Solar panels for new homes, that is most new homes, is the objective of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as he announces that builders will be required to fit solar panels to most newly built homes in England under changes to be published this autumn. There will, however, be a transitional period for developers to adjust to the regulation changes.
Under the proposed changes, new homes will also have low-carbon heating, such as heat pumps and high levels of energy efficiency, cutting people’s energy bills.
Speaking to the BBC, Miliband said the move was “just common sense” adding that solar panels would save the typical household £500 a year on their energy bills. This means the new proposals could significantly cut energy bills for the recipients of new build homes, tackling the cost of living for aspirational young families and new house buyers.
To deliver these aims, the proposed Future Homes Standard would see building regulations amended to explicitly promote solar for the first time, subject to practical limits with flexibility in place for new homes surrounded by trees or with lots of shade overhead.
The UK is legally committed to reaching its net zero target by 2050, which means the UK must cut carbon emissions until it removes as much as it produces, in line with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. In 2022, emissions from residential buildings made up 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.
Chris Hewett, from the trade body Solar Energy UK, said local authorities would have to be “vigilant” to ensure developers were meeting their obligations but added that it would be “quite easy to enforce”. He also said he did not expect many homes to be exempt, estimating that 90% of newly built homes would have to comply with the new rules.
Asked if the sector had the skills to keep up with demand, Mr Hewett said: “We are certainly aware that we need to train more people… that’s something we as an industry are working on.”
You can also reduce your electricity bills and source local renewable energy by joining Settle Local Energy Club, set-up by A.C.E’s energy group. Find out more here.