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Use of photovoltaics in Jersey

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2015.06.02

4.9   Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Planning and Environment regarding the use of photovoltaics in Jersey:

Will the Minister advise whether there are any plans to optimise the use of photovoltaics in Jersey and in particular on States-owned buildings? What steps, if any, is he taking to encourage their general usage where appropriate?

Deputy S.G. Luce of St. Martin (The Minister for Planning and Environment):

Last year this Assembly agreed Pathway 2050, our energy plan that sets ambitious targets for us to reduce carbon emissions. Reducing renewable energy on-Island and off-Island is also part of that plan and renewables, even at the micro scale, increase our fuel security. In addition, those renewables also displace high carbon sources of energy like oil and gas and if they do that will help us to meet the carbon reduction challenge. While I cannot comment on future plans for the use of the P.V. (photovoltaic) cells in States-owned buildings, this currently being within the scope of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, I can give the Deputy a very brief summary of the planning position. Such devices are currently exempt from planning control, subject to certain criteria. Up to 50 per cent of a roof plane can be covered in P.V. cells except on listed buildings and within the final approaches of the runway at the airport. Members may be aware that my department is currently reviewing the extent of permitted development rights within the planning and building law and, while I cannot yet give any firm commitment because this review is still the subject of Scrutiny input and public consultation, I can advise Members that I am actively considering the increase in the amount of P.V. cells that can be erected on a building without planning permission. I expect that the reduction in the cost of P.V. cells, together with the measures I have just mentioned, will encourage their uptake and our own progress to a decarbonised future.

4.9.1 Deputy M. Tadier :

I thank the Minister for that detailed answer and some encouraging words. Does he agree that while it might be up to the Minister for Treasury and Resources to look at putting P.V.s on States buildings, that presumably we are moving towards more joined-up government and it is probably not uncommon for the 2 of them to speak? Do we think that on buildings that we know are going to be there for quite a long time ... like perhaps the swimming pool roof at Fort Regent which I think is south facing, would be ideal for P.V.s but certainly other buildings that are either current or planned such as the Esplanade Quarter? Perhaps he could give an undertaking that a certain percentage of the roof at the Esplanade Quarter should be covered in photovoltaic panels before any construction is started?

The Deputy of St. Martin :

While I cannot give specific assurances on the buildings on the finance centre, what I can do is assure the Deputy that any new buildings from now on that are approved, especially if they are large buildings and States-owned buildings, will certainly be taking into account the ability to use renewable energy. I would point the Deputy at one of our most recent States projects, which is the new school building in my own Parish of St. Martin where not only do we have solar panels on the roof but we are capturing all the water off the site to be reused within the school, and I am very confident that that building will be an exemplar in the future for other States buildings. I quite agree with the Deputy . In future we have got to make better use of solar power and especially on large buildings with south-facing roofs. If the swimming pool at Fort Regent was constructed again tomorrow I would expect the whole of the roof to be covered in solar panels.