Solar panels could be mandatory for all new homes from 2025
An amendment to the government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill could call for solar panels to be mandatory for all homes built after April 2025. John Stevenson, the Conservative MP for Carlisle, claims the benefits for residents will be ‘substantial’.
The UK is committed to achieving a net zero economy by 2050, meaning a near-total decarbonisation of housing stock is necessary. A Solar Energy UK report states that deploying small-scale solar energy production in new build homes is fundamental to reaching that ambitious net zero target. Most buildings that will exist in 2050 are already established, but properties still awaiting construction – around 20% – will incorporate energy efficient measures, such as solar panels, which can save billpayers over £1,000 annually. New homes in Scotland already have to comply with this ruling.
Solar Energy UK goes on to say that properties with a roof-mounted solar panel system, storage facilities such as a solar battery and a smart meter would contribute significantly to the UK’s climate change target.
The UK constructs around 150,000 new homes every year, and with a guaranteed demand, the solar industry would mushroom, according to Stevenson, writing in Conservative Home. He goes on to say that currently most panels are imported, but the boost in growth would ensure the UK’s solar manufacturing becomes fully developed, creating employment and bringing the cost of panels down. With the sector incentivised, leading to solar panel innovations and improvements, increased electricity could be generated. This saves the homeowner and the UK money, helps achieve the net zero target, and lessens our reliance on imported energy.
According to Solar Energy UK’s report, a newly built detached property with solar thermal, solar PV panels and storage battery system could achieve lifetime savings of £202,000 to £242,000. Their case study in Scotland analysed the savings from a sub-optimal property with a smaller scale system facing away from the sun, and found that savings of £3,000-£4,000 annually could still be realised.
Under the government’s Future Homes Standard 2025, all new homes are required to produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than current regulations, ensuring they are future-proofed with “world-leading levels of energy efficiency”. As part of their commitment, the government has set a target of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028. According to the Solar Energy UK report, heat pumps used as a stand-alone measure will increase domestic electricity consumption; however, combining heat pumps with on-site energy generation, such as solar panels, reduces any financial impact significantly.
Construction firms and developers have previously been reluctant to back stringent energy efficiency measures on new residential properties, fearing that the higher construction costs could negatively impact the number of new properties built. However, claims Solar Energy UK, this is contradicted in Scotland. There, energy efficient new homes with solar panels installed are selling well, due to offering homeowners lower bills, energy security and reduced carbon emissions.
By installing solar panels at the point of construction, developers can save costs of around 10% on a retrofitted system, according to Solar Energy UK’s report. It also means the system can achieve greater levels of efficiency, as factors including orientation, airflow and insulation can be addressed during the design phase. The report claims that reduced disruption and quicker installations are additional positive considerations encouraging construction firms to back the new regulations.
Rising energy prices have caused many property owners to install solar panels, and demand for residential systems has skyrocketed. The energy consumption for new homes is predicted to increase by up to 200%, and the mandatory installation of solar panels will dramatically ease the burden on the National Grid.
