New build solar panels are proposed to be a standard feature in the future
On Friday, the government confirmed that solar panels will be included in the Future Homes Standard update coming this Autumn.
This will drive down costs for homeowners as well as drive up Britain’s sustainable energy.
Other changes are being proposed for the Future Homes Standard
While solar panels save homeowners an average of £530 per year, other measures are being proposed which could see more sustainable technologies being taken up in home construction.
This includes low-carbon heating systems, including heat pumps, and more energy-efficient technologies and electronics.
In line with these proposals, it is likely the FHS will change building regulations to promote solar and consider homes that lie in shade or have a large amount of tree cover.
Further to updated legislation last week, homeowners are now able to install heat pumps within one metre of their property boundary without needing a planning application.
The Future Homes Standard will give households up to £7,500 for heat pumps.
“A monumental step in unleashing this rooftop revolution”
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.
“Today marks a monumental step in unleashing this rooftop revolution as part of our Plan for Change, and means new homeowners will get lower bills with clean home-grown power.”
Housing and planning minister, Matthew Pennycook, said: “As part of the government’s Plan for Change to build 1.5 million homes, we are maximising the use of renewable energy to cut people’s bills and power their homes.
“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.
Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK, said: “The solar industry is very glad to hear that almost all new homes will be fitted with solar power from under the Future Homes Standard. Making solar panels a functional requirement of the Building Regulations will cut energy bills, lower carbon emissions, help drive polluting natural gas off the grid and improve our nation’s energy security, too.”
Aadil Qureshi, co-founder and CEO of Heat Geek, said: “Installing a heat pump, particularly alongside solar panels is an amazing way for homeowners to save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills and create a more comfortable home. The simplification of planning rules will help millions of homeowners, particularly in normal family homes in towns and cities, take advantage of this technology.”
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