Mandate Confirmed: All New-Build Homes Must Now Include Solar Installations

The UK Government is set to introduce a new mandate requiring almost all new homes to feature rooftop solar panels, with formal proposals expected this autumn. This change will be implemented through amendments to the Future Homes Standard, scheduled for rollout in 2027. The plan aims to make solar panels a near-universal fixture on new-build properties across Britain.

According to insiders familiar with the upcoming regulations, the revised Standard could require solar installations on up to 99% of new houses. Specifically, developers will be obligated to install solar panels covering at least 40% of the building’s floor area. In cases where such coverage isn’t feasible, say, due to shading from trees or other obstacles, builders will still be expected to include a “reasonable” amount of solar capacity. Flexibility measures will account for these practical limitations.

These proposals will be published for consultation in the autumn, followed by a phased introduction to allow developers adequate time to adapt and comply.

It’s worth noting that the Future Homes Standard already enforces stricter energy efficiency requirements and mandates low-carbon heating solutions; these aspects will remain intact despite the new solar panel rules.

Labour Ministers have expressed concerns that the 2023 version of the Future Homes Standard, agreed upon by the prior Conservative Government, contained too many loopholes exempting rooftop solar installations. They have since accelerated the decarbonisation timeline for the UK’s electricity grid, moving the target forward by five years to 2030. This push aligns with ongoing efforts to ease the energy cost burden on families amid the persistent cost-of-living crisis.

From a financial perspective, the Government estimates that typical existing UK homes could save roughly £530 annually by installing rooftop solar panels, based on current energy price caps. Meanwhile, the Local Government Association projects slightly lower savings for new builds, at around £440 per year. These figures highlight the dual benefits of the policy, which cut carbon emissions while helping households reduce their energy bills.

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.”

The Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes during this parliamentary term. According to Good Energy, equipping these homes with rooftop solar panels could generate enough surplus electricity to power an additional 1.17 million homes by feeding excess energy back into the grid.

Good Energy’s estimate assumes each home installs a 4 kW solar array. With such a system, a household could save approximately £313 annually on energy bills, based on the latest price cap rates. Moreover, the energy exported to the grid could earn an additional £315 per year, calculated at the current export tariff of 15p per kilowatt-hour. This creates a compelling financial incentive in addition to the environmental benefits.