This note, GEN 8, originally published in February 1996, was reviewed by Adrian Bradbrook in February 2001. The information herein is considered contemporary and relevant.
The law has an important role to play in relation to the incorporation of active and passive solar technologies in building design. The extent to which the law recognises and protects the right of solar access to solar collector panels will determine in a large measure the extent to which people are prepared to outlay capital investments for solar devices. In addition, the existence of legal barriers to the use of solar energy will adversely affect investment choices. This paper explains the current state of the law relating to solar energy, both as to the right of solar access, in particular solar access to solar collector panels, and the legal barriers to the use of solar energy.