Under new planning rules in England, developers will be expected to fit solar panels and heat pumps in all newly built homes.
The government also revealed plans to introduce small, plug-in solar units that homeowners could install themselves, including on balconies, with availability in supermarkets expected soon.
These compact solar systems are already widely used in parts of Europe, but they have not yet been sold in the UK due to existing safety standards. Announcing the wider package of measures aimed at boosting solar energy, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said recent global tensions, including the Iran conflict, had underlined the importance of energy independence through clean power.
The proposals form part of the long-awaited Future Homes Standard, which aims to modernise how homes in England are built. From 2028, new properties will no longer connect to the gas grid. Instead, they will rely on heat pumps or heat networks and must include rooftop solar panels covering roughly 40% of the home’s ground floor area.
The energy sector and green tech industry have largely welcomed the plans, saying they provide clearer direction for investment in low-carbon technologies. However, some developers have expressed concern about the scale of the requirements, particularly the amount of solar capacity expected per property.
The changes are estimated to increase construction costs by around £10,000 per home, though lower energy bills over time are expected to offset this for homeowners. While adding battery storage could further reduce costs, it has not been made compulsory.
Housebuilders say they had prior warning about the policy overall, but some were surprised by the extent of the solar requirements. Industry representatives warned that not all homes may be able to meet the targets due to design limitations, meaning exemptions will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Alongside new-build regulations, the government is also looking to expand access to renewable energy for people in existing properties, particularly those living in flats. It is working with major retailers to bring plug-in solar kits to the UK market. These systems, designed for smaller spaces and without installation costs, have proven popular in countries like Germany, where over a million households already use them.
Currently, such products are unavailable in the UK because they do not comply with existing electrical safety rules, but ministers say those regulations are now under review.