Are Solar Panels Compulsory on New Builds?

In the UK, more than 450,000 solar panels have been installed since the start of 2022. 

This represents a significant increase as, from 2016 to the end of 2021, just 214,647 solar panel systems were installed (less than half, in 5 years). 

As a result, the proportion of UK households with solar panels has risen from 3.5% to 5.3%.

To increase these growth rates even further, there is talk of new legislation from the government, which would require new builds to have solar panels installed. 

In this article, we’ll discuss what this legislation could entail, and the changes that it would bring. 

What legislation has the government proposed for new builds?

Currently, solar panels are not legally required for a new home. 

However, it looks like this is set to change in the near future. 

The UK government recently announced plans to mandate solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on nearly all new homes by 2027. This comes as part of its broader net-zero strategy, and will also help to reduce household bills across the country. 

As it stands, only 40% of new homes in the UK are built with solar panels. So, there is still considerable growth needed in this area. 

According to the UK’s Local Government Association (LGA) – in its recent April 2025 report, Empowering local climate action: Advice to government – adding solar panels to a property while it is being constructed is more cost-effective than adding the technology to existing homes.

The government has stated that there will most likely be some exemptions for this requirement. Although not yet confirmed, it is expected that buildings exceeding 15 storeys and constructions with alternative renewable energy sources in place will be exempt from the requirement. 

What are the benefits of installing solar panels in new builds?

Solar panels can bring significant benefits to a property, particularly in new builds, where their installation is as cost-effective as possible. 

These benefits include: 

• Energy cost savings – Research shows that homeowners could save over £1,000 annually on energy bills. When the standard installation cost is between £3,000–£4,000, this can be offset in just a few years. 
• Environmental impact – Solar panels are a fantastic, highly effective way to reduce your carbon emissions. Initiatives like this will be a core part of the UK achieving its net-zero targets.
• Increased property value – Thanks to the benefits above, properties that feature solar panels are increasingly desirable to prospective buyers. 

Practical considerations for the new policy 

While the policy is ambitious, it is important to note that it does pose some practical challenges. 

Critically, developers will need to manage the increased construction costs for new builds, in addition to the extra time that it will add to projects. 

Furthermore, in some cases, a new home might not have a roof of a suitable size or orientation to install a solar panel. However, the government has said that it will show some flexibility in instances where adding a solar panel wouldn’t be structurally feasible. 

Working with a professional roofing installer

At Salmon Solutions, we are expert roofing installers, and one of the UK’s leading metal roofing, metal cladding and single ply roofing contractors.

Our skilled, fully qualified team can work with you to facilitate the easy and efficient installation of solar panels on our roofs. 

To learn more about how this legislation will affect your projects, or how our roofs are readily compatible with solar panel installations, speak to our team today.