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Note:
Extracts from Development Control Guidance 2007 related to
installation of solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels
"13.2
Solar Water Heaters
As
noted in policy 13.1, the Authority will encourage the
use of renewable energy sources. Probably, the most feasible
are solar water heaters, which can provide hot water and so
reduce the consumption of electricity. This policy
positively encourages this form of energy provision,
whilst limiting its visual impact.
The collector
panels are normally inclined (but limited to an angle between
40º and 50º) and oriented to the direction from which
most sunshine can be captured (obstructions to the path
of the sun may dictate an orientation other than due
south). In general, the collectors should be sited so that they
are at a distance of twice the height of an obstacle away from
that obstacle. Although they do not necessarily have to
be located on a roof, the presence of obstructions
(higher buildings or structures) at ground level
generally means that in many situations a roof location is the
optimum position.
Given the angularity of the panels, the overall bulk of a
solar water heater and the reflectiveness of the materials
used in their construction, they may appear incongruous in
certain positions on the roofs of buildings. However,
any adverse impacts can be mitigated through appropriate
location and the siting of the storage tank within adjoining
washrooms or other existing roof structures. Multiple solar
water heaters will be acceptable on a building provided that
they each meet the criteria below.
MEPA will encourage the provision of solar water heaters
(1) at ground level, provided they would not have a
significant visual impact; or
(2) on the roofs of buildings provided that the
requirements of policy 13.5 relating to services on roof
structures are met"
"13.3 Photovoltaic (PV) Modules
MEPA will
positively encourage the provision of photovoltaic (PV)
modules (solar modules). These can be integrated in the
building envelope or mounted on separate dedicated supports
(stand-off arrays). Stand-off arrays can be placed on
existing roofs without any structural alterations. These
arrays are generally
light and mounted on free-standing frames, which can be
tilted and rotated to the most suitable orientation and pitch
according to site’s location and seasonal variation to
maximise collection. The areas required for solar
electricity generation are larger than for solar water
heater, although the arrays are likely to have less visual
impact because of the absence of a water tank and their smaller
bulk.
Solar Modules
integrated into the building fabric or envelope are
likely to be generally acceptable where they would not
adversely affect the character or appearance of an
historic building or area (particularly UCAs) or elsewhere
have an adverse impact on the townscape.
MEPA
will encourage the provision of photovoltaic solar modules
(1)
within the curtilage of buildings – provided they would not
have a significant visual impact;
(2) on
the roofs of buildings provided that the requirements
of policy 13.5 relating to services on roof structures are
adhered to.
(3)
within the fabric of a building - the Authority will have
regard to:
(a)
the overall visual impact of the installation on the building;
(b)
the relationship of the installation with the overall design
of the building and the extent to which it has been
satisfactorily integrated into that design;
(c)
the overall visual impact of the installation on the site and
its surroundings;
(d)
the orientation of the building and associated
requirements on PV systems;
(e)
the materials proposed to be used
And will
generally grant permission provided that the installation
does not have an adverse impact on the
appearance
of the building or of the area. "
"13.5
Services on Roof Structures
Some building
services, including water tanks, normally need to be situated
at roof level. Since water tanks, air conditioning units and
satellite dishes (of less than 1.2 metres diameter) are
generally small they do not give rise to a major visual
impact, although their materials and shape may appear at odds
with other roof structures. It is important, then, that
these services are appropriately sited and screened (as
appropriate to the building form, the site context etc, and
as approved in individual applications).
Where
satellite dishes, solar water heaters and PV collectors are
placed above on
the roof of the penthouse level, these are to be screened
in an appropriate manner. It will be expected that,
provided performance is not compromised, they will be
located and placed in a manner which is least likely to be
visually intrusive (possibly adjoining other services and/or
lift well).
For A and B
below, a layout plan of the roof of building /
penthouse is to be submitted showing location and screening
of services. This will be one of the approved drawings.
This
policy is applicable to the following services;
(i) Water
tanks
(ii)
Satellite dishes up to 1.2 m in diameter
(iii)
Air-conditioning units
(iv)
Solar water heaters
(v)
Photovoltaic collectors
For all
buildings, the placing of commercial generators, chillers or
any
other bulky equipment on the roof of washrooms, penthouse or
any
other part of the roofs will not be allowed.
A
For all major projects, the services are to be located in a
manner which will not make them visually intrusive. Location
within the building envelope itself is preferable. Any
service that is to be placed on the roof of the building
must be suitably screened and the screening is to be
integrated into the overall design of the building.
B For
developments which are not major projects and involve
penthouses, stair-hoods and washrooms, services may
be placed on the roof of these structures provided that:
a)
Services are placed as a cluster and located in a
manner which is least likely to result in negative
visual impact from nearby streets or from adjoining
buildings.
b)
All services are placed at least 2 metres from the
front and back edge of the roof of the penthouse,
stair-hood and washroom. For roofs that are less than 4m
deep, services are to be placed at least 2m from the front edge
of the roof only.
c)
The screening that is provided is integrated into the
overall design of the building and its roof structures.
d)
Water tanks and air-conditioners are to be suitably screened
by a non-solid screen (made of timber, coloured aluminium or
other suitable material). The height of screen is not to exceed
1.5 m.
e)
All such services shall not exceed a height of 1.5m above roof
of penthouse except for the solar water heater which should
not exceed an overall height (including any storage tank)
of 1.9m from the roof of the penthouse, stair-hood and
washroom.
f)
None of the
services are to be placed on the roof of the lift
well or any other structure which is higher than the roof of the
penthouse, stair-hood and washroom.
For Grade
1 and Grade 2 Scheduled Property and sites outside
the
development boundaries (ODZ), MEPA will not allow services on
the roof of the penthouses, stair-hoods and washrooms if the
negative visual impact of such services is considered to
be excessive."
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