Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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511. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason solar panels were not installed on any of the new housing at a location (details supplied); if there are any plans for new builds to be required to have a minimum number of solar panels in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7449/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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All new dwellings must comply with building regulations, the aim of which is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. The Building Regulations set out the minimum requirements for the construction of new buildings and certain works to existing buildings.

Part L of the Building Regulations-Conservation of Fuel and Energy implemented the requirements for Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) for dwellings in 2019. NZEB means a building that has a very high energy performance. The nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby.

Part L of the Building Regulations provide that the nearly zero energy building performance requirements shall be met for new dwellings by achieving an overall energy and carbon emissions performance which is calculated using the Dwelling Energy Assessment Performance (DEAP) published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

The requirement for renewables can be achieved through a range of technologies. “Renewable energy technologies” means technology, products or equipment that supply energy derived from renewable energy sources, e.g. solar thermal systems, solar photovoltaic systems, biomass systems, systems using biofuels, heat pumps, aerogenerators and other small scale renewable systems.

Building regulations are performance based and technology neutral. It is a matter for the specifier/designer to specify the heating system to achieve compliance with Part L.

The recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires all new dwellings to deploy solar energy installations by 31st December 2029 where feasible. It is intended that this will be implemented through the building regulations.

The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings.