Set out under the previous government, the plans consulted on two options for future new builds; both would include heat pumps rather than gas boilers, but only one mandates for solar panels.
The outcome of this consultation under the new government is long-awaited and much discussed.
Last week’s article in The Guardian seemed to suggest that the direction of travel is not to mandate a particular option, in favour of ‘innovation and flexibility’, citing issues such as homes surrounded by trees or shade where solar panels may not be appropriate.
It was suggested that this was due to pressure from housebuilders.
However, the article prompted a statement being posted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) website.
Statement from MHCLG
It reads:
There has been some reporting this week on the Future Homes Standard and solar panels.
We are clear we want solar panels on as many new homes as possible and the suggestion that there are plans to water down the rules on low-carbon standards is completely untrue.
All options set out in the Future Homes Standard consultation would result in significant emissions reductions compared to previous standards. This would see those homes all built with no fossil fuel boilers, becoming fully net zero, without further cost to householders, by 2030 as the grid decarbonises.
A final decision on the amount of solar panels that new homes will typically be expected to include is yet to be made. Solar panels are not currently mandated and it is a fundamental principle of building regulations that we do not constrain innovation by prescribing any specific technology.
The final standard has yet to be determined, but will be shaped to ensure that new homes can be designed in keeping with local architectural practices, whilst also balancing energy bills, emissions, energy demand and construction costs.
A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said:
“These claims are inaccurate – we are not weakening the rules on low-carbon standards.
“We want solar panels on as many new homes as possible, because they are a vital technology to help cut bills for families, boost our national energy security, and help deliver net zero.
“It’s also crucial we set standards for new homes in a way that allows for future innovation and flexibility in technology and design, which is why the building regulations do not mandate one particular option.”
Industry reactions to the no solar panel option
Essentially then, there is still no clearer picture as to what the outcome might be. We do know that The Guardian piece has reignited the debate and speculation, particularly around the suggestion that an option without solar panels could be preferred.
Solar Energy UK
Gareth Simkins, senior communications adviser at Solar Energy UK, said: “Solar Energy UK is expecting to see a Future Home Standard that effectively mandates solar on all new build homes, along with electric heating.
“These would be cost effective to build and popular with homeowners by providing low running costs. There will always be exceptions for some buildings, but if the rules are drafted in a way to allow mass housebuilding without a solar roof, that would undermine the Government’s own Clean Power Mission.”
Federation of Master Builders (Wales)
Gareth Jones, President of the Federation of Master Builders (Wales), said: “The Labour government gave in to the large housebuilders many years ago in Wales over the Code for Sustainable homes, stating the costs would drive house prices to be unaffordable.
“It seems we are seeing the same type of pressure again in England. Consumers expect solar to be installed on new homes as standard. My concern is large housebuilders are putting profits before needs and our needs are to decarbonise. It is absolutely bonkers to think it would be optional to install.
“Many small housebuilders, including our members, are fitting solar as standard on their new builds and have for many years. All new homes should be fitted with solar panels but I believe there should be a minimum safety standard around this, as not all technology is the same.
“Installing the cheapest system will not be the safest, so it needs to be considered that new homes also need to be the safest too.”
Midsummer Energy
Matt Agness, head of software, Midsummer Energy, said: “I can see arguments for and against this. If the government has alternative plans for decarbonisation (i.e. large scale wind, solar, nuclear) then they may think the wording of this regulation won’t have a meaningful impact on decarbonisation targets and could have a benefit to its house building targets.
“However, I think every little helps and solar on homes can also have an economic benefit for the home owners and for the grid. Not having any fixed minimum requirement for new build developers is a missed opportunity. Making the world a better and fairer place and reducing the impact of climate change will require governments to be brave and impose tough regulations. Without this our industries will always take the path that is most convenient or profitable.
“These days there are more solutions than ever that make it possible to get good returns from solar on most properties. This includes adding optimisers for shaded locations, using micro-inverters for shaded systems or where space is limited, to innovative systems like Solshare that make it possible to share energy generated by solar arrays installed on apartment blocks to be shared across all the residents.”
Heatio
Thomas Farquhar, Chief Commercial Officer at Heatio, said: “This is a far cry from a ‘rooftop revolution’. Continuing to build new homes without the very basics required to combat climate change makes absolutely no sense, whilst at the same time, encouraging existing properties to retrofit efficiency and renewable measures.
“Not only does this send completely the wrong message to existing property owners, but it also continues to make the problem bigger and more challenging with every new home that is built, as they immediately become a retrofit problem for the future.
“Whilst the rest of Europe accelerates their deployment of renewable technologies and decreases their reliance on volatile energy prices, we continue to kick the can down the road, which is especially ludicrous given the recent announcement about how dire the global climate situation actually is. Why is climate change still treated as a political nice to have rather than the humanitarian emergency it really is?”
GRYD Energy
Mohamed Gaafar, CEO and Co-Founder of GRYD Energy, said: “It’s very concerning to see the new Labour government wavering over the strength of legislation proposed about the environmental standards of new homes.
“The previous government delivered so many mixed messages over decarbonisation standards for UK homes. This has caused significant uncertainty for asset owners, landlords and developers and fuelled inaction across the sector.
“The new government’s green growth agenda cannot be realised without an unapologetic commitment to the Future Homes Standard. This will give the property sector the clarity and stability it needs, and deliver a clear message that the future of Britain’s housing will be driven by innovation and no longer plagued by inertia.
“Until now, the government has heavily focussed on the decarbonisation of homes through subsidies for retrofits. This is an important piece of the puzzle, yet with Starmer’s bold ambition to build 1.5 million homes in five years, he must put robust regulatory measures in place to ensure those new homes are built for a net zero future – and won’t have to be retrofitted with the right technology in a matter of years.
“If we don’t build homes today that are future-proofed with low carbon systems, we’ll be retrofitting them 5-10 years down the line at a much higher cost. Let’s do it once and do it right.”
What do you think? Should the Future Homes Standard mandate solar panels for new builds? Write to us with your views at linda@renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk.
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