- Lack of consistency across planning authorities creating confusion among installers and homeowners

The Green Party has called on the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche TD to issue clear guidance on Planning Permission for solar panels. The Party says that homeowners who wish to install panels are being given conflicting advice from different Planning Authorities around the country.

Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca said: "We were delighted when grants for the renewable energy domestic market were made available in last year's budget. While we would like to have seen more money made available for domestic renewable grants, it was still a step forward to see something that we had called for, for years, finally being implemented.

"However, the planning issues surrounding the installation of solar panels have led to confusion for homeowners and installers. Local authorities around the counties are giving different answers as to whether full planning permission is needed for solar panels to be installed. I have even heard of cases where officials from the same local authority have given completely different answers about the need for permission.

"I think that it is time for the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, to issue guidelines to local authorities outlining in what circumstances planning permission is needed for the installation of solar panels.

"It seems to me that the law currently allows panels on the rear of a house without planning, but Planning Permission would be required for panels on the front part of a roof. I believe that the installation of panels should be exempt from Planning Permission unless the building is a Protected Structure in which case Permission should be required.

According to de Burca on making inquires on behalf of local residents she has received different answers from Bray Town Council and Wicklow County Council on whether permission is require for solar panels.

"This inconsistency must be a nightmare for those operating in the growing domestic renewable energy market. It must also be weighing on the minds of those homeowners who have installed expensive technologies and who don't know whether their investment needed or needs planning permission," she says