Poor planning advice with regard to the installation of solar panels is leading to much confusion in the constituency of Carlow/Kilkenny”

So said Cllr. Mary White Deputy leader of the Green Party.

Cllr. White said,
” It now appears that planning permission is needed and that there are no exemptions for the installation of solar panels in Kilkenny but in Carlow the position is more fluid. Carlow Local Authority has stated that there is nothing ” set in stone” and that a drawing and specifications are needed but that that the Council is supportive of such installations. I am calling on both Local Authorities to highlight the need to encourage the installation of solar panels, given the high cost of Natural Gas electricity and oil in this country and the need to meet our renewable energy targets. I welcome the new Greener Homes grants of €3,600 for a solar panel grant and the growing interest among consumers to cut energy costs.

Ireland is very vulnerable to oil and gas price fluctuations and the situation is currently very unstable. 87% of our energy needs comes from imported fossil fuels which s almost twice the European average. Local Authorities must have a clear unambiguous attitude to solar panel installation. The role of the Local Authority must be to encourage solar panels in homes and not try and force planning permission on the installation of solar panels on residential houses. Provided the house is not a protected structure or where a panel might be too large in scale, County Councils must be proactive and cut out the red tape and petty bureaucracy to allow people save energy by the instillation of solar panels without planning permission.

more information
Cllr. Mary White
Deputy leader Green Party
087 270 71 89

Filed under: Mary White TD