Solar PV installations in Ireland increasingly require planning permission, particularly for ground-mounted systems and larger rooftop arrays. This guide walks you through the process.
Do You Need Planning Permission?
Under Irish planning regulations, many rooftop solar PV systems are exempt from planning permission provided they meet certain conditions:
- The system does not exceed 12 square metres on a house roof
- The panels do not project more than 15cm from the roof surface
- The installation is not on a protected structure
Ground-mounted systems and commercial rooftop installations almost always require full planning permission from your local authority.
What Documents Are Required?
A typical solar PV planning application in Ireland requires:
- Site location map — showing the site in context
- Site layout plan — showing the position of panels on the site
- PV layout drawing — showing panel arrangement, row spacing, and setbacks
- Elevations and sections — showing panel height and tilt
- Equipment layout — showing inverter, transformer, and substation locations
- Glint and glare assessment — required for most ground-mounted sites
- Landscape plan — often required to show screening and planting
Glint and Glare Assessment
Most local authorities in Ireland require a glint and glare assessment for ground-mounted solar farms. This report analyses whether reflected sunlight from the panels could cause a nuisance to nearby residents, roads, or aviation routes.
A pre-simulation can be carried out early in the design process to compare different tilt and azimuth options before committing to a final layout.
Landscape Plan
Planning authorities frequently request a landscape mitigation plan showing how the site will be screened from sensitive viewpoints. This typically involves native hedgerow planting, tree belts, or earth bunding around the perimeter.
Timelines
Planning applications in Ireland typically take 8 weeks for a decision, though this can extend if the authority requests additional information. Early preparation of a complete drawing pack reduces the risk of delays.
Get Support
We prepare council-ready planning drawing packs, glint and glare reports, and landscape plans for solar PV projects across Ireland. Contact us to discuss your project.