
‘Momentum is building': Green industries praise clean energy rules for new homes
Green industries have praised proposals to require solar panels and heat pumps in new build homes but housebuilders warned that too much bureaucracy to install them could harm efforts to hit housing targets.
The Energy Department (Desnz) said on Friday that the future homes standard (FHS), which will be published in autumn, is expected to require new residential properties to have solar panels and low-carbon heating by default.
With a significant amount of the UK's carbon footprint coming from gas heating of homes, the FHS will require new housing in England to produce fewer carbon emissions than those built under current regulations.
The renewable energy sector, alongside green campaigners, have welcomed the 'common sense' proposals.
Trevor Hutchings, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said: 'The growth of solar power has been one of the UK's biggest renewable energy success stories, demonstrating without a doubt that we don't have to choose between lowering our emissions and lowering household energy bills.
'Today's announcement – which the REA has long campaigned for – takes this one step further – not only enabling thousands of future homeowners to experience the benefits of affordable and clean power, but supercharging growth in the British renewable energy industry and driving forward our energy transition.'
Chris O'Shea, chief executive of Centrica, said: 'The age of solar is well and truly upon us, with millions of households up and down the country already benefiting from generating their own free electricity from the sun.
'With the Future Home Standard expected in the autumn, momentum is building behind Great Britain's rooftop revolution.'
Mike Childs, head of policy, science and research at Friends of the Earth, called the move 'plain common sense' but warned that ministers must act to help decarbonise homes that are already built.
'The Spending Review next week must ensure that the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan is sufficiently funded so that that everyone can enjoy these benefits, and no one is left behind because they can't afford the changes,' he said.
Greenpeace UK's head of politics Ami McCarthy said: 'It's extraordinary that such a common-sense solution has taken so long to be rolled out, and this Government deserves full credit for this breakthrough.
'Now ministers need to urgently reform the UK's energy system as a whole and stop gas from setting the price of electricity so that everyone, whether living in a new build or not, gets to enjoy the lower bills that cheap, clean renewable power can bring.'
Under the proposed changes, developers must meet solar panel coverage equivalent to 40% of the building's flood area – and those that cannot must install a 'reasonable amount of solar coverage'.
The changes will be subject to practical limits with flexibility in place for new homes surrounded by trees or with lots of shade overhead, the Government said.
Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson praised the move after ministers previously rejected his 'Sunshine Bill' – a similar law which would have seen new builds come with solar panels equivalent to at least 40% of their ground floor area as standard.
The Cheltenham MP told the PA news agency: 'This news will help us fight the cost-of-living crisis by lowering people's energy bills while reducing carbon emissions too.
'I've been campaigning on this since long before I was an MP and was determined to build on its success after I was elected.
'I welcome today's news from the Government and I'm pleased we can all look forward to a brighter future – but there will be more work to do to ensure solar for new builds begins without delay.'
Housebuilders largely welcomed the announcement but warned against introducing burdensome paperwork which may harm the Government's efforts to reach its target to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.
Neil Jefferson, chief executive at the Home Builders Federations, said: 'Moving forward, as we look to meet the more challenging carbon reductions set by Government, we will see solar PV panels on the overwhelming majority of new homes.
'We welcome recognition from Government that there needs to be flexibility around the number of panels on roofs in some locations, to reflect orientation and house design.
'We need to ensure the process to agree the number of panels in such locations is workable and not overly bureaucratic such that it does not delay attempts to increase housing supply.'
Mark Wakeford, national chairman of the National Federation of Builders, said: 'Solar panels on new homes make sense because they lower bills and progress the clean energy revolution we so desperately need.
'Credit must also be given for recent announcements on grid investment and connection reforms, as these were important challenges to recognise and solve for a rooftop revolution to happen in practice.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Starmer goes all in on NHS with PM set to hand health service £30bn spending boost at expense of other public services
Sir Keir Starmer will pump money into the NHS at the expense of other public services. The government is putting all its eggs in one basket as it lines up the Department for Health for a £30billion cash boost at next week's spending review. However, health chiefs have warned the prime minister's promise to 'turbocharge delivery' could lead to difficult compromises elsewhere in services from the police to councils. It comes after the party's unexpected victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election - though as the threat of Nigel Farage 's Reform UK still looms large. The Department for Health will be handed an increase of around £200billion to its budget by 2028 - a £17billion rise in real terms. Its day-to-day budget is set to increase by 2.8 per cent in real terms annually over the three-year spending review period. Sir Keir has also pledged to have 92 per cent of NHS patients treated within 18 weeks by the next election, a target that has remained unmet for a decade. Currently, under 60 per cent are seen within this time with waiting lists rising to 7.4million last month. There are even fears NHS bosses may not hit an interim goal of 65 per cent next year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves' prioritisation of health has forced cuts in other departments and prompted protestations from other cabinet members like Yvette Cooper, the home secretary and Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary. Both have warned Ms Reeves the cuts will put some of the government's crime and housing targets at risk amid 'robust negotiations'. But the chancellor has maintained 'not every department will get everything they want'. Overall, the health budget, which stood at £178billion as Labour took office, will exceed £230billion by the next election. The increase means health is set to account for 41 per cent of all day-to-day departmental spending - up from 39 per cent. Ben Zaranko, of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said Ms Reeves's cash boost was 'a serious, meaningful increase in health funding'. But Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, warned the funding increase 'is not going to enable us to achieve recovery and reform' without big changes to the way the health service treats patients. He said the government's plan to withhold the budget for infrastructure simultaneously would also make 'combining recovery and reform' impossible.


Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool make huge new Wirtz offer in bid to strike British record transfer
Liverpool have submitted a new offer to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz - but are still below the German club's valuation of the player. The bid totals £113million with £100m initially and a further £13m in add ons. It would be a British transfer record, eclipsing the £107m that Chelsea splashed out on Enzo Fernandes back in 2023. But Bayer Leverkusen believe the German star is worth £126m (€150m). Talks are continuing between the clubs and will go on through the weekend. Liverpool do not want to pay the full asking price the Bundesliga side are looking for and are hoping to strike a compromise. Wirtz, 22, has made it clear to his club that he only wants to move to Anfield after Manchester City opted out of the race for his signature when it became clear his preference was Merseyside. Sporting director Richard Hughes is leading negotiations and is hopeful a deal can be reached in the coming days. Boss Arne Slot sees Wirtz as a player who can push Liverpool forward as they bid to defend the Premier League title and go for glory in the Champions League. He's seen as a talent who can make an instant impact but with the potential to become even better over the coming years. Personal terms won't be an issue once a fee is agreed and the player is waiting for the green light to head to Liverpool for a medical next week after Germany face France in the Nations League third-place play-off on Sunday. Rudi Voller, the former Leverkusen sporting director, speculated that progress on a deal was being made earlier this week. 'It's no secret that he'd like to go to Liverpool,' Voller told DAZN. 'I know the clubs are negotiating with each other. [But with] transfers like this [it's] often the case that it takes a while until an agreement is finally reached. Of course, in the end, you have the feeling it will go through. 'Florian Wirtz has proven that he is a very, very valuable player. Not only for Bayer Leverkusen but also for the national team. That's why he costs a few euros more.' Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Business News Wales
5 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Combinable Crops Review Targets Fairer Returns for Farmers
Combinable Crops Review Targets Fairer Returns for Farmers A new UK Government review aims to tackle unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain. Combinable crops, such as cereals (like wheat and barley), oilseeds, and pulses, are harvested using a combine harvester. They provide essential ingredients for food, animal feed and fuel. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'British growers work incredibly hard to produce world-class food, and deserve fair, transparent contracts that reflect that. 'This review is a major step forward in giving arable farmers a stronger voice, better protection and fairer returns for the food they produce. 'We're proud of the vital work farmers undertake every day to feed our nation, which is why we're investing £5 billion – the largest ever budget for sustainable farming.' The UK Government has appointed former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to lead reforms. It says that it will collaborate with devolved governments in a bid to develop a fairer, more transparent supply chain. A formal public consultation will be launched, giving farmers and other stakeholders the chance to share their experiences.