Rooftop solar to become standard for new builds

The UK Government has confirmed the change will be part of the upcoming Future Homes Standard, to be published this autumn.

Propertymark supports efforts to reduce household energy costs and improve energy efficiency in new homes but has urged Ministers to address practical implementation challenges and ensure support is in place for the UK’s 29 million existing homes.

The new measures aim to help families cut energy bills while boosting the UK’s energy security with clean, homegrown power. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated that new build homes will have solar panels fitted by default, alongside low-carbon heating and high energy efficiency standards.

A typical existing home with solar panels could save around £530 a year under current price cap levels, according to official estimates.

The proposed changes will amend building regulations to make renewable electricity generation, primarily solar, a functional requirement for new homes, with limited exceptions for shaded or tree-covered sites.

Propertymark’s stance

We have highlighted to decision-makers that awareness of schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme remains low among agents and the public. Many property professionals also report that energy improvements do not yet lead to corresponding increases in property value — making upfront investment harder to justify.

We have also cautioned that policy ambition must be matched with viability. We warned that overly rigid requirements could deter development, particularly from small or rural housebuilders. Flexibility and cost caps will be key to ensuring widespread and viable solar adoption.

A wider plan for change

The new standard forms part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, which includes a target to build 1.5 million new homes and make it easier and cheaper for people to install clean technologies like heat pumps and EV chargers. From May 2025, changes to permitted development rights mean most homeowners can now install a heat pump without submitting a planning application.

This joined-up approach is designed to futureproof homes, cut carbon emissions, and support families with long-term savings.

What this means for agents

For estate and letting agents, the inclusion of solar panels in the Future Homes Standard may increase consumer awareness of energy efficiency and renewables, making buyers and tenants more likely to value properties that include features such as solar and heat pumps.

Commercial and public sector agents should also be aware of how this policy could influence planning expectations and building standards for non-residential properties.

In our report, Energy efficiency in UK property, we found a gradual rise in EPC awareness among buyers. With new builds set to offer enhanced energy performance as standard, understanding and communicating the value of clean energy features will be an essential skill for agents.

Kindly shared by propertymark Image courtesy of Adobe