Planning Permission for Solar Panels in Ireland

You typically don’t need planning permission for solar panels in Ireland.

However, there are limitations and rules you need to follow, if you want to go solar without the hassle of planning permission. The main rules for homes, industrial buildings, farms, etc., are shown below.

For the exact legislation, read S.I. 493 of 2022.

Houses

Solar panels on new houses in Ireland
You generally don’t need planning permission for solar panels on the roof of your home
General RulesIf in Architectural Conservation Areas, solar panels shouldn’t “materially affect the character of the area”
The panels shouldn’t cause “hazardous glint and/or glare” (to aircraft)
Rooftop Solar PanelsKeep panels at least 50 cm away from the edge of the roof
No area limit 🙂
Ground-Mounted Solar PanelsSolar panels must not be installed forward of the front wall of the house
Max area: 25 m2
Max height 2.5 m
Wall-Mounted Solar PanelsNot planning-exempt

Industrial Buildings

General RulesIf in Architectural Conservation Areas, the panels shouldn’t “materially affect the character of the area”
The panels shouldn’t cause “hazardous glint and/or glare” (to aircraft)
Energy generated must be intended primarily (i.e. at least 50%) for use within the curtilage of the building
Notify the local authority if you’re within a Solar Safeguarding Zone
No advertisements/non-essential sings allowed
Rooftop Solar PanelsKeep panels at least 2 m away from the edge of the flat roofs, 50 cm from the edge of pitched roofs
No area limit except in Solar Safeguarding Zones*
Ground-Mounted Solar PanelsThe panels must not be installed forward of the front wall of the building
Max area: 75 m2
Max height 2.5 metres
Wall-Mounted Solar PanelsMin distance from edge of wall: 50 cm
Max area: 75 m2

Business Premises/Light Industrial Buildings

General RulesIn Architectural Conservation Areas, the panels shouldn’t “materially affect the character of the area”
The panels shouldn’t cause “hazardous glint and/or glare” (to aircraft)
Energy generated must be intended primarily (i.e. at least 50%) for use within the curtilage of the building
Notify the local authority if you’re within a Solar Safeguarding Zone
No advertisements/non-essential sings allowed
Rooftop Solar PanelsKeep panels at least 2 m away from the edge of the flat roofs, 50 cm from the edge of pitched roofs
No area limit except in Solar Safeguarding Zones*
Ground-Mounted Solar PanelsThe panels must not be installed forward of the front wall of the building
Max area: 75 m2
Max height 2.5 m
Wall-Mounted Solar PanelsNot planning-exempt

Apartments

General RulesIn Architectural Conservation Areas, the panels shouldn’t “materially affect the character of the area”
The panels shouldn’t cause “hazardous glint and/or glare” (to aircraft)
Energy generated must be intended primarily (i.e. at least 50%) for use within the curtilage of the building
Notify the local authority if you’re within a Solar Safeguarding Zone
No advertisements/non-essential sings allowed
Rooftop Solar PanelsKeep panels at least 2 m away from the edge of the flat roofs, 50 cm from the edge of pitched roofs
No area limit except in Solar Safeguarding Zones*
Ground-Mounted Solar PanelsNot planning-exempt
Wall-Mounted Solar PanelsNot planning-exempt

Schools, Hospitals, Churches, Community Centres, etc.

General RulesIn Architectural Conservation Areas, the panels shouldn’t “materially affect the character of the area”
The panels shouldn’t cause “hazardous glint and/or glare” (to aircraft)
Energy generated must be intended primarily (i.e. at least 50%) for use within the curtilage of the building
Notify the local authority if you’re within a Solar Safeguarding Zone
No advertisements/non-essential sings allowed
Rooftop Solar PanelsKeep panels at least 2 m away from the edge of the flat roofs, 50 cm from the edge of pitched roofs
No area limit except in Solar Safeguarding Zones*
Ground-Mounted Solar PanelsMax area: 75 m2
Wall-Mounted Solar PanelsNot planning-exempt

Farms

Solar Panels on the roof of a farm building
General RulesIf in Architectural Conservation Areas, the panels shouldn’t “materially affect the character of the area”
The panels shouldn’t cause “hazardous glint and/or glare” (to aircraft)
Energy generated must be intended primarily (i.e. at least 50%) for on-farm use
Notify the local authority if you’re within a Solar Safeguarding Zone
No advertisements/non-essential sings allowed
Rooftop Solar PanelsKeep panels at least 2 m away from the edge of the flat roofs, 50 cm from the edge of pitched roofs
No area limit except in Solar Safeguarding Zones*
Ground-Mounted Solar PanelsThe panels must not be installed forward of the front wall of the nearest agricultural structure
Max area: 75 m2
Max height 2.5 m
Wall-Mounted Solar PanelsMax area: 75 m2

*What Are Solar Safeguarding Zones?

Solar safeguarding zones are locations where planning permission exemptions for solar panels are generally limited to 300 m2 of panel area (~60 kW) per roof. This is to protect aviation pilots from “glint and glare”. The limit does not apply to solar panels on houses, and it is more solar than most small business are likely to install.

If your business is in a solar safeguarding zone then solar panel arrays greater than 300 m2 in area will need planning permission. Check the map below to find out if your business is in one of those areas:

What if Your Proposed Solar Panel System is Not Planning Exempt?

If the solar panel system you want is not exempt from planning permission, then you will have to apply for planning permission. This involves submitting architectural drawings of the solar panels to your local authority and filling out a form. You must also put a notice in your local newspaper and outside your house. Then you will have to wait at least five weeks to allow for objections. The process usually takes upwards of 12 weeks in total.