The New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill, sponsored by Max Wilkinson MP (Liberal Democrat), had its first reading in the House of Commons on 16 October 20241. It was introduced as a private member's bill and received no debate at this stage1. Its second reading debate is scheduled for 17 January 20251.
The bill would require the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring all new homes built from 1 October 2026 to have solar photovoltaic (PV) generation installed1. The regulations would generally require solar PV systems to cover an area equivalent to at least 40% of the new home's ground floor area1. This reflects one option set out in the previous government's 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation1. Exemptions would apply, including for buildings exceeding 15 storeys, buildings with other forms of renewable energy generation, and buildings where solar PV equipment is not cost effective to install1.
Solar panels are not currently mandated on new homes in England1. Building regulations are devolved, and the briefing primarily covers England1. The government has said a final decision on the amount of solar panels that new homes will typically be expected to include is yet to be made1. The government published a blog on the Future Homes Standard and solar panels on 24 October 2024, stating:
"We are clear we want solar panels on as many new homes as possible and the suggestion that there are plans to water down the rules on low-carbon standards is completely untrue."
The government announced in July 2024 a "rooftop revolution" to encourage builders and homeowners to install solar energy on properties, and the relaunched Solar Taskforce held its first meeting in October 20241. The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, published in December 2024, set a target for the installation of 45-47 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy by 2030, up from a current installed level of 16.6 GW1. The plan noted potential for an additional 9-10 GW if rooftop solar could be deployed by 20301.
Reaction has been mixed. The MCS Foundation has supported the bill, and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) published an article in support of it on 12 December 20241. A group of cross-party MPs and other stakeholders wrote an open letter in October 2024 to housing minister Matthew Pennycook calling for a mandate that all newly built homes be fitted with a "meaningful array" of solar panels1. According to a YouGov poll cited in the briefing, 79% of all MPs and 83% of Labour MPs agree that solar panels should be incorporated into all new-builds from 20251. The Home Builders Federation expressed concerns about the 40% area coverage requirement, including that mandating solar panels would restrict housebuilding innovation, and lobbied for "flexibility" to dispense with solar in favour of other low-carbon options1. Housing developers have largely not yet commented publicly on the bill itself1.
Why it matters for households
For a household buying a new build, the bill would change what comes fitted as standard rather than as an optional extra. A solar PV system covering 40% of ground floor area would generate electricity on site, reducing the amount drawn from the grid and cutting running costs, though the briefing does not give figures for bill savings. The briefing notes that owners of solar panels can be paid for surplus electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee, and that there is a zero rate of VAT on residential solar panels1. The National House Building Council has said that "providing the maintenance costs and pay-back periods are accurately predicted, this reliable technology [solar panels] has a role"1. For a home's energy independence, an installed array means some of the electricity used is generated on the property rather than bought in, though the briefing does not state how much of a typical home's demand such a system would meet.
What happens next
The bill's second reading debate is scheduled for 17 January 20251. The government has said it will publish a response to the 2023/24 Future Homes Standard consultation in due course1. A final decision on the amount of solar panels that new homes will typically be expected to include is yet to be made1.
Sources1 cited
- [](https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-10170/CBP-10170.pdf), researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk