Solar panels are not currently mandatory on new-build homes in the UK. While there is no blanket requirement for solar panels to be placed on new homes, some local authorities may have their own regulations or planning requirements that encourage the use of renewable energy technologies in new developments.
What should you know about new-build homes?
New-builds have a requirement by law to incorporate energy-saving technologies. This is governed by the SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) regulations. SAP looks at a new home’s energy rating and this information is collated in an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
How is the energy efficiency scored?
Properties receive a score of 1 to 100 plus for energy usage. This focuses on the heating and hot water system, inside lighting, the building and the materials used, and renewable technologies in the house such as solar panels. Government incentives exist to promote the installation of solar panels and other renewable energy systems in the UK, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy without emitting greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Using solar power reduces carbon emissions and helps mitigate climate change, making it an environmentally friendly energy solution. According to the BBC, solar panels could be installed on thousands of buildings in Sheffield as part of new large-scale renewable energy schemes.
If you are interested in solar panels Worcester, companies such as GSM can supply and install them.
What benefits are there to solar panels?
Solar panels allow homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing their reliance on grid-supplied electricity and lowering energy bills. Initiatives aimed at increasing the adoption of renewable energy technologies, including solar panels, could be on the cards for new construction projects in the future.