Energy

Irish homes and businesses can soon install solar panels without planning permission

It’s hoped the change will reduce reliance on fossil fuels

Planning rules: officials hope the move will be a ‘game changer’. Picture: Getty

Planning restrictions for installing large numbers of solar panels on top of homes, schools, and businesses are due to be scrapped within days.

Under the current rules, planning permission is required to cover more than 12 square metres of a household roof, or more than 50 square metres of a business premises, with solar photovoltaic panels.

The government has drafted new regulations which will get rid of this requirement for homes, businesses and schools, allowing ...