Future Homes Standard and plug-in solar panels: Legal comment

The UK Government has introduced new rules from today to implement the Future Homes Standard, featuring measures that will ensure the majority of new homes in England are fitted with solar panels and heat pumps as standard. 

In addition, ‘plug-in’ solar panels will be rolled out across homes in Britain as part of an ambition to boost homegrown clean power and cut energy bills. 

Residents will be able to buy low-cost panels, which can be easily installed on balconies or outdoor spaces, from retailers in the coming months. 

Ben Standing, Partner in planning and environment at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, said: “After much delay to implementing the Future Homes Standard since the policy was first launched in 2019, this feels like a sensible approach from the government to ensure its housebuilding drive is in step with its homegrown clean energy ambitions. 

“With a desire to build 300,000 homes every year, it wouldn’t make sense if these required retrofitting soon after construction. Ensuring solar panels and heat pumps are fitted as standard is therefore an important intervention that also brings a focus on high-quality, comfortable new housing that is cheap to run.

“However, this push must be complemented by a dedicated drive to upskill people who will be needed to install solar panels, as well as other features of a modern, energy-efficient home such as heat pumps. 

“If existing skills shortages aren’t plugged, this could hold back development at a time when it needs to be accelerated, while accentuating public perspectives regarding poor solar panel and heat pump installation. 

“Developers will also want to see wider viability considerations taken into account to ensure this doesn’t have a chilling effect on the pace of housebuilding. This is especially relevant given the significant increase in construction costs over the past five years.

“The accompanying policy to roll-out plug-in solar panels won’t face similar skills challenges and is an innovative low-cost alternative to expensive retrofitting, while helping to reduce our country’s reliance on fossil fuels, whose costs are inextricably linked with geopolitics. 

“It’s important to remember that these twin solar policies are just part of the broader future energy mix for British households. Ramping up nuclear power via small modular reactors and new nuclear power stations, investing in offshore wind and hydropower, and developing the associated infrastructure to carry this energy to homes and businesses remains critical to economic growth.”