Solar panels have emerged as the most sought-after low-carbon feature among buyers of newly built homes according to new research commissioned by energy supplier E.ON UK.
A nationally representative survey of 2,500 UK adults found that 75% of people would rather buy a new-build home fitted with solar panels than one without, highlighting strong consumer demand for renewable energy technology in the housing market.
The research also found widespread support for policy intervention, with 68% of respondents backing a government requirement for solar panels on all newly built houses.
The findings come ahead of the government’s planned Future Homes Standard, which aims to ensure new homes are built to higher energy efficiency standards. Rooftop solar is widely expected to play a key role in helping developers meet the new requirements.
ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
Solar panels ranked significantly higher than other low-carbon technologies buyers would like to see included in new homes. Around 72% of respondents selected solar panels, compared with 41% for heat pumps, 41% for electric vehicle charging points, and 38% for battery storage systems.
The survey also suggests that energy technology is increasingly influencing purchasing decisions. Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said they would consider paying a higher purchase price for a newly built home if it resulted in lower energy bills over the long term.
Meanwhile, 80% said homes that allow them to generate and manage their own energy were appealing, while 85% said predictable or fixed electricity costs were an important factor when choosing a property.
Despite strong consumer expectations around energy efficiency, awareness of the Future Homes Standard remains relatively low. Just 13% of respondents said they had heard of the policy, although 87% agreed that government regulations should ensure new homes are designed to reduce household energy bills.
MAXIMISE SAVINGS
Chris Norbury (main picture, inset), CEO of E.ON UK, says: “It is clear people expect low-carbon technologies as standard in new-build houses.
“They are switched on to what smart home solutions can do for them, and our research shows they understand solar panels can help maximise savings by generating the energy needed to make the most of other assets such as batteries and heat pumps.
“The Future Homes Standard is a vital opportunity”
“The Future Homes Standard is a vital opportunity to ensure new houses aren’t just energy efficient on paper, but designed to help people take control of their energy use and lower their bills. This cannot be achieved without solar panels.
“By mandating solar panels in quantities that deliver sufficient generation for each property, the government has an opportunity to help people significantly cut their energy bills while reducing network pressure, increasing energy security and creating more green jobs.”
E.ON says a typical new-build home without additional energy features costs around £1,797 per year for power and heating, while adding solar panels and complementary technologies such as batteries, heat pumps and smart controls could potentially reduce annual bills to around £600.
