Planning for solar systems

Southerly facing roof (between south east and south west)

Planning considerations

Will I need planning permission?

Not usually, as you are permitted to make certain minor changes to your home without needing planning permission, and installing solar panels comes into this category.  These changes are called 'permitted development rights' Some local authorities require planning permission to allow you to fit a PV or solar water heating system, especially in conservation areas or on listed buildings. In general guidelines are that anything that does not intrude beyond the silhouette of a building, does not require permission..  We advise that you contact your local authority planning department for advice and also check if building regulations might apply.  If there are problems installing the panels on the roof, it may be possible to put a system in the grounds of your property.

Planning for wind turbines

Planning considerations

Any wind power generator on a mast over 8 metres tall requires planning permission. In our opinion there is no such thing as a mast that is too tall. For most of our wind turbine sites, the difference in cost between a 9 metre mast and a 15 metre mast is about £800, this extra cost is easily recompensed by the extra power from the wind turbine. Unfortunately some planners have struck a compromise and whilst denying planning permission for a wind generator on a 15m mast, have allowed permission for a 9m mast, this has also compromised power production and lengthened payback period.

We provide planning information packs for wind turbines that hopefully answers most of the questions raised, we suggest you view these documents having decided which turbine meets your needs or location and then forward to your local planners to gauge their view on such a development.

2.5kW wind turbine on a 11m mast

2.5kW wind turbine on a 15m mast

6kW wind turbine on a 9m mast

6kW wind turbine on a15m mast

15kW wind turbine on a 15m mast

Considerations for siteing of a wind turbine are various, from a power production point of view, the highest, unobstructed site, with consideration to prevailing winds, usually S,W, in the UK, local topography such as trees or buildings that might obstruct or cause turbulence, shortest power cable run to point of connection. From a practical point of view the esthetic siteing of a wind turbine that takes into account flickering shadows that might be a distraction may need to be considered.

FAQs

Are they noisy?
Gentle whooshing sound that is lower than background noise. We recommend visiting a site to evaluate for yourself. If planners require we can provide decibel ratings.

Do the kill birds?
Less than cats, cars and french windows

On yes2wind website myth of the month is: Wind turbines disturb migratory bird patterns.

Before a wind farm is given planning permission, a strict Environmental Impact Assessment must be undertaken and investigations into any possible disruption of local environment or wildlife. If the proposed site turns out to be on a path along which migrating birds frequently fly, the site will be adjusted to eliminate adverse impacts on the bird’s migrations and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds insists that the effects of any approved developments are monitored before and after construction. Available evidence suggests that appropriately positioned wind farms do not pose a significant hazard for birds. Migrating birds also usually fly at heights of 150m above the ocean or land, which is higher than most wind turbines.

Source: http://www.yes2wind.com/

As for roof-top wind turbines, you will still need to speak to your planning authority to se if it requires permission to erect a turbine at your location. There is very little independent testing of the roof mounted turbines at this time.