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Rooftop solar panels for us

e Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke, TD, has published proposed revisions to the existing planning exemptions for the installation of solar panels on the roofs of houses and certain non-domestic buildings in Kilkenny and elsewhere in the country.

A public consultation as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process is now open and will run until July 13. e proposed changes are aimed at increasing Ireland’s generation of solar energy and national action on climate change.

Commenting on the draft regulations, Minister Burke TD said: “ ese draft regulations will help facilitate the rollout of rooftop solar energy across Kilkenny. ey will enable individuals, communities, businesses and farms in the county to play their part in creating a future fuelled by renewable energy and acting against climate change. " ey will help people and businesses in Kilkenny to reduce their energy bills and increase Ireland’s energy security, a major challenge given developments in Europe and the need to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels.”

Under the draft regulations the following is proposed: • For solar panel installations on houses: it is proposed to increase the existing planning exemptions for installing solar panels on rooftops of homes, regardless of their geographical location. Solar installations will be able to cover the entire roof of a house, subject to minor setback distances from the edge of the roof. • For solar panel installations on rooftops of all other existing classes of development (Industrial; Light Industrial and Business Premises; Agricultural): rooftop solar installations covering the entire roof are proposed to be exempt from requiring planning permission. However, in 43 proposed solar safeguarding zones, the existing exemption of 50 square metres or less is proposed to be increased to 60 square metres per building. ese proposed solar safeguarding zones, which constitute less than 3% of the country’s land area, are necessary to address aviation safety concerns due to the potential impact of glint and glare arising from increased solar developments in proximity to sites such as airports and hospitals (which have helipads). Anyone seeking to avail of larger rooftop solar installations within solar safeguarding zones can apply for planning permission. • Apartments; educational/community/religious/ health/recreational buildings and libraries: for the rst time, it is proposed to exempt the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of such buildings from requiring planning permission, subject to conditions and the rooftop area limit in proposed solar safeguarding zones. • Exemptions for wallmounted and free-standing solar panel installations: free-standing solar panel installations for houses are exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission subject to a 25 square metre area limit and conditions requiring a certain amount of private open space to be maintained for the use of occupants. e exempted area for all other categories except apartments is proposed to be increased to 60 square metres. In addition, wall mounted solar installations of 60 square metres will also be exempted for industrial and agricultural buildings.

Vicky Phelan takes a break in sunny Spain

CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan recently jetted o on the well-deserved break with her two children, Amelia and Darragh and her former partner Jim.

After the recent delays in Dublin Airport, Vicky opted to fy out of Shannon Airport, bypassing the hustle and bustle of Dublin.

Kilkenny native Ms Phelan shared and update on her health as condition 'stable enough' for her holiday in stunning Spanish villa with her family.

Posting to Instagram, the author wrote: "Just back home since yesterday evening from a much-needed, wonderful week away in Spain with Jim and the kids." "I got the go ahead a couple of weeks ago from my medical team that my disease was stable enough for me to go away on holidays and I jumped at the opportunity."

Vicky and Jim, who separated in 2017 but live together with their children as a family unit, opted to go through a travel agent for the trip. "I got in touch with my travel agent @jean.cusack at @icontravelwaterford who did an amazing job putting together our epic three week holiday to New Zealand just before Covid-19 came into our lives, to see about putting together a package that would suit my current circumstances," she wrote.

Lovely hurling: