Map to show how many homes can have solar panels

The government said the aim was to have the published map available by the end of the year

Officials are working on a map allowing islanders to see if their property is suitable for solar panels, a public hearing has heard.

Infrastructure and Environment said it was working with Jersey Electricity to determine where people could generate their own power.

Ralph Buchholz, head of corporate property strategy at the Government of Jersey, said 3D modelling allowed them them to look "at all roofs across the island to determine which buildings would be suitable for having PV [photovoltaic] on them".

The government said it hoped the map would be available by the end of the year.

The government said listed buildings would not be included in the map because it was unlikely they would get planning permission for the panels.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said he wanted solar panels on "as many government facilities" as possible.

He said they were "are close to a reaching a final agreement" with JE to have all government properties including car parks fitted with solar panels.

"We want public buildings to be as energy efficient as possible with the resources we have," he said.

"The challenge for us is the cost in replacing some of the current equipment with more energy efficient equipment - it's about using that money as wisely as you can."