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House builders have criticised plans to impose lowest levels of solar panels on most new homes, warning that pressing regulations can be difficult to implement and that even building delays can be proven.
The government is discussing proposals for almost every new home built in the UK to be fitted with solar panels since 2027 to reduce energy bills and reduce emissions. The House Builder today fits around two of the five new builds with solar panels.
Authorities believe adding solar panels could add £3,300 to the cost of building a semi-detached or terraced home. They claim this will be recovered in just four years. This saves a typical three-bed home that saves over £1,000 a year on your energy bill.
However, builders have expressed concern about the proposal from the housing sector that most new homes should have solar panels that cover 40% of the footprint of the building.
The Federation of Home Builders (HBF) said it is “unrealistic” for the government to expect all new homes to be suitable for 40% coverage “with full efficiency and capacity.” That submission seen by the Financial Times said 20% would be a more realistic goal to set.
The HBF also warned that the government’s proposal could “delay the delivery of new construction homes” as businesses must seek “pre-approval” in advance if they want to provide less than 40%.
“Current language suggests that subsequent consent should be required for these properties that are not offered at 40%. In this scenario, developers will go into detail in plots on a plot basis with (electrical) network providers, local planning authorities and building management agencies.”
“This will be an unrealistic and unsustainable scenario that undermines government ambitions regarding housing provision and economic growth.”
Officials say there is still “legal case flexibility” in which it is appropriate to “not reduce or reduce or reduce solar panel coverage.”
The plan, along with industry association Solar Energy UK CEO Chris Hewett, has spurred the joy of the renewable energy industry and says that industry lobbying appears to have been rewarded.
“We are waiting for confirmation, but by ensuring that every new home will install solar panels soon, we can increase energy security, reduce bills and get closer to net zero,” he said.
However, HBF said it was concerned about the new language on the proposed requirements, saying, “a system for renewable power generation needs to be installed on the site.”
“We support the use of (solar panels) in principle, but due to the complexity of the roof landscape and the typical roof features such as waist, gables, barges, ridges and eaves, it is not necessarily at a 40% level.
“This level could be the coverage needed for homeowners to achieve cost neutrality, but it is unrealistic or impossible to achieve with certain types of homes and in line with national and local design requirements.”
Construction companies are trying to “age” construction workers and ensure that the industry has workers trained enough to install solar panels in their homes.
The Housing Authority said, “We listened to house builders along with many other views to develop practical yet ambitious proposals through future housing standards to maximize the installation of solar panels in new homes and ensure that all new homes are energy efficient.”
“We are constantly making it clear that we want solar panels in as many new homes as possible, as it is a critical technology that helps reduce family bills, increase national energy security and provide net zero.”
