There are a range of different renewables and low carbon options, such as, solar panels, solar thermal panels and heat pumps that may be applied to traditional buildings.

Installation of renewables or low carbon options should be considered after ensuring the building is performing efficiently. As output from renewables can fluctuate there is often still a requirement for electricity input. If the building is under performing, an increased amount of energy will be required, whereas if less energy is needed, there will be less demand on the renewables and the need for low carbon options to be heavily balanced with electricity will be reduced.

Historic England have set out a number of considerations when assessing options for low and zero carbon energy sources:

1. Does it suit the particular building and use?
2. What are the carbon reduction benefits?
3. Will the potential savings exceed the whole-life energy costs?
4. Can the system be fitted safely with no significant adverse impact on the building and its historic fabric?
5. What will be the visual impact on the  building/heritage asset and its setting?
6. Are there any planning controlsthat affect your choice and positioning of the installation?

 

Renewable	Planning Considerations	Risk	Further Considerations
Active Solar Technology, Solar Panels or Solar Thermal either building mounted or domestic stand alone​	Active Solar Technology, Solar Panels or Solar Thermal either building mounted or domestic stand aloneListed Buildings: Requires LBC Conservation Area or Non-designation Heritage Asset: Can be permitted development. Check with the Local Planning Authority. Buildings with no designations: Often permitted development.	MEDIUM/HIGH RISK	Subject to scale, design, and fixings. Location should be carefully considered and positioned sympathetically.
Ground Source Heat Pumps	Listed Buildings: Within the setting of a listed building, likely to require planning permission. Servicing likely to require LBC. Conservation Area or Non-designation Heritage Asset: Likely to require planning permission Buildings with no designations: Often permitted development. Check with the Local Planning Authority.	MEDIUM RISK	Location should be carefully considered and positioned sympathetically.
Air Source Heat Pumps	Listed Buildings: Within the setting of a listed building, likely to require planning permission. Servicing likely to require LBC. Conservation Area or Non-designation Heritage Asset: Subject to location, may be permitted development Buildings with no designations: Often permitted development provided ALL the limits and conditions are met.	MEDIUM RISK	Location should be carefully considered and positioned sympathetically.
Wind – Building mounted	Listed Buildings: Requires LBC Conservation Area or Non-designation Heritage Asset: Likely to require planning permission. Buildings with no designations: Often permitted development provided ALL the limits and conditions are met.	HIGH RISK	Minimal gains and risk to buildings
Wind – Stand alone	Listed Buildings: Within the setting of a listed building, likely to require planning permission Conservation Area or Non-designation Heritage Asset: Likely to require planning permission. Buildings with no designations: Often permitted development provided ALL the limits and conditions are met.	LOW RISK	Very limited gains with domestic scale turbines. Likely to be limited to most due to the land needed for turbines of sufficient scale.
Biomass	Listed Buildings: May need LBC subject to servicing Conservation Area or Non-designation Heritage Asset: Often permitted development Check with the Local Planning Authority. Buildings with no designations: Often permitted development Check with the Local Planning Authority.
Electric charging points	Listed Buildings: Within the setting of a listed building, likely to require planning permission. Any fabric intervention, including fixing to the building, LBC is required. Conservation Area or Non-designation Heritage Asset: Often permitted development Check with the Local Planning Authority. Buildings with no designations: Often permitted development Check with the Local Planning Authority.	MEDIUM RISK	Subject to location and design, particularly if the provision of off-street parking is required

Key Documents and Links

Historic England, Low and Zero Carbon Technologies

Historic Environment Scotland, Short Guide 8: Micro-Renewables in the Historic Environment

Historic Environment Scotland, Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Micro-renewables

CAT, Energy options

Energy Saving Trust, Generating renewable electricity

Energy Saving Trust, Low carbon heating options

Energy Saving Trust, Heating & Hot Water

Microgeneration Certification Scheme is a nationally recognised quality assurance scheme, supported by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. MCS certifies microgeneration technologies used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources.