Solar power is key to achieving 100% renewable energy in Yarra by 2035. Properties in heritage overlays are encouraged to install solar.
We want Yarra to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2035.
The installation and use of solar power is one way we'll achieve this ambition and is encouraged for all households, including those in a heritage overlay.
For properties located in a heritage overlay, you will need a planning permit to install solar panels if the panels will be visible from the street (other than a lane) or public park.
You can apply for a planning permit through the VicSmart application process. There is no application fee.
The Heritage Overlay and Solar Panels factsheet provides guidance on preparing your application.
Once your application is approved and you have a planning permit for solar panels, you can proceed with installation.
It is important to receive your planning permit approval before accepting your preferred solar quote.
Check if your property is included in a heritage overlay by creating a free property report. The report will identify the zones and overlays that apply.
More information can be found on heritage overlays and grading.
You need to include:
- a copy of your Certificate of Title with 'search statement' and 'title plan' less than three months old from Victorian Land Registry Services
- proposed site plan (see below)
- proposed elevation plans (see below)
- photos of your existing dwelling marked-up to show where the solar panels will be located (see below)
- details of all materials, colours, finishes and other specifications (see below)
- a demolition plan if required.
You can also read our Heritage Overlay and Solar Panels factsheet [ PDF, 787.79 KB] for guidance and more information.
You can contact our statutory planning team on 03 9205 5373 for assistance.
You can also contact our sustainability team on 03 9205 5555 or by emailing info@yarracity.vic.gov.au.
The site plan shows where you want to install solar panels on your property. You should be able to draw this without the assistance from a professional.
The site plan helps us understand what impact your solar panels may have on your neighbours and the surrounding area.
Your plan must show the full site and include:
- the northern point of the site
- the shape and size of your property (ie. length and width) and cross-reference your measurements with your Certificate of Title
- proposed location of solar panels and building they will be installed on
- dimensions of the solar panels and distance from title boundaries
- whether the solar panels will be flush to the roof or at an angle
- context of your property's impact on neighbours (example: show what is within 3 m of your property boundaries)
- consistent scales of measurements.
Example site plan
You should be able to draw a site plan yourself without the assistance from a professional. (Click on the image below to expand it.)
This is a drawing that shows how your dwelling will look with solar panels installed.
You are likely to have more than one elevation for your dwelling:
- 'proposed streetscape elevation' shows the front elevation and how the solar panels appear from the street
- 'side elevation' shows how the solar panels appear from the sides or from your neighbour's perspective
- 'rear elevation' shows how your solar panels appear from the back of your property
The proposed elevation must include:
- the orientation of the elevation (for example 'north elevation')
- elevations for each angle the solar panels will be visible from (for example 'south elevation')
- the location and dimensions of the solar panels
- the distance of the solar panels above the natural ground level
- whether the solar panels will be flush to the roof or at an angle
- all title boundaries shown accurately with consistent scales of measurement
Your solar panel supplier should be able to assist you with how high on the roof the panels have to be installed, and their dimensions.
Example north elevation view
Your solar panel supplier should be able to assist you with how high on the roof the panels have to be installed, and their dimensions. (Click on the image below to expand it.)
Photographs help show the existing conditions of your property and give some context for the surrounding area.
Your photographs must:
- be current, accurate, clear, well-lit and in jpeg format
- explain what it is you are trying to show with mark-ups or annotations of where the solar panels will be
- include a view from the street with written annotations for relevant conditions (for example 'galvanised metal roof')
- include oblique or angled views of the roof where you can see the front and the side of the property in one photograph
- show all parts of your property especially if the area is not visible from the street
- avoid showing cars, animals or people for scale.
Providing details on the colours, materials, finishes and other specifications of your solar panels helps us understand how your panels will appear in the streetscape.
You can ask your solar panel supplier to give you these details. Please include dimensions and measurements of your solar panels wherever possible.
You can provide this information in either of the following ways:
- on your proposed elevation plans in the form of annotations. For example: 'black and shiny solar panels flush to the roof'.
- on a separate sheet named 'Materials Schedule'.
- a photograph of another property as an example of what you want (please label them to avoid confusion with photographs of your property).
- material samples, supplier product brochures, or your solar panel quote, showing the types of panels and how they will be installed.
We do not accept:
- posted or hand delivered documents or samples
- black and white documents
- photographs with no explanation of what the photo is showing
- documents with no dimensions or measurements.
The following images show examples of best-practice solar installation.
- on a section of roof concealed by a chimney, roof, parapet or fence
- at the rear of your dwelling or behind a roof parapet
- on a concealed part of the roof such as a plane or internal valley
- on an outbuilding such as a garage, carport, pergola or shed
- split solar systems with the solar panels and water tank on a roof that is not the main roof
- installing your solar panels in full view of the street
- increasing the visibility of your panels from the street by installing them on frames at odd angles with the roof or covering the entire roof. Learn more about angles below.
- installing more panels than your household needs
- only considering one installation position with no alternatives
When it is not possible to conceal solar panels from street view, ask your solar retailer to provide a brief explanation of alternative options and why this is the preferred option for your property. (Click on the image below to expand it.)
Solar panels do not have to face north to achieve maximum benefits. They can sit at a variety of angles and directions and still achieve high levels of solar energy generation.
The table below shows the efficiency of solar panels at several different angles and orientations.
Orientation | Panel angle from horizontal | ||||||
0° | 10° | 20° | 30° | 40° | 50° | 60° | |
North | 86% | 93% | 98% | 100% | 100% | 98% | 93% |
Northeast | 86% | 90% | 92% | 93% | 92% | 89% | 85% |
East | 86% | 85% | 84% | 82% | 78% | 74% | 70% |
Southeast | 86% | 81% | 74% | 67% | 59% | 53% | 47% |
South | 86% | 80% | 71% | 62% | 54% | 46% | 39% |
Southwest | 86% | 81% | 75% | 68% | 62% | 55% | 50% |
West | 86% | 87% | 87% | 85% | 82% | 78% | 74% |
Northwest | 86% | 92% | 95% | 97% | 97% | 95% | 90% |
- Install Rooftop Solar page
- Heritage Overlay and Solar Panels factsheet [ PDF, 787.79 KB]
- Webinar on sustainable renovations in heritage areas (Video on YouTube)
- Call our statutory planning team on 9205 5373 for assistance
- Call our sustainability team on 9205 5555 or email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au.