Page 368 - A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems

Chapter 19 • Solar Panels in the Landscape 375

19.2.1 Building-Mounted Panels

Solar panels can be mounted on buildings and are usually retrofitted to existing build-
ings. The building provides the support structure, ideally on a south-facing roof slope that
provides both aspect and tilt. The panels are fixed to the existing roof or mounted on low
supports to gain tilt on flat roofs. Cabling can then be internal to the building.
There has been a significant uptake of domestic solar schemes by private homeowners
in the uK, such that roof mounted solar panels are now a common sight. Several local au-
thorities in the uK have invested heavily in installing solar panels to local authority-owned
properties throughout the country. In addition, businesses have sought the benefits of re-
newable and micro-energy generation subsidies (such as the recent “feed in tariff” sub-
sidy) by installing solar panels on farm buildings, industrial buildings, office buildings,
etc. Public buildings such as schools, hospitals, and council buildings have also seen an
increasing number of solar installations (Fig. 19.2).
As a result, solar panels are a common sight on buildings throughout the uK, even as
far as northern Scotland, where although sunlight duration and intensity may be lower
than southern England and Europe, there is sufficient light to generate power using the
latest and most efficient technology (Fig. 19.3).
retrofitted solar panels are classed as permitted development (not requiring plan-
ning consent) in the uK, provided that the building is not listed, is not in a designated
area, and the panels are of a standard design. For listed buildings valued for their ar-
chitectural merit, solar panels would need to be carefully sited (e.g., located on the rear

FIGURE 19.2 Solar panels retrofitted onto existing buildings, Otterburn First School, Northumberland UK.
Photo: B. Dower (all rights reserved).