Trees and solar panels

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people taking the step of putting solar panels on their roofs. This is a very good development and is actively encouraged by the government.

Increasingly, the municipality is receiving requests to allow trees to be cut down, or drastically pruned, to reduce shade in order to enable the installation of panels. Lots of light is needed to get as much result from the solar panels as possible.

The Municipality of Kerkrade considers the purchase of solar panels important, but also values the town's trees. It has been decided that the desire to switch to panels or reduce shade should not be a reason to cut down healthy trees. For applications, the municipality will work with the applicant to see if there are other options and thus try to provide customization as much as possible. If no other solution is possible, the municipality will give priority to the green and tree structure established in the Green Structure Plan and the Tree Policy Plan.