Neighbours extension/growth of tree causing new shading in the future

[Martin Dawes]

I was asked an interesting question earlier from a potential customer and I couldn't give them an answer.

She has had a new extension built up to the boundary line with her neighbour and she wants to have a 4kW solar array installed on the roof facing her neighbour. I was concerned how much shading she would get from her neighbours roof but from checking with my solar horizon tool it seems the roof will only shade on the widest and lowest part of the array during the morning and afternoons of the deep winter months.

This seemed okay until she asked what would happen if the neighbour decided to build up to her boundary line.

This would have a far greater impact on the shading and would mean that a potential 4kW system would have to be reduced to as little as 2kW (by removing the two lower rows of panels).

My question is, would a customers solar array be a factor when deciding on approving planning permission? I suspect it will change from council to council and I doubt any of them would even consider it a factor.

The issue obviously stretches to neighbours trees too. If a tree starts to create shading 10 years down the line, do they have any powers to ask them to have it cut back?

 

[Oli]

hmmmm.. Good question, I have no idea of the answer save to say that id be pretty angry if my neighbour did something that stopped me from extending my own property in the future!

 

[malcolmsanford]

As the law stands, AFAIK, there are not regulations in place to stop building work, or to enforce tree pruning regarding PV systems. I'm sure though as these snake oil systems become more popular, until this government cut's the FIT that is, that this question will get raised and some legislation will be brought in.

I'm though waiting for the rest of the country to relaise as Bristol and Avon have that Nuclear is the right way to go.