Guidelines Released for Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation Projects in Jiangmen’s Xinhui District, Guangdong

On May 13, the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of the Xinhui District in Jiangmen City issued a notice regarding the “Guidelines for the Construction of Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation Projects in Xinhui District.” The guidelines emphasize that the architectural appearance control requirements for the “Photovoltaic + Building” agricultural housing construction projects must comply with the Jiangmen City “Photovoltaic + Building” Architectural Appearance Control Guidelines and Atlas (First Edition).

The main points include:

1. Zoning Control Standards:
   • Prohibited Construction Areas: The site selection for “Photovoltaic + Building” projects must align with land spatial planning, and the buildings involved must meet legal compliance. Roofs of the following types of buildings must not install photovoltaic components:
     • Buildings classified as Grade C or D that are deemed unsafe, as well as old buildings with safety hazards;
     • Buildings classified as Class A or B in terms of fire hazard;
     • Buildings located in areas with significant dust and corrosive gases;
     • Buildings listed for demolition;
     • Heritage buildings;
     • Historical buildings and watchtowers;
     • Buildings within scenic areas, historical and cultural protection zones, traditional villages, world heritage sites, and other areas where installation could negatively impact the overall appearance;
     • Other buildings deemed unsuitable for photovoltaic installation.
   • Architectural Appearance Control Areas: Construction of “Photovoltaic + Building” projects must adhere to classification control principles, determining appearance control requirements based on project location. Projects in key areas such as urban entryways, main streets, commercial centers, green corridors, parks, and historical cultural towns must closely integrate with the surrounding architectural aesthetics, complying with established guidelines.
   • Permissible Construction Areas: Any areas not classified as prohibited or appearance control areas.
2. General Construction Specifications:
   • For buildings with sloped roofs, photovoltaic components should be installed in accordance with the slope and must not exceed the highest point of the roof. The vertical height of the component array must not exceed 30 centimeters from the roof surface.
   • For flat-roofed buildings, the highest point of the installed photovoltaic components must not exceed 2.8 meters from the surface. In residential projects with stairwells, if components are installed on the stairwell roof, the highest point must not exceed 1 meter above that roof (and must not exceed 4 meters above the main roof). The photovoltaic system must be designed in layers without enclosing usable building space.
   • The coverage area of photovoltaic components must not extend beyond the building’s main structure outline. For urban buildings facing streets, the photovoltaic coverage must be at least 1 meter away from the building’s main structure outline on the street side. Additionally, when installing photovoltaic systems on flat roofs, proper barriers using architectural features must be utilized to ensure no negative impact on the building’s facade and to prevent falling debris.

The original notice states:

In order to promote the application of distributed photovoltaic power generation in our district, standardize the planning, construction, and management of distributed photovoltaic projects, and ensure the harmonious development of the photovoltaic industry with urban and rural architectural aesthetics, the guidelines have been established based on current regulations and guidelines.

All relevant government bodies are encouraged to implement these guidelines diligently.

Issued by: Jiangmen City Xinhui District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau

Date: May 12, 2025