Tag Archives: Renewables

Solar PV and Planning

Generating energy from renewable sources is good for the environment and good for your pocket as a householder.  But do you need planning permission if you are thinking of installing solar panels? To find out if you do read on, or call Claire on 01282 872570. Within The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2011, Part 40 relating to the “Installation of Domestic Microgeneration Equipment” includes Class A and B which relate to the installation of solar panels within the curtilage of a dwelling house. So the answer really depends on whether your proposed development is already permitted development or not. Class A gives householders “permitted development rights” to install solar photovoltaics (PV) without planning permission on a … Continue reading

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Government Continues Support for Small Scale Renewables

The Government have announced that businesses will still be able to get support for small scale renewable technologies. This commitment was made by Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, as part of the Government’s Renewables Obligation (RO). Government had suggested it may exclude new small scale solar, anaerobic digestion, onshore wind and hydro power installations of between 50kW and 5MW from the RO from 1 April 2013. This would have meant that the RO would support renewables over 5MW, with Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) being aimed at those who invest in solar, small scale wind, anaerobic digestion and hydro power projects under 5MW in size. Following feedback from industry in recent months, DECC has decided to keep the option of … Continue reading

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Solar Parks

Natural England (NE) have used the term ‘Solar Parks’ to describe ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) modules covering an area of between 2 and 15 hectares.  Other terms frequently used to describe such installations are ‘Solar Farms’ or ‘Large PV Arrays’.  It’s interesting that the use of words like ‘parks’ and ‘farms’ hint at a use that would be benign in a rural area and it can be, with the right design and location. Key environmental factors in choosing an appropriate location for solar parks are: Landscape (designation, character, visual, geology and geomorphology); Soil (protection and husbandry); Watercourses (protection); and Biodiversity (protection and mitigation). Along with more technical issues of the available solar resource and a suitable grid connection, locating … Continue reading

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