Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
631. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to bring in planning exemptions for the installation of solar panels on public buildings or community buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3338/26]
View answerMy Department introduced the Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022, which came into effect on 5 October 2022 and provided for substantial updates to the provisions regarding planning exemptions for rooftop solar installations.
There is now no rooftop limit on houses and new exemptions were also introduced for the erection of solar panels on apartments and certain other buildings including hospitals, libraries, educational buildings and places of worship.
All exemptions are subject to certain conditions and limitations such as minimum distances from the edge of the roof and the general restrictions on exempted development in respect of protected structures and Architectural Conservation Areas.
My Department considers these provisions to be an effective measure which have significantly assisted with the roll out of rooftop solar, particularly on the domestic level, and meeting climate targets in this regard.
