Solar power generation system management regulations

Should guidance on solar PV be included in the National Policy Statement?

The solar industry very much welcomes the addition of guidance on solar PV to the National Policy Statement for renewable energy infrastructure. However, there are several provisions which could be strengthened, which we have outlined below.

Do you need planning permission to install solar panels?

Current rules that require businesses to apply for planning permission if solar panels will generate more than one megawatt of electricity will also be scrapped, meaning organisations will be able to install more solar panels on rooftops without the delay and cost of applying for planning permission.

Do solar PV farms need planning permissions?

Solar PV farms should normally be regarded as a temporary use of land. It is therefore likely that planning permissions will limit the duration for which the system can remain in place. Planning permissions will normally; Be for a temporary period only from the commissioning of the facility.

Should solar generating stations limit export capacity?

Developers are consistently pushed to limit export capacity from solar generating stations, and the policy statement confirming this is inappropriate is welcomed and essential to support the delivery of net zero by allowing installations to maximise installed capacity and account for improving technology. 2.48.7.

What statutory and non-statutory policy drivers are relevant to solar energy planning?

At the national level, there is a range of statutory and non-statutory policy drivers and initiatives which are relevant to the consideration of planning applications for Solar Energy. The Climate Change Act 2008 commits the UK to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050 and a 34% reduction by 2020 (based on 1990 levels).

What is the fee category for a large scale solar PV installation?

There is no national guidance on the fee category for large scale ground mounted solar PV installations. However, normally such applications fall within Category 5 (erection, alteration or replacement of plant or machinery) of the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications) as amended.