PLANNING SOLAR FOR YOUR PERIOD HOME?
Updated October 24th, 2025
By Morgan Pierce
A friend down in the country called in a state. Some new neighbours have just acquired a period pile across the valley – a home that happens to have a hundreds of years old castellated tower at one corner – and have put solar panels on its roof. It was a sacrilege, my friend thundered. How could it be allowed?
Even as the head of one of Ireland’s leading solar companies, I have to agree with her – it probably is a sacrilege. And it’s probably not allowed.
The Irish government did homeowners, and the country’s climate change targets, a great service back in 2022 by eliminating the need for planning permission on most solar installations.
Under those new regulations, limits to the number of solar panels that could be installed on the rooftops of homes were removed. Panels could even cover the entire roof area of a house. The new legislation is now in effect throughout the country.
Eliminating the solar planning obstacle has done wonders for the uptake of solar, and it’s just the kind of move that we in the industry have long championed.
That said, there are limits.
The blanket solar planning exemption does not apply to Protected Structures (like the period tower that so upset my friend) or structures located in Architectural Conservation Areas. Under the legislation, works like the installation of solar – on a protected structure or proposed protected structure – can only be carried out if the work in question does not “materially affect the character of the structure”.
In the circumstance mentioned – in which solar panels were attached in a visually obtrusive way to the roof of a period building – that would certainly seem to have “materially affected” the character of the building.
This doesn’t mean that one can never install solar on a period home. Instead, it means that homeowners should seek good advice on how to do so in a way that preserves the character and integrity of the building and then use that good advice to apply for solar planning permission.
That way, one can stay on the right side of the law – and the neighbours.
Solar Planning and Creative Solutions
At SolarSmart, we know that not every home is “ready-made” to adapt to solar, that’s why we’ve taken steps to adapt our solar installations to the needs of individual homes.
We’ve long been working with Solar Structures on a range of custom designs – from lean-to style bike sheds, to verandas and awnings, to pergolas and car ports – to make it possible for those living in protected buildings to install solar in ways that are compatible with the existing structure.
Solar Structures steel and timber frames come in a variety of colours. The company will work with our customers to ensure the space suits the purpose. They design and prefabricate the “space” and SolarSmart handles the installation of solar technology to suit the energy needs of our customers.
Our partnership with Solar Structures also enables us to provide suitable frames for ground-mounted solar systems. Ground mounting can be a useful alternative if the orientation, pitch or size of a roof isn’t ideal for solar panels, or for a period residence on which panels would not be acceptable.
Ground-mounted solar looks very much like what you see at a solar farm. By taking the position of your roof out of the equation, ground mounting allows us to adapt the orientation and angle of the panels to maximise the energy produced. Ground-mounted solar can also include a tracking mechanism, which keeps the panels angled toward the sun all day long.
Where solar planning is required, we can provide advice to help you apply for the relevant permission.
Reliable solar installers care about Ireland’s built heritage as much as we do about the environment. If you think one of these creative solar solutions might be just what you’re looking for, give us a call.
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.
