Developers will be required to install solar panels and heat pumps in new homes in England as part of updated planning requirements published by the government.
The move, which comes under the updated Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHBS) regulations, has been hailed as a significant step towards delivering energy-secure, lower-carbon buildings.
First proposed by then prime minister Boris Johnson in 2019 – four years after the Zero Carbon Homes policy was scrapped – the changes to the Building Regulations will finally come into full force in March 2028 following a 12-month transition period.
They form a crucial part of the government’s bid to meet the legal target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 2050, according to the policy’s impact assessment.
The government wants to ensure all new homes are zero-carbon ready, avoiding the need for future retrofit work. It also said it wanted to step up its drive for more clean homegrown power to wean the UK off its dependency on fossil fuel markets – an issue highlighted by the impact of the Iran war on energy prices.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “The war has once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don't control.”
Once in force, no new homes will be connected to the gas network, instead linking to low-carbon district heating or having air-source heat pumps. Also, they must have solar panels on roofing that covers an area equivalent to 40 per cent of the ground floor space.
Higher-risk buildings will be given longer transition time and renewable tech exemption.
The announced changes have been welcomed by the energy industry and those working in green technology.
Garry Felgate, CEO of MCS Foundation, which certifies installers of low carbon heating systems, said: "It's going to give clarity to the UK market, installers, builders, manufacturers, that there's a significant market that's there."
The Green Party’s Dr Ellie Chowns said there were some "genuine positives" in the new standard but added that it was "utterly ridiculous" to wait until 2028 before implementation.
The Conservatives said the focus should be on securing domestic energy supply to lower consumer bills, calling on the government to issue licences for new oil and gas fields in the North Sea and to scrap green subsidies.
The changes in building requirements are estimated to add an additional £10,000 onto the cost of a home for developers, but over the long term will likely bring down the cost of energy bills for customers.
Overall, private developers, private landlords and housing associations face a combined bill of £7.7bn for homes built over the next 10 years, assuming these have a 60-year lifespan.
DIY solar panels have been successful in Germany, where it is estimated that more than 1.5m homes have them, and it has been announced that Lidl is set to sell DIY "plug-and-play" solar panels in the UK for approximately £400.
