Widespread Support for Rooftop Solar on New Buildings

MOST PEOPLE asked support for rooftop solar to be installed on all new homes and commercial buildings.

This is the finding of a recent poll by YouGov for CPRE, the countryside charity, showing 82% of respondents supported rooftop solar on new buildings.

Support for Rooftop Solar

The survey’s result comes at a crucial time. On Friday 17 January, MPs will hear the second reading of the Sunshine Bill. This is a Private Members Bill tabled by Max Wilkinson, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham. It calls for mandatory rooftop solar on new homes.

However, the bill cannot progress unless enough MPs vote to end the debate and move to a vote. This requires not just a majority, but also at least 100 MPs to be present.

In recent days, more than 5,000 CPRE supporters have contacted their MP to urge them to support the bill. More than 600 MPs have been contacted.

Investment in Rooftop Solar

Research by UCL in May 2023 revealed that there is enough unused roof space for 117GW of installed solar energy capacity, far outstripping the government’s own target to generate 70GW by 2030. Investment in rooftop solar would support green growth creating more than 100,000 new jobs in North West England alone, CPRE says.

CPRE has long advocated for rooftop solar as a key solution to deliver clean power by 2023, helping the country meet its international legal commitments to help combat climate change.

Common Sense

Roger Mortlock, CPRE Chief Executive, said: “Rooftop solar is a common-sense solution to our energy needs that helps make the best use of our finite supply of land. That’s why the Sunshine Bill is such an exciting opportunity to change how the UK generates energy.

“It’s unbelievable that it isn’t already a requirement for solar panels be fitted as standard on all new homes. The time for change has come. The government must set a target for generating at least 60% of the UK’s solar energy from rooftops and make it easier and cheaper to install panels on existing homes and commercial buildings.”

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