With high electricity prices and a 30-year-old cabin where the roof needed a renovation, the cabin owner found out this winter that he wanted to install photovoltaic systems on parts of the cabin on Hafjelltoppen in Øyer municipality. It should prove to be problematic. APPROVED: This is what most of the cabin roofs in the cabin field in Hafjell look like. Peat roofs and slate are the only roof decks approved in the area around Hafjelltoppen where Ravlo has a cabin. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news – Do not apply With today’s electricity prices, Ravlo will save 10,000 kroner a year, he believes. In addition, he will contribute to the green shift that the Storting wants to accelerate, including with as much solar cell production as possible. He has also entered into an agreement with the local electricity company that buys the electricity he does not use himself. Ravlo thought he was on safe ground when he wanted to cover 12 percent of the roof with solar cells. The solar cells faced the forest and were not visible from a public road. IN ORDER: A total of 20 square meters of the cottage roof is now glistening in solar cells. The rest will be covered with peat, is Ravlo’s plan. Photo: Knut Røsrud / news In large parts of Øyer municipality, it is allowed to install solar panels on the cabin roof, without applying. He still contacted the municipality for safety. It turned out that it was not so good. The municipality believed that if he was to build a solar panel, he would have to apply for a dispensation. In the current zoning plan from 2014, only turf roofs or slate are allowed. Believes it is a great paradox Ravlo applied for permission to install solar cells. When he had not heard anything in twelve weeks, he began the work. But recently the municipality came on inspection. – I received a package because it was contrary to the zoning plan because there was no turf roof. STUSSER: Ravlo thinks it is an extra big paradox that if he had started this autumn, he would not have had to apply. The municipality is now sending out a new municipal sub-plan for consultation where solar cell systems are accepted – without an application. In cottage areas nearby, this is already legal. Photo: Knut Røsrud / news He thinks Øyer municipality has been less flexible. – I think it is strange that the municipality interprets the rules against something they really are for. It amazes me, he says. Hope the case is resolved The deputy mayor of Øyer, Nisveta Tiro (SV), apologizes and thinks it is a pity that Ravlo has experienced the municipality as difficult. But she denies that the municipality has tried to train the case, and that they must comply with the rules that apply. – It was instructed already in March to apply for a dispensation. Had it been done, everything would have gone much faster and easier. SORRY: Deputy Mayor Nisveta Tiro and Øyer Municipality are positive about solar cells. – We take this into account in recent zoning plans and future municipal sub-plans, she says. Photo: Knut Røsrud / news Ravlo thinks it is completely wrong that he should pay 11,500 kroner for dispensation when he thinks that he did not need to apply at all. – It goes beyond the profitability of the entire project. The deputy mayor hopes that the case will now be resolved. She emphasizes that the municipality is positive about solar cells as an energy source. – This is something we have taken into account in recent zoning plans and will include in the upcoming municipal sub-plan. Says yes to solar cells Chairman of the Norwegian Cabin Association Trond Hagen has not had a case on the table about conflict between municipality and cottage owner since 2017. – It probably indicates that the municipalities are fine, he says. His advice is to apply for a dispensation if you cannot freely set up a photovoltaic system. If you do not do so, the municipality may rightly demand that the facility be taken down again. GOOD: Chairman of the board of the Norwegian Cabin Association, Trond Hagen, has not heard of a conflict between Photo: NORWEGIAN CABIN ASSOCIATION Political adviser in the Ministry of Local Government and District, Ingrid Nikoline Sand (Sp), says that future-oriented area and community planning is crucial to handle climate change. – The municipalities have a central role in this work, among other things by establishing zoning plans for future developments. But she plays the ball over to the municipalities about what they choose. – For many municipalities, it is important to be able to take care of, and further develop, the traditional building practice on site. Green roofs with vegetation can have their advantages in a climate perspective, and the use of solar cells has other advantages. Growing interest in photovoltaic systems news has been in contact with other municipalities about how they handle this. Several of the country’s largest cottage areas are noticing increasing interest in installing photovoltaic systems. Hope to find a solution John Arno Ravlo thinks it is positive that the deputy mayor of Øyer wants a solution. – It sounds like we have agreed to put solar cells in place on the roof of the cabin here. And Ravlo will finally get electricity from solar cells at the cabin. Now the municipality will quickly process his application. If not, Ravlo has a plan. – In the worst case, we will have to cover the facility with a tarpaulin until the new municipal sub-plan is adopted. But both he and the deputy mayor hope it will work out before it goes that far. AGREE: John Ravlo and the deputy mayor of Øyer, Nisveta Tiro, agree that there will be a focus on photovoltaic systems in the municipality. Photo: Knut Røsrud / news
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John did as the politicians wanted, but got no anyway
