Solar panel plans for all new homes confirmed as government begins finalising Future Homes Standard, sparking mixed reactions
Solar panels will be required on all new homes under the new Future Homes Standard regulations(Image credit: Halfpoint/Getty Images)
The UK government has confirmed that the Future Homes Standard will be published this autumn, making it clear that new homes will require solar panels as standard.
The announcement forms part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering energy bills for future homeowners.
While many industry experts and consumers have welcomed the move as a step toward cleaner energy and cost savings, some have raised concerns about potential challenges for builders and buyers as these new regulations take effect.
The government says this will spark a "rooftop revolution", helping families save hundreds of pounds on energy bills annually.
A typical existing home with solar panels could already save about £530 per year based on current energy prices - these savings will now be unlocked from day one for new homeowners.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the measure “common sense,” stating: “So many people just don’t understand why this doesn’t already happen. With our plans, it will.”
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Low-carbon heating also part of the plan
The one-metre rule for heat pumps has been removed(Image credit: Aprott/Getty Images)
Beyond solar, the Future Homes Standard includes mandatory low-carbon heating solutions like heat pumps, alongside high energy efficiency standards.
These upgrades will not only lower bills but also reduce reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with broader net-zero targets.
Planning rules have already been relaxed to support this transition: homeowners can now install a heat pump within one metre of their property boundary without needing planning permission - a move expected to remove a key barrier cited by nearly a third of potential heat pump customers, according to Octopus Energy.
Industry and sector-wide support
The announcement has received strong backing from across the energy and construction sectors.
Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, praised the move: “Making solar panels a functional requirement of the Building Regulations will cut energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and improve our nation’s energy security.”
Charlotte Lee, CEO of the Heat Pump Association, welcomed the clarity and said it provides a clear signal for scaling up: “Coupled with solar PV, highly efficient heat pump installations will result in low consumer energy bills.”
Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, added: “Our research shows customers can shrink their energy bills by up to 90% when combining solar and battery with the right tariff. This announcement means more households can now access those savings.”
Builders also voiced strong support. Jack Brayshaw from Vistry Group said that solar panels and EV chargers are already part of their standard specs, and the new measures will help them go further in delivering sustainable communities.
Concerns over cost, practicality and fairness
While the announcement has been widely welcomed by the renewable energy industry, not all reactions have been glowing.
The Home Builders Federation, representing the UK’s largest housebuilders, warned that mandating rooftop solar could “add complexity and cost” to new developments.
The group stressed that rigid rules - like proposals to require panels on 40% of roof space - could clash with practical site constraints, potentially slowing down delivery of new homes.
Meanwhile, Conservative MPs and opposition parties questioned the affordability of the policy for ordinary people. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition, criticised the plans as unrealistic without “a serious drop in our living standards,” arguing they could push up housing and energy costs for working families.
Despite the fanfare, these critiques point to a central tension in the government’s plans: how to deliver cleaner, cheaper energy in a way that’s also practical, fair and doesn’t hold back housing targets.
The details in the full Future Homes Standard will determine whether this solar-powered vision truly delivers for everyone.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
