The legislation presented in the following pages of this PDF file concerns the installation of solar energy equipment and co-located energy storage assets in artificial structures, such as buildings and rooftops. Its primary aim is to accelerate the permit-granting process for these installations, ensuring a maximum of 3 months to obtain a permit.
One of the most remarkable features of this legislation is that it allows for exemptions from environmental impact assessments, which were mandatory in similar cases before. That is, the installations of solar energy equipment discussed here shall be exempted from the requirement, if applicable, of being subjected to a determination whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment, or from the requirement to carry out a dedicated environmental impact assessment. This expedited permit-granting process applies for installations with a capacity of 50 kW or less.
Member States may exclude certain areas or structures from the provisions of this legislation due to reasons of cultural or historical heritage protection, or for reasons related to national defence interests or safety. This is relevant for professionals and enthusiasts in the field of Heritage, as they will need to consider whether their projects might fall under this category.
Regarding the repowering of renewable energy power plants, this legislation provides a permit-granting process that shall not exceed 6 months, including environmental impact assessments where required by relevant legislation. Where the repowering does not result in an increase in the capacity of the renewable energy power plant beyond 15%, grid connections to the transmission or distribution grid shall be permitted within 3 months following the application to the relevant entity.
This legislation can have a significant impact on the heritage sector, as solar energy equipment installations within historical and cultural heritage structures may impact the buildings’ appearance and preservation. Therefore, it is crucial to examine this document carefully and ensure compliance with national regulations concerning Heritage conservation whenever appropriate.
