The Government has announced support for plug in solar panels, mandating of renewable energy on new build properties and a trial to reduce costs associated with turning off wind turbines when they generate too much electricity.
James Butcher, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The Future Homes Standard (FHS) only scratches the surface of decarbonising Britain, but it remains an important step forward in bringing down the cost of energy for 1% of homes, while laying groundwork for the 99% already built.
All homes will benefit from plug in solar panels, and we expect even greater benefits should plug in home batteries be supported. We congratulate the Government on continuing to enable as many pathways to net zero as possible.”
The Government is working with major retailers to bring plug in solar to all consumers. This solution will make generating electricity from small solar arrays a DIY job, while growing innovation in this space.
The dark-colored roof of a new residential private house
The Future Homes Standard (FHS) will be effective from 24 March 2027 and is underpinned by the Home Energy Model (HEM), a new methodology to calculate compliance.
Headline FHS announcements include:
Renewable energy mandated on most new build dwellings.
A subsequent technical review of Part O: Overheating regulations
Release of approved documents Part L (energy) and Part F (ventilation)
Guidance on smart ready new builds
Future Homes Standard impact assessment released
HEM will release after the FHS
Rico Wojtulewicz, Director of Policy and Market Insight at the NFB, said: “We thank the Government for listening to our FHS recommendations to re-review Part O, permit non-roof top solar and broaden the definition of acceptable renewables. This will mitigate some of the grid connection challenges housebuilders will face’’.
Rico Wojtulewicz, Director of Policy and Market Insight at the NFB
