Owners of public buildings and businesses will soon be able to generate energy using technologies such as solar panels without requiring planning permission.

The Scottish Government has already reduced the planning burden for homeowners wishing to install certain technologies. But planning permission is still required to install similar equipment on non-domestic buildings.

Following a consultation last year, the Scottish Government has now laid a Parliamentary Order that will pave the way for various technologies to be installed on non-domestic buildings from March 18, including:

* Solar thermal panels;

* Solar photo voltaic panels;

* Pipework for ground source heat pumps;

* Pipework for water source heat pumps;

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* Biomass boilers

Infrastructure Minister Keith Brown said: "These changes will help cut red tape in the planning system and enable savings on energy bills. More use of microgeneration technologies such as solar panels can help Scots reduce their emissions and boost the development of a low carbon economy, which is key to Scotland's future success as a nation, creating new jobs in an emerging industry.

"While we cannot have renewable energy equipment anywhere or at any cost, these measures strike the right balance between allowing small scale renewables and safeguarding the quality of our environment. They have been introduced following thorough consultation and complement the work we have already undertaken to make it easier for householders to install similar technologies.

"It will also contribute to our efforts to ensure that Scotland's planning system is an aid rather than a barrier to increasing sustainable economic growth."

Roof and wall space on large buildings is ideal for solar or photovoltaic panels to generate heat and electricity for use on site - or where there is a surplus - by export to the grid or other users respectively.

Heat pumps also provide an extremely energy-efficient way of converting the heat in the ground for space and hot water heating.

The legislation is intended to incentivise the use of on-site renewable energy technologies and contribute to the achievement of the Scottish Government's renewable heat and electricity targets.

(GK)