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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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