Developers will be required to install solar panels and low-carbon heating systems on almost every new home in England under sweeping new building rules as the Government moves to overhaul housing standards in response to energy security fears and rising global instability.
The changes form part of the long-awaited Future Homes Standard, which will require new properties to be built without gas boilers from 2028 and instead rely on heat pumps, heat networks and on-site renewable power.
Under the new requirements, most new homes will need solar panels covering an area equivalent to around 40% of the building’s ground floor footprint, marking one of the biggest shifts in construction standards in decades.
The move comes as ministers accelerate the push for home-grown energy following renewed conflict in the Middle East, with the Government arguing that reliance on fossil fuel markets has left UK households exposed to price shocks and geopolitical risk.
PLUG-IN SOLAR
Alongside the changes for new builds, ministers also want to make small “plug-in” solar panels available in UK shops within months, allowing homeowners and flat-dwellers to generate electricity from balconies or gardens without full installation.
The technology is already widely used in parts of Europe, particularly Germany, but has not previously been allowed in the UK because of electrical safety regulations, which are now under review.
The Government said the new rules will make homes cheaper to run and cut carbon emissions, while also helping the UK reduce dependence on imported energy as it tries to meet ambitious housebuilding targets of 1.5 million homes by the end of the decade.
ENERGY SECURITY
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says: “The Iran War has once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don’t control.
“Whether through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops, we are determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.”
Housing Secretary Steve Reed adds: “Building 1.5 million new homes also means building high-quality homes that are cheaper to run and warmer to live in.
“As we make the switch to clean, homegrown energy, today’s standard is what the future of housing can and should look like.
“Not only will these changes protect hardworking families from shocks abroad but will also slash hundreds of pounds off their energy bills every year.”
DELIVERY COST
Developers have raised concerns about the cost and practicality of the changes, with industry estimates suggesting the new requirements could add around £10,000 to the build cost of each property and create challenges on sites where roof space is limited.
The Home Builders Federation warned that the scale of solar required could prove difficult to deliver on many plots, potentially slowing delivery at a time when construction output remains below the level needed to meet Government targets.
Mortgage Soup reported yesterday how the new rules could push up property prices and borrowing needs as lenders and brokers brace for higher build costs feeding through into the mortgage market.
