The British government has announced new building regulations that will require nearly all new residential homes in England to incorporate solar photovoltaic systems by 2027. This move is part of the Future Homes Standard, which aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In addition to solar installations, new regulations will mandate low-carbon heating solutions like heat pumps, contributing to the decarbonisation of the building sector and potentially saving homeowners about £530 annually on energy costs.
The new regulation will apply to new residential buildings and includes mandatory solar installations and tougher requirements for energy efficiency and low-carbon heating. The British government announced new building regulations last week as part of the upcoming Future Homes Standard, set to be published in autumn 2025. From 2027, almost all new houses in England will be required to include photovoltaic roof systems. The regulations will also mandate low-carbon heating solutions, such as heat pumps, and significantly improved energy efficiency. This is intended to accelerate the decarbonisation of the building sector, reduce household dependence on fossil fuels and lower energy costs.
The new regulations will apply to England, while building standards for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are set locally. A typical house in the UK could save around £530 per year (approximately €630) at current energy prices thanks to the solar mandate, explained Energy Minister Ed Miliband. He described the new housing standard as a “monumental step” towards triggering a “roof revolution.”
The British Government also announced plans to accelerate housing construction and build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.
Source: https://www.pveurope.eu/markets/new-build-homes-england-must-include-solar-2027