24/1145/PDPVPlanning Application 24/1145/PDPV

The solar photovoltaic (PV) installation is proposed on the roofs of Vantage Point, Pynes Hill, Exeter EX2 5FD. At around 93.28kW in total the proposed PV installation is below the permitted development threshold of 1 Megawatt (MW). Total 212 solar panels will be installed on the proposed building of the site. The roof pitch of the proposed structure is 20 degrees, and the panels will face 219. The total area of the pitched roof is estimated to be ~ 604.34m2. The proposed solar PV equipment has, as far as practicable, been sited to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. The roof slopes that the solar PV panels will be mounted on are pitched and the PV panels will be mounted on frames parallel to the existing roof pitch so will have a minimal effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. The solar PV equipment will not: ?Project more than 200mm from the roof slopes. nor ?Be installed within 1 metre of the external edges of the roofs. The solar PV equipment will be removed as soon as reasonably practicable when no longer needed. The effect of glint and glare are considered to be minimal and localised. Both glint and glare attenuate with distance, with glare reducing rapidly. Several aspects of the installation will reduce the risks further: ?Solar PV panels are purposely designed to absorb rather than reflect light, as any reflection would waste potential energy. The surface of PV panels is intentionally rough to reduce reflection and facilitate absorption of the maximum quantity of sunlight. A 2009 study of solar panels showed that solar panels reflected 3-5% of incoming sunlight, which was less than steel (approximately 46%), standard glass (approximately 10%) or smooth water (approximately 5%). (Source: SunPower Solar Module Glare and Reflectance Technical Notification, T09014, September 2009). ?The aluminium and steel which make up the solar panel frames and mounting

24/1145/PDPV