New build Homes Under Scrutiny

The Local Government Association (LGA) is urging the UK Government to mandate that all new-build homes be fitted with solar panels—and it's a call that deserves serious attention.

With local authorities striving to meet their climate commitments, the absence of consistent national policy is a major barrier. Right now, whether a new home includes solar panels largely depends on local planning decisions or developer discretion. The LGA argues that this inconsistency is holding the UK back—and they’re right.

A national mandate would ensure that every new home contributes to the UK’s net zero goals from day one. It’s a smart, future-proof policy: not only would it cut household energy bills and reduce carbon emissions, it would also eliminate the need for costly retrofitting just a few years down the line. The cost of living crisis still glooms over us and could this be part of the solution?

This isn’t a radical idea—many countries are already doing it. The technology is well-established, costs have dropped significantly, and the benefits are crystal clear. With over 230,000 new homes built in England each year, embedding solar power into housing policy could be one of the most straightforward ways to rapidly expand our renewable energy capacity.

The LGA’s proposal isn't just about technology—it's about national leadership. It’s about making climate resilience a standard, not an afterthought. Solar should no longer be considered an optional upgrade, but a basic feature of every new home. It's time to build the future we talk about.