The Solar Trade Association Scotland has welcomed this consultation, after the issue was raised at all levels of the Scottish government as a barrier to more solar deployment.
STA Scotland chairman, John Forster, said: “We are delighted that, so soon after our engagement with the Scottish government, Scotland is not just going to equal but go further than England on permitted development for solar.
“This will help enormously in fulfilling Scotland’s solar potential and fulfilling Scotland’s 100 percent renewables target. But most importantly, it will make it easier for Scottish businesses to save money on their energy bills by putting solar on their roofs.”
In England the waiver only applies to roof installations up to 1MW in size, the size of a big warehouse or factory. In Scotland there will be no upper limit to the size of the roof or installation.
The proposals will now undergo a process of consultation and all interested parties have until August to respond. The final decision will be confirmed thereafter.