Homeowners free to install solar panels

Published on Monday 9 February 2009 21:22

HOUSEHOLDERS will be able to install solar panels and other energy devices on their homes without planning permission under new laws announced yesterday by the Scottish Government.

The new laws will cover ground-source heat pumps, solar panels and flues from biomass stoves and boilers. Planning permission was previously needed before they were installed. However, there was criticism that the laws did not cover the use of home wind turbines or air-source heat pumps.

The Scottish Government said that more research was needed before deciding whether to allow micro-turbines without planning permission, and announced that would make a decision before the end of the year.

There have been concerns about noise, and there were plans to allow them on buildings at least 100 metres apart.

Jason Ormiston, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: "We are disappointed that after more than two years of work the Scottish Government does not have the confidence to extend development to micro-wind and air-source heat pumps."