NEW laws may be needed to protect Victorian homes fitted with solar panels from being overshadowed by multi-storey developments. A tribunal has warned of increasing fights between developers and people with solar panels installed on their roofs. It has called on the State Government to introduce clearer guidelines for determining what is an acceptable level of solar panel over-shadowing. But the Government faces a dilemma because its planning policies encourage higher density urban living, especially near transport hubs. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal quashed a proposal for two double-storey dwellings in a Kensington street this week. VCAT member Mary-Anne Taranto said existing guidance on solar panels was limited and resulted in decisions made on an ad-hoc basis. "It would appear timely for there to be consistent and clear guidance on a statewide basis to create greater certainty about what might be regarded as acceptable impacts," Ms Taranto said. "This would be of great benefit to affected landowners, proponents of new developments and decision-makers." Victorian Planning Provisions decree that buildings should be sited and designed to ensure the energy efficiency of existing dwellings on adjoining lots is not unreasonably reduced. The Kensington development would have partially overshadowed solar panels on the roof of an adjoining home between 9am and until after midday at the equinox, according to the judgment. Resident Steve Martinuzzo tabled a letter from a solar and sustainability consultant arguing the panels were designed to produce most energy from morning light, and if the top row of panels was in full sun but the lower rows were not neither would produce any power. The loss of solar power was estimated at 50 to 70 per cent. If the figures were correct, the degree of loss was unreasonable, Ms Taranto said. The Clean Energy Council had lauded the decision as a significant one, saying growing numbers of people were complaining their solar panels would be rendered useless by development. Clean Energy Council policy manager Darren Gladman said the decision was a good indication developers needed to make sure their projects did not overshadow solar panels on neighbouring homes. State government spokesperson Rachel Obradovic said the Government would be happy to work with local governments and the energy sector to see if greater planning policy clarity was required
