Solar and Roofing Business Welcomes Review of Scottish Solar Planning Laws

THE ANNOUNCEMENT this week that the Scottish Government has pledged to consult on reforming planning rules for non-domestic solar panel installation has been welcomed by industry.

In a letter written by Planning Minister Tom Arthur and Chief Planner Fiona Simpson, the government officials said there are actions the Scottish planning department can take to help alleviate cost of living pressures stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, economic pressures and the climate crisis.

Responding to these pressures, the Scottish Government has pledged to consult on lifting the need to obtain planning permission for larger solar installations on non-domestic buildings early next year.

Scottish Solar Planning Laws

Scotland has more restrictive planning rules for solar than in England, and the solar industry has lobbied for these to be brought in line to encourage energy generation from renewables in Scotland.

John Forster, Chairperson of the Forster Group

John Forster, Chairperson of the Forster Group, providers of roofing and solar services, said: “The announcement that the Scottish Government intends to consult on reforming planning regulations for non-domestic solar installations is very welcome news against an increasingly bleak economic picture.

“It’s clear that current planning rules are no longer fit for purpose and will do very little to help commercial businesses take more control of their own energy generation and usage. If consumers wish to install solar panels to support their own energy generation then we should make it as easy as possible.

“It’s reassuring to learn that the Scottish Government is listening to the solar energy industry and taking our concerns and recommendations seriously.

“The ongoing energy crisis has made consumers, both domestic and commercial, more aware that carbon-based fuels need to be phased out faster and that our increasingly electric energy future should come from renewable sources.

“While overall awareness of alternative energy sources is growing, more work needs to be done to educate consumers on how they can have greater control of their own energy affordability, using different sources of renewable energy, flexibly. Solar energy has a crucial role to play.

“As Scotland’s largest integrated solar and roofing business we look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government and policy makers to implement viable solutions to ensure a more balanced and sustainable energy future.”

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