Builders required to fit solar panels and low carbon heating from 2027
Builders will be required to fit solar panels on rooftops and install low-carbon heating for most new build homes in England under proposed changes to be published this year.
The Energy Department (Desnz) said on Friday that the future homes standard (FHS), which will be published in autumn, is expected to require new residential properties to have solar panels by default.
Gas boilers will also not meet the proposed standard, meaning low-carbon heating – such as heat pumps – will also likely become the new default under building regulations.
With a significant amount of the UK’s carbon footprint coming from gas heating of homes, the FHS will require new housing in England to produce fewer carbon emissions than those built under current regulations.
The Government said the measures will also help to slash household energy bills and boost the nation’s energy security.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Solar panels can save people hundreds of pounds off their energy bills, so it is just common sense for new homes to have them fitted as standard.
“So many people just don’t understand why this doesn’t already happen. With our plans, it will.”
Desnz calculates that a typical existing UK home could save around £530 a year from installing rooftop solar based on the current energy price cap.
Matthew Pennycook, housing and planning minister, said: “The future homes standard will ensure new homes are modern and efficient with low-carbon heating, while our common-sense planning changes will now make it easier and cheaper for people to use heat pumps and switch to EVs so they can play their part in bolstering our nation’s energy security.”
PBT currently work with a preferred partner to install Solar PV and are happy to discuss your home as an entity for installing renewable technologies. As well as heat pumps, we also install battery storage systems which can be used alongside Solar PV to store and use energy for your home.
