Ireland Building Regulations Part L Commercial NZEB Solar PV Guide

Key Takeaways

• New non-dwellings from 1 January 2019 must meet Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards.
• NZEB compliance requires a very significant extent of energy from on-site or nearby renewable sources.
• Major renovations (more than 25% of the building envelope) must upgrade energy performance.
• New multi-unit buildings require ducting infrastructure for EV charging for each parking space.

Understanding Ireland's Building Regulations Part L for Commercial Buildings

Ireland's Building Regulations Part L sets out the requirements for the conservation of fuel and energy in buildings. For non-dwellings, these regulations aim to improve energy performance and reduce carbon emissions. The primary statutory instruments governing these requirements are S.I. No. 538 of 2017, known as the Building Regulations (Part L Amendment) Regulations 2017, and S.I. No. 535 of 2022, the Building Regulations (Part L Amendment) Regulations 2022.

These regulations ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to limit energy consumption and associated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This includes mandates for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) and provisions for on-site renewable energy generation.

Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Standards for New Non-Dwellings

New non-dwellings in Ireland are subject to Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards. S.I. No. 538 of 2017 states that these regulations came into operation on 1 January 2019.

Requirement L5(a) mandates that the energy performance of a new non-dwelling must limit its calculated primary energy consumption and related CO2 emissions to that of a nearly zero energy building. This calculation is performed using the Non-domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP) published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The NEAP methodology is administered through SEAI SBEM calculation tools. Technical Guidance Document L (Buildings other than Dwellings) provides the Maximum Permitted Energy Performance Coefficient (MPEPC) benchmarks for compliance.

Furthermore, Requirement L5(b) specifies that the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required must be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources. This includes energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby. This provision directly encourages the integration of solar PV systems and other renewable technologies in commercial developments.

Energy Performance Upgrades for Major Renovations

Part L also addresses existing non-dwellings undergoing significant work. Article 11(5) of S.I. No. 538 of 2017 states that Part L applies to major renovations in respect of buildings other than dwellings.

A "major renovation" is defined as the renovation of a building where more than 25% of the surface of the building envelope undergoes renovation. For such projects, Requirement L4(h) stipulates that the minimum energy performance requirement of the building, or the renovated part thereof, must be upgraded. This upgrade aims to meet the cost optimal level of energy performance, provided it is technically, functionally, and economically feasible.

The regulations also clarify that "substantial work has been completed" means that the structure of the external walls of the building has been erected.

Electric Vehicle Recharging Infrastructure

S.I. No. 535 of 2022, the Building Regulations (Part L Amendment) Regulations 2022, introduced specific requirements for electric vehicle (EV) recharging infrastructure.

Requirement L2A mandates that new multi-unit buildings shall have installed ducting infrastructure (consisting of conduits for electrical cables) for each car parking space. This applies where the parking space is located inside the building concerned, or is within the curtilage of the building concerned. The purpose is to enable the subsequent installation of recharging points for electric vehicles.

General Conservation and Exemptions

The overarching principle of Part L is outlined in Requirement L1, which states that a building must be designed and constructed to ensure its energy performance limits the amount of energy required for operation and the associated CO2 emissions, insofar as is reasonably practicable.

Certain exemptions apply. Part L of the Second Schedule to these Regulations does not apply to works (including extensions) to an existing building which is a protected structure or a proposed protected structure within the meaning of the Planning and Development Act 2000.