The solar industry trade association estimates that the proportion of new homes and buildings with solar photovoltaic panels included has risen by more than three times in the last 12 months.
It estimates that 45,070 new build homes were completed in England over the fourth quarter of last year, the latest period for which figures are available. Data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), says 18,954 installations were completed on new build properties over the same period. Assuming all of these were on homes indicates that 42% are solar-powered.
In comparison, only 5,731 (13%) of 44,310 new homes built in the last quarter of 2023 had solar panels included.
Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK Chief Executive, said: “It’s a reasonable assumption that at least 40% of new English homes now have solar power, given the clear trend in the data. It will certainly be a much higher proportion by the end of the year, when the transition to an upgraded energy efficiency requirement under the Building Regulations should be complete.
“Comparable rules in Scotland led to 80% of new homes having panels fitted. There has been much attention lately on the next iteration of the Building Regulations, the Future Homes Standard, which we expect will all but mandate substantial solar installations on new homes.
“But it is important to recognise how the existing rules are driving growth in the industry, while cutting emissions and bills for homeowners. The numbers demolish any suggestion that the solar industry would be unable to scale up to meet even greater demand under the forthcoming standard,” he added.
Average capacity for new builds has declined
The recent increase results from revised ‘Part L’ rules on residential energy efficiency, which have applied in full since June 2023. Although welcome, a consequent fall in the average size of systems is rather less so, says Viridian Solar.
“Before the new rules, fitting solar power to new homes in England was driven by either local planning requirements or the preference of self-builders. Planning conditions were applied on a site-wide basis and tended to mean that solar installations were concentrated on a few homes, to comply in the most convenient and cost-effective way,” ,” said Stuart Elmes, Chief Executive of roof-integrated solar manufacturer Viridian Solar.
“In contrast, self-builders would ensure that their installation was of the right size to make a cost-effective contribution towards meeting their own energy requirements.”
So, as the proportion of new homes with solar photovoltaic panels built by private developers has risen, average capacity for newbuilds has declined, going from about four kilowatts at the end of 2023 to only 2.4kW in Q4 this year.
‘No surprise that more builders are choosing solar’ – UPOWA
James Bull, Founder and Sales Director at newbuild PV specialist UPOWA said: “Solar PV panels are one of the most reliable and cost-effective technologies available that deliver proven energy and carbon savings for new build homes. It’s no surprise then that we’re seeing more and more housebuilders choose solar as their preferred renewable energy solution to future-proof residential developments to meet the changing Building Regulations landscape.
“We’ve also seen a rise in interest from our housebuilder customers who now offer battery storage and PV array upgrades when bought off plan. Integrating battery storage at the point of the construction is not only easier to install and more economical, but it also helps housebuilders go one step further to creating zero-carbon-ready homes that are fit for the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, the number of solar retrofits to existing homes has hovered around 8,000 to 10,000 each month in England for more than a year. Driven by a combination of high energy prices, low installation costs and environmental concerns, the number remains far greater than before the energy price crisis.
Both newbuild and retrofit aspects of the market have driven the number of rooftops with smaller-scale solar installations across the UK to over 1.6m – over 180,000 in 2024 alone. For England, the figure stands at 1.3m, 169,000 of them coming since January 2024.
Most MCS-scale installations, below 50 kilowatts’ capacity, are mounted on home roofs, with a smaller proportion being fitted to schools, small businesses, community buildings and the like. A typical residential installation is around 4kW.
‘Crucial that momentum is maintained’ – MCS Foundation
David Cowdrey, Acting Chief Executive of the MCS Foundation, said: “The rapid increase of solar PV installations in new builds over the past year highlights the importance of strong regulation in driving sector growth and demonstrates the industry’s capability to step up to meet rising demand. As the market for solar PV in new builds continues to grow, it’s crucial that we maintain this momentum through the Future Homes Standard, ensuring that both solar PV and low-carbon heating become standard features in all new homes.
“Without continued regulatory support, the significant progress made in the sector over the past year is at risk of being undermined.”
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