Will All New Houses Need To Be Fitted With Solar Panels?

From the year 2027 onwards, all new homes will need to be fitted with solar panels, although the consequences of the new scheme will spread far beyond housing developments.

The proposals, first announced by CPRE and reported in multiple national newspapers, will require property developers to fit solar panels on the roofs of new properties.

It has been described as a somewhat radical reversal following the rejection of the so-called Sunshine Bill on affordability and workforce grounds.

However, the benefits of solar power and the popularity of panel installations could not be ignored, particularly since the additional cost of installation could be offset in less than five years due to significant savings to energy bills, leading to their reintroduction into the Future Homes Standard.

Whilst most of the early coverage has focused on this major change and the successful campaigning by campaigners and charities, one aspect that has been missed is the potential this has to benefit existing homeowners who want to install solar panels.

Much like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the proposed Warm Homes Plan, grants and government-supported loans have been proposed to ensure that everyone can install solar panels on their existing homes if they want to.

More demand for solar panels means lower costs, something that has already been seen with heat pumps, and with more expert installers available in North London to fit more efficient solar panels than ever before, the proposal has the potential to benefit everyone who has considered solar.

What has been found is that there is a desire for greener, cleaner, cheaper energy, but the initial upfront cost of solar panels has been the primary drag point that has slowed customer demand.

With policies such as these, more people can benefit from lower bills and more sustainably heated homes without having to wait for an indeterminate and uncertain future.