Wicklow Residents Will No Longer Require Planning Permission To Install Solar Panels.

Steven Matthews TD confirmed that red tape is to be removed for the installation of solar panels.

Green Party TD for Wicklow Steven Matthews has confirmed that the Oireachtas Housing Committee has approved recommendations for planning exemptions for solar panel installations which will allow the Minister to sign the exemptions into law early next week.

This will remove the extra cost and complexity that currently comes with installing solar panels on private and community buildings.

This will also mean that Wicklow residents will no longer require planning permission to put solar panels across residential rooftops, farm buildings, schools, community centres and a range of commercial buildings.

Deputy Steven Matthews says that:

“Despite several delays over the past year, I’m delighted to see these proposals confirmed by the committee today which will remove unnecessary cost and complexity that currently comes with installing solar panels on private and community buildings. Following referral to the Dáil next week I expect the exemptions to be in place within a number of days. The demand for homegrown, renewable energy has never been so high, given the context of today’s fossil fuel crisis and soaring energy costs, so these exemptions cannot come into place soon enough. Solar power makes sense, it works well in our Irish climate, it saves money, has a short payback time and it provides secure energy for homes and businesses.

He also says that a simple step can be taken after a recent visit to St. Patrick's National School in Wicklow town: