Eight in Ten MPs Back Mandatory Solar Panels on Newbuilds
A recent YouGov survey has revealed that 79% of MPS support making solar panels mandatory on all newbuild homes by 2025.
The poll, which was conducted online between 4 and 26 January, surveyed 107 MPs and showed that 73% of Conservative and 83% of Labour participants believe that solar PV should be incorporated into the designs of all newbuilds from 2025 onwards. Only 4% of participants disagree, and 17% neither agree nor disagree.
Other sustainable technologies were also highlighted through the poll, with findings showing that 61% of MPs believing that battery storage should also be mandatory. This figure represents 77% of Labour participants and 47% of Conservatives.
Heat pumps also gained the support of more than half of the sample, with 56% backing their inclusion, including 72% of Labour participants and 43% of Conservatives.
Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of the Solar Energy UK trade association, added: “Everyone wins from making solar power effectively mandatory for new housing.
“It means lower bills for newbuild homeowners and greater energy security for us all, plus progress towards net zero, through cutting reliance on pricey natural gas.
“The policy would save newbuild homeowners between £910 to £2,120 per year, according to the Government consultation, while pushing purchase prices up only marginally.”
The Future Homes Standard is currently exploring the concept of net zero homes
The poll was commissioned by the MCS Foundation, the overseeing body of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) standard, which certifies the quality of renewable energy installations throughout the UK.
It comes as the Government consider new standard-setting regulations concerning energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon reductions for the Future Homes Standard, which is set to come into force from 2025.
MCS have said that the clear support for renewable energy technologies highlighted by the poll demonstrate an understanding that the homes of the future should be able to generate their own clean energy.
David Cowdrey, Director of External Affairs at the MCS Foundation, said: “When it comes to constructing modern homes that are climate-friendly and cheap to run, building-in solar panels, batteries for energy storage, and heat pumps from the start is very clearly the way to go.
It is very encouraging that such a clear majority of MPs back the principle of renewable energy for all new homes.
“The Government now has a mandate to require a meaningful deployment of solar panels as well as battery storage on new-builds under the Future Homes Standard, and it must enact that as soon as possible.”
At present, plans for the Future Homes Standard are out for consultation, with the Government stating in their December 2023 consultation document that there is: “no practical way to allow the installation of fossil fuel boilers while also delivering significant carbon savings and ‘zero-carbon ready’ homes. As such, we do not expect fossil fuel heating, such as gas, hybrid heat pumps or hydrogen-ready boilers, will meet these standards.”
Turning away from fossil fuels is a welcome concept to many. Juliet Phillips, Senior Policy Advisor at think tank E3G, responded at the time, saying: “Ensuring that all new homes are built highly efficient and with clean heat is perhaps the most popular and common-sense of climate policies.
“We’re delighted that the government has finally confirmed that all new homes must be built to new zero standards from 2025. This is great news for homebuyers, who will save money on energy bills and avoid the need for costly retrofits in the future.”
