The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on permitted development rights – a waiving of planning permission if certain requirements are fulfilled – for commercial non-domestic rooftop solar.

The Solar Trade Association Scotland said it has welcomed the 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 per cent 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.”

The announcement follows a similar move south of the border earlier this year, and goes further as 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.

STA Scotland has also welcomed the fact that the proposed permitted development rights will not require prior notification, will apply to solar thermal as well as solar PV and will also apply near airports.

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.

Domestic solar on residential homes already benefits from this exemption from planning permission.