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This is good news, for a change:

Builders will be required to fit solar panels to the “vast majority” of new build homes in England under changes to be published this year, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said.

The regulations will require developers to add panels unless the buildings fall under certain exemptions such as being covered by shade.

Speaking to the BBC, Miliband said the move was “just common sense” adding that solar panels would save the typical household £500 a year on their energy bills.

The Home Builders Federation said it backed fitting more panels but cautioned against introducing “burdensome” paperwork which it said could harm government efforts to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.

The rules will be included in the Future Homes Standard, which will detail a wider plan for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

The government says it will be published in autumn but there will be a transitional period for developers to adjust to the regulation changes.

This Writer supports the move to require solar panels on most new homes – of course.

Solar technology has matured to the point where even diffuse daylight can generate usable energy, and it’s just common sense to take advantage of that.

Installing solar panels by default will not only increase our national energy supply but could also drive down overall costs — both in terms of installation (through scale) and energy prices.

Even if payments for surplus energy decrease, homeowners still benefit through significantly lower bills.

This is the kind of policy that doesn’t just address climate goals but also puts money back in people’s pockets.

It’s long overdue that solar becomes a standard part of building homes.

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