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Labour's consideration to make solar panels optional on new homes, rather than mandatory, signals a potential shift in low-carbon building regulations. The new Future Homes Standard, expected to enforce low-carbon criteria for new homes, aims to align housing with the UK’s net zero targets by ensuring homes are energy-efficient and capable of generating renewable energy. However, Labour’s move to “encourage” rather than require solar installation on all new homes has sparked criticism from environmental advocates and experts, who argue that this approach introduces loopholes that may allow house builders to sidestep solar integration entirely. Ed Miliband, Labour’s energy secretary, previously promised a significant increase in solar power through a “rooftop revolution,” which aligns with strong public support—polls show that 80% of voters favour standard solar installations on new homes. However, house builders have pushed back, arguing that some homes may not be suitable for solar panels due to design or location, such as shading from trees or building orientation. Steve Turner from the Home Builders Federation highlighted the need for “flexibility” in choosing low-carbon options, noting that not every home type is ideal for solar. Experts pointed out that developers could avoid building houses to designs that were unsuitable for solar panels, that were shaded or that were not oriented to face the sun. Critics, however, argue that such exemptions primarily serve to cut costs for developers, who are reluctant to absorb the up-front expense of solar panels, which could add around £2,000 to the cost of an average new home. David Cowdrey of the MCS Foundation pointed out that requiring solar panels on new homes could add up to 4 GW of clean energy to the grid, lowering energy bills and furthering the country’s climate goals. Jess Ralston from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) argued that avoiding solar installations on new builds now would only lead to more expensive retrofitting later, burdening homeowners with higher up-front costs. David Cowdrey, acting chief executive of the MCS Foundation, a charity that certifies solar installations, said: Environmental groups like Friends of the Earth are calling on the government to resist house builder lobbying. Mike Childs, head of policy, emphasized that solar panels not only lower energy costs and emissions but also contribute to the UK's climate targets. He warned that the industry's history of opposing regulations could result in missed opportunities to reduce household energy bills and meet carbon reduction goals. Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, called on the government to reconsider. “The government mustn’t cave into house building lobbying by allowing them to choose whether or not to fit solar panels on new homes. The industry has a long history of building substandard homes and campaigning against tougher rules,” he said. He said that homeowners, and the UK’s efforts to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions, would suffer. “Solar panels are cheap, cut energy bills and emissions, and contribute to meeting the UK’s climate targets – which are currently way off track,” he said. “Ministers should be standing up for the interests of households, not the profits of house builders.” In light of the criticism, Labour has pledged to respond to the prior government’s consultation on the Future Homes Standard “in due course.” However, the current plan suggests a reduced emphasis on solar power for new homes, focusing instead on the flexibility to explore other technologies. Source: The Guardian See the Unionsafety E-Library for further information regarding clean energy and climate change.
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