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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT BY DEPUTY J.M. MAÇON OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 19th JANUARY 2016
Question
Would the Minister advise what consideration, if any, has been given by the Department to require solar panelling to be installed as standard on any new development for (a) commercial developments (b) residential developments and (c) any other category of development?
Answer
As part of the assessment of any planning application, the department and the Planning Applications Committee must take into account all of the material considerations which are relevant to that case. The primary material consideration will be the States' approved Island Plan, 2011 (amended 2014).
There is no policy within the Island Plan which specifically requires that solar panels are fitted to all new development as standard. However, the Plan does contain policy NR7 – "Renewable Energy in New developments". This policy applies to residential developments of 10 units or more and all non-residential developments with a gross floor space of 1,000 square metres or more. The policy requires that such developments incorporate into their design low carbon or renewable energy technology sufficient to off-set at least 10% of their predicted carbon emissions. In addition, all new buildings must meet demanding energy reduction targets set under the building bye-laws. The cumulative aim of these policies is to encourage carbon reductions using a range of technologies, of which solar power is one part.