Installation, Maintenance and Repair of Renewable Energy Technologies
On-site renewable energy systems for buildings including solar PV, solar thermal, heat pumps, and small-scale wind.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation
This is an enabling activity. The installation, maintenance, and repair of renewable energy technologies on-site in buildings covers the following systems:
Solar photovoltaic (PV): Rooftop and building-integrated PV systems that generate clean electricity on-site. Systems must comply with applicable grid connection standards and building structural requirements.
Solar thermal: Solar collectors for domestic hot water and space heating, including evacuated tube and flat plate collectors. Systems must be certified to Solar Keymark or equivalent standards.
Heat pumps: Air-source, ground-source, and water-source heat pumps meeting the energy efficiency requirements set out in the EU Ecodesign Regulation. Heat pumps must achieve a Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) that place them among the top-performing products on the market.
Biomass boilers: Where technically justified, biomass heating systems meeting the emission limits set in the EU Ecodesign Regulation for solid fuel boilers, using sustainably sourced biomass certified under applicable EU sustainability criteria.
Small-scale wind: Building-mounted or adjacent small wind turbines where local planning and noise regulations permit.
DNSH: Climate Change Adaptation
Renewable energy installations must be designed to withstand physical climate hazards over their operational lifetime, including wind loading under increased storm intensity, hail resistance for PV panels, and thermal performance under extreme heat conditions.
DNSH: Water and Marine Resources
Ground-source heat pump installations must not contaminate groundwater. Drilling and ground works must comply with local aquifer protection requirements.
DNSH: Circular Economy
Equipment must be designed for durability and end-of-life recyclability. PV panels must be recyclable under the WEEE Directive. Heat pump refrigerants must be recoverable at end of life.
DNSH: Pollution Prevention and Control
Heat pump refrigerants must have a GWP below 675. Biomass boilers must meet particulate matter, NOx, and CO emission limits under the Ecodesign Regulation.
DNSH: Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Installations must not adversely affect protected habitats or species. For ground-source heat pump installations and building-adjacent wind turbines, environmental impact assessments must be conducted where required by applicable EU or national legislation.