UK Makes Solar Panels Mandatory On Most New Homes

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has confirmed that the "vast majority" of new homes in England will be fitted with solar panels as standard, aiming to slash household energy bills and nudge the UK closer to its net-zero ambitions. The announcement is part of the forthcoming Future Homes Standard set for release this autumn. Miliband claims solar panels could save homeowners around £530 annually, based on current energy price caps. The plan mandates solar panels on almost all new builds, with "rare exceptions" for homes shaded by trees or otherwise impractical for solar generation. Unlike the previous Conservative Party government plan, the Labour Party's approach insists on at least some solar coverage, even if the 40 per cent target is not met. Developers have warned of added costs and bureaucratic hurdles, estimating solar installations could add £3,000 to £4,000 to construction costs per building. Miliband has dismissed concerns that these costs would be passed onto buyers, claiming house prices would not rise. The policy is part of Labour's broader green agenda, including relaxed planning rules for heat pumps and a £13.2 billion insulation scheme. Industry figures have hailed the move as a win for both wallets and the planet, while others have raised concerns about the feasibility of the plan.