Earlier this year we got the news that solar panels will soon become a legal requirement for new build homes. Builders will have an obligation to include them on roofs. This will have an impact on housing costs, energy generation, household bills, and many other things. We’ll be ready for the change, ensuring we continue to offer the best services for roof cleaning in Guildford and across Surrey.

Future Homes Standard

A new initiative will come into force in the near future. The Future Homes Standard (FHS) aims to ensure all new housing will be significantly more sustainable. Crucially, it will introduce new standards for energy efficiency, airtightness, and more. The estimate is we’ll see the introduction in autumn 2025, so it’s a good idea to get ready.

One of the most interesting parts of the FHS is it will require all new homes to have solar panels on the roofs beginning in 2027. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, confirmed the move. He said solar will become “almost universal” on new builds because of the initiative. There will only be a few rare cases where buildings will get planning permission without it.

The impact

There has been plenty of support for the decision to make solar panels mandatory for new builds. Supporters, including Greenpeace UK, back the decision to make homes more sustainable and take advantage of roofs to generate more clean electricity. Many say it will also help to reduce the need for solar farms, protecting the countryside and green space.

One of the key details is home owners could save hundreds of pounds or more on energy bills every year. Over time, it would more than pay off the cost of the solar panels. With services like roof cleaning in Guildford, property owners will also be able to maintain performance over time.

The drawback of the move is it will increase the cost of new build homes. The estimate is it could add £3,000 to £4,000 to prices. This will vary though depending on the builder, tech, and location.

Net Zero

A crucial factor is the FHS will be a major stepping stone to net zero. The UK Government wants to achieve this by 2050. They are targeting the residential sector because homes account for a massive 20% of carbon emissions. More solar panels on properties will help decarbonise the sector and reduce the need for fossil fuels.

Speak to us if you need roof cleaning in Guildford

As you can see, the FHS means we’ll see more solar panels in the near future. There are also plans to introduce new grants and loans to install them on current homes. It could lead to a wave of retrofitting and also help to reduce residential carbon emissions.

As we said above, cleaning is important if you have solar panels. Typically, the recommendation is to clean them every year to 18 months. This can get rid of dirt, debris, and other contaminants that can reduce performance.

If you want the most reliable roof cleaning in Guildford or other parts of Surrey, you should speak to us. We’ve got a knowledgeable, experienced team. Our services are consistently high quality, and we do everything we can to ensure there is no damage to the roofing or other parts of the property. So, get in touch today if you want a quote or have any questions for us.