Preferential policies for solar power generation in villas

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.

Can solar power help decarbonise the UK energy sector?

Co-written by Matthew Fox and Toby Yeates of Pinsent Masons. The central role envisaged for solar power generation in supporting the decarbonisation of the UK energy sector is reflected in a draft revised planning policy designed to shape decision making on major renewable energy projects.

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 farms need planning permission?

nt Order must be sought from the Secretary of State. Below this threshold, solar farms will require planning permission from the local planning authority (LPA); under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, LPAs are responsible for renewable and low carbon

Should a target for solar generation be included in the NPS?

This equates to roughly 40GW of solar by 2030, and the solar industry body, Solar Energy UK, has demonstrated in its 2021 report “Lighting the Way” that this target is possible. We recommend that a target for solar generation should be included in the NPS.

Can solar projects be promoted under the NPS?

This has meant that, while utility scale solar projects have been able to be promoted under the NPS for energy infrastructure, developers have had to follow a more protracted route to gaining planning permission: developers have had to rely on the general policy support within EN-1 for their solar projects.