Removal Of Government Red Tape For Large Rooftop Solar Is Good News
Gabriel Wondrausch, the chief of SunGift Solar, has reacted positively to news that the red tape is being removed from large rooftop schemes, with all systems up to 1MW being classed as "˜permitted development'.
"This is excellent news for businesses and farmers in the south west," said Gabriel Wondrausch of SunGift Solar.
"Commercial rooftops are by far the best place to put solar panels as they help businesses to considerably reduce their overheads, lower their carbon emissions, and lessen their reliance on the big energy companies. In fact, many use 100 percent of the energy they generate to power their businesses during the day. We've installed a large number of solar systems on businesses' roofs, and although we've never had a planning application refused for one, many of those who would have liked bigger systems actually stopped at 50 kW because they felt the bureaucracy was too much of a hassle."
Gabriel's comments follow today's announcement that Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for communities and local government, has increased the permitted development threshold for rooftop solar panels installed on commercial property from 50 kW to 1MW. Using typical 250W panels this increases the number of panels that a business can have installed without planning permission from 200 to 4,000.
"This move will open the doors for more energy be installed where it is best suited and for businesses to take control of their own energy needs without the annoyance of the additional red tape," added Gabriel.
"Large system bring with them significant economies of scale too, so "“ thanks to the still generous Feed-in Tariff rates "“ many businesses will continue generate up to a 20 percent return on their initial investment in solar."
170 kW of solar PV installed by SunGift Energy at Darts Farm in March 2015
SunGift Solar has completed a large number of solar installs on the roofs companies that use 100% of the energy they generate to power their daily activities. These include a 250kW array on the Met Office's Energy Centre, a 200kW array for Gregory distribution, 170kW for UK Farm Shop of the Year Darts Farm, and 200kW on the roof of Numatic (manufacturer of Henry vacuum cleaners).
