Integration of solar energy collectors into an old building

    SOLAR PANELS AND PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

1- The ecological properties of solar energy

* Fights against the growth of the greenhouse effect.

* Renewable material.

* No combustion involved

“2-Relevant planning regulations”

Panels that are not part of a building.

The panels must not increase the floor-space and must not be more than 12 metres high. There are no formalities to accomplish planning regulations as long as the panels are not being installed in a conservation area, whose boundaries have been delimited, or a classified site (R42l-2a), in which case a declaration must be made beforehand.

Solar panels added to an existing building.

When the solar panels are to be added to an existing building, a declaration must be made beforehand as the panels will alter the appearance of the building.

Panels integrated into a new building.

The application to install the panels is considered at the same time as the formality concerning the project as a whole : this is usually a planning application.

Electricity infrastructure that might be involved in the project.

The project might include other buildings or installations which necessitate a planning permit :

• Power lines : below 63,000 volts, a declaration must be made beforehand ; over 63,000 volts, planning permission is required (article R 421-9 d).

• Buildings such as an electrical substation necessitate a declaration beforehand if they are to result in a gross floor area of between 2 m² and 20 m² (article R 421-9a), above which planning permission is required.

3-Steps concerning the application of the regulations.

In all cases, whether or not the project necessitates the accomplishment of prior formalities, regulations concerning ground use must be observed.

The project must comply with any rules and easements applicable in the area where it is to be carried out.

If the land in question falls within the jurisdiction of a town-planning document, the regulations sometimes include an exhaustive list of buildings authorised in nature areas.

If the projected installation consists of a field of solar panels with the purpose of selling on the electricity, the installation may form part of a public interest infrastructure or a technical installation needed to ensure the correct functioning of public utilities. If this is not the case, the installation will only be possible after modifying or revising the document.

4-Evaluation of the quality of the architecture with respect to the outside appearance of the building or its approaches.

There are regulations concerning the architecture of the project :

« Matters of public interest include the architectural design, the quality of the buildings, their successful integration into the surroundings or landscape, respect for the natural or built environment and respect for national heritage ». Architecture Act, January 3rd, 1977.

5- Evaluation criteria :

Criterion N° 1 : Nature of the building :

Account must be taken of the intended use of the building : dwelling, activity, institution, whether or not it will be open to the public, tourism, cultural events etc.

The merit of the project is evaluated differently according to whether it is a new building, a heritage rehabilitation project, a lightweight, moveable installation etc.

Critère 2 : Insertion of the project :

The project must be viewed in context, i.e. in relation to its immediate surroundings, the landscape, existing buildings, the contours of the site etc.

Critère 3 : Concrete aspects :

The building’s layout, its location within the plot of land, its proportions and geometry, the quality of the materials used, their appropriateness to the surroundings.

6-Formalities concerning the evaluation of the project

Planning application dossier or declaration dossier

Using the criteria described above, an evaluation of the architectural merit of the project is carried out based on a dossier consisting of the following documents. (Articles R 431-7 to R 431-11 of the Planning Regulations) :

Notice : R 431-8.

Site plan : R 431-9

Plan of façades, roof, cross-sections, illustrations, photographs : R 431-10

Documents relating specifically to conservation areas or listed buildings (illustration showing the original and intended future interior appearance of the building) : R 431-11

Further evidence may be required in ABF (public service architects specialising in historic buildings) sectors (materials to be used and method of construction) : R 431-14

Submission of dossier

The dossier must be submitted to the Town Hall

Time limits :

1 month for a declaration of intent.

2 months for a private house.

3 months for all other buildings.

The time limit can be extended according to the nature of the project (E.R.P [building open to the public], commercial installation, project subject to a public inquiry, recommendation of a departmental or regional committee etc) or its location (ABF sectors) etc.

Notification of any such extended time limits or any further evidence required to complete the dossier must be given within a month of the dossier having been presented to the Town Hall.

Consideration of the dossier only begins when all required documentation has been provided.

Comparison of the project with local planning documents

 Article R111-21 of the planning regulations.
 The local planning document (POS/PLU) or the map of the commune.
 National town-planning regulations.

This comparison is based on an evaluation of the project by an architect :

 The architect or landscape designer who advises the DDEA (Departmental infrastructure and agriculture directorate) ( 2 sessions a month each).
 An ABF architect if the project falls within his/her remit

It also takes into consideration other documents such as :

 The Ariège landscapes atlas, prepared by the Ariège General Council, which describes the landscape and architectural features and issues of each locality.
 Heritage inventories drawn up by the CAUE (Architecture, Town-Planning and Environment Advisory Service).

Decision-making bodies

The competent authorities with respect to making this decision are :
 The Mayor, if s/he has taken on this authority
 The Mayor, acting on behalf of the State, if this is not the case
 The Prefect, for public buildings other than those belonging to the commune, or in cases where the service considering the application and the Mayor acting on behalf of the State are not of the same opinion.

Conclusion

The development of renewable and non-polluting energy sources is to be promoted, whilst at the same time ensuring that this does not go against other important issues of public interest such as architecture and landscape.

Taking such issues into consideration may cause the relevant authorities to refuse solar panel installation projects if they present problems concerning their integration into the architectural environment. Article provided by the inter-council committee, 24/01/2008