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National Park Authority Produces Solar Panel Advice Leaflet

It is interesting to hear that the Peak District National Park Authority have issued a leaflet entitled “Design and Siting of Solar Panels” to provide people with guidance on where best to have solar panels installed and about the design of them. It is also possible to view the leaflet on the Internet.

Dovedale
(image credit: Nigel

Although really drawn up for the benefit of people living in listed buildings within the national park it could still prove beneficial reading for any homeowner or the owner of a business that is located within the beautiful national park.

The Peak District National Park Authority is supportive of renewable energy schemes as long as they do not have a detrimental impact on the national park’s conservation.

Advice contained within the leaflet covers such things as: –

  • Select a design that is as least noticeable as possible.
  • Select a location to site your solar panels that is as least visible as possible.
  • Prior to giving consideration to having solar panels installed look at other ways of making the property as energy efficient as possible such as draught proofing and various types of insulation i.e. loft insulation.

It must be remembered that, although planning regulations have been relaxed of late, when it comes to listed buildings, owners will require the prior consent of the local authority in order to have solar panels installed. It is also suggested that, even if you do not own a listed building, that you still check with the local authority that it is acceptable to install the solar panels and that planning permission is not required.

Obviously the Peak District National Park Authority is keen to ensure that the national park’s character is not harmed so it suggests the favoured sites to locate solar panels are: –

  • Ground-mounted solar panels located in the garden as they are more easily maintained and not as visible as solar panels placed on a roof.
  • If they are to be sited on the roof then the front roof slope should be avoided.

As for the design of the solar panels, it is felt that they should be plain, thin, dark and have as little shine as possible.

The advice has been provided jointly with all the national park authorities in England and Wales.

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