Rooftop Solar Reportedly About to be Made Compulsory on New Builds

REPORTS THAT the Future Homes Standard will mandate rooftop solar on all new build homes from 2027 have been welcomed by the industry.

The Times newspaper says it has seen documents not yet published that include making rooftop solar on all new houses built, with few exceptions.

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of trade association Solar Energy UK said: “I am hugely pleased to hear that our lobbying on the Future Homes Standard, alongside partners such as MCS and the MCS Charitable Foundation, appears to have paid off.

“Although we await confirmation, ensuring that every new home will have solar panels fitted soon will boost energy security, cut bills and put us closer to reaching net zero. At least two fifths of new homes already have solar systems fitted.”

Rooftop Solar on New Builds

Over the final quarter of last year, the latest for which data is available, around 42% of new homes had solar panels fitted, according to an analysis published in March. The proportion now is expected to be greater.

Housebuilders are said to have lobbied against the change to make rooftop solar compulsory.

Housing developers are said to have preferred to make solar panels optional because they are not suitable for all new roofs, due to unsuitable pitch, orientation or overshading.

Rooftop solar is estimated to add about £3,300 to the cost of building a terraced or semi-detached house and around £4,000 for a detached property.

Payback for homeowners is estimated at four years, with an average three-bedroom semi-detached saving more than £1,000 a year on energy bills.

The announcement was also welcomed by CPRE, who have lobbied against solar farms being sited in the countryside.

Chief Executive Roger Mortlock said: “This is positive step and shows that taking climate action doesn’t have to come at the expense of a thriving countryside.

“CPRE has long campaigned for rooftop solar panels to be made compulsory on all new-build homes. The UK’s millions of roofs have the potential to generate huge amounts of cheap and sustainable energy, slash people’s bills and ensure we make the best use of our finite supply of land.

“Net zero is non-negotiable, with solar power a key part of our energy mix. We urge the government to set a target for generating at least 60% of the UK’s solar energy from rooftops.

“We’ve wasted the potential of our rooftops for too long, we still want to see rooftop solar rolled out across warehouses, car parks, and existing homes. At the same time, mega solar risks being allowed to damage natural landscapes and productive farmland. Today’s announcement helps restore the right balance.”

A government announcement of loans and grants to install solar on existing homes are also expected.

New rules on renewables as a broader category are anticipated to be incorporated into the upcoming revision of Building Regulations.

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