirmed that legislation introduced by the Environment Minister Dick Roche on February 28 allowed for the erection of certain domestic wind turbines and solar panels without planning permission.
The dimensions of the so-called micro renewable energy technology devices are contained in the planning and development regulations 2007.
“Under the new provisions, solar panels within the limits set out in the regulations will be allowed on the front or back of a roof without the need to seek planning permission,” Mr Gavin said.
However, there are certain restrictions within the city’s areas of special character (conservation areas) and on protected structures.
In the city, these areas include the Wellington Road and St Luke’s areas, the North Main Street, and the Grattan Hill area.
Eoin English
Irish Examiner
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