The bill set out the case for all new build homes to be fitted with solar panels.

A proposed law requiring all new homes to have solar panels suggested by Cheltenham’s MP has been rejected.

The New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill, brought by Liberal Democrat Max Wilkinson, was debated in parliament on Friday during its second reading.

The so-called “Sunshine Bill” could help the country tackle the “twin crises” of the cost of living crisis and climate change, Mr Wilkinson said.

But while minister for housing and planning Matthew Pennycook said the government was “extremely sympathetic”, it was rejected by officials.

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Similar changes have been signalled by the government which could become part of new building regulations to be amended later this year.

  • JohnSmith
    1·
    2 hours ago

    Solar panels will obviously not work well in all houses, but where they do there should be sufficient incentives to add them. Large scale use of dedicated house batteries or EVs to time-shift energy draw from the grid would also make the whole system much more efficient.

  • CountVon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    6·
    7 hours ago

    This bill might have been well-meaning, but it’s honestly not realistic to put solar panels on every home. Some homes just aren’t well sited to get full benefit from solar panels, especially when you’re far from the equator. I would love to have solar panels on my house, and my government has reimbursement programs available for solar panel installs so I went seeking quotes. Unfortunately I was told point blank by multiple installers that the panels wouldn’t offset their own cost in my situation. Too much tree shade, not enough roof slope facing the equator. Disappointing, but I’d rather see those panels get installed on homes that can make the most of them.