The UK Government has confirmed that new build homes in England in future will be required to have solar PV installed. The Future Homes Standard is a set of new building regulations that have been developed over the last couple years. It is designed to significantly improve the energy efficiency of new-build homes in England and reduce carbon emissions. The standard will encourage use of low-carbon heating such as heat pumps and require improved levels of insulation and air-tightness. Consultations had considered whether solar panels covering equivalent to 40% of the ground floor area should be installed as part of the standard. Energy Secretary Ed Milliband confirmed this month that even if properties cannot achieve 40% of the ground floor area, they will still be required to have some solar panels except in rare exceptional cases due to shading.
Last year the MCS Foundation published a study which indicated that mandatory renewables on new-build homes could save the average household £1,300 a year. This was achieved for homes with heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage. More information on the MCS Foundation study can be found on the link below.