Should Solar Panels Be Planned Into New Build Homes?

The UK government has set out a clear direction: solar panels are coming to the vast majority of new build homes in England, whether homebuyers ask for them or not. That announcement, made by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband in June 2025, marks a significant shift in how solar energy is expected to be delivered, moving it from an optional upgrade to a default feature of new construction.

This article explains what has actually been announced, why solar designed in from the start delivers better outcomes than retrofitting it later, and what homebuyers and self-builders should be thinking about now.

Power your home with Upvolt’s smart solar solutions.

Key Takeaways

• The UK government announced in June 2025 that solar panels would be required on the vast majority of new build homes in England, but as of mid-2025 those regulations had not yet come into force.
• Solar installed during construction is generally less expensive per unit of capacity than retrofitting, because scaffolding, cable routes, and consumer unit sizing are addressed as part of the broader build rather than as a separate project.
• A developer-specified solar system may not be sized to your actual usage patterns; an independent review against your consumption can identify whether battery storage or a larger array would materially improve your returns.
• Homes with owned solar panels tend to achieve stronger Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, which have increasing relevance to mortgage availability and resale value.

What Has the UK Government Actually Announced?

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced in June 2025 that builders would be required to fit solar panels on the “vast majority” of new build homes in England, with the relevant regulations to be published during the same year. The policy is framed as part of the government’s broader clean energy ambitions. As of mid-2026, however, this requirement is not yet in force. It is a stated policy intention, not enacted law, and homebuyers and developers should treat it accordingly.

The distinction matters. A regulation that has been announced is not the same as one that has been published and enacted. Until the final rules are in place, the legal obligation does not exist, even though the policy direction is clear.

Which Buildings Are Likely to Be Affected?

The announcement refers specifically to new build homes in England. The “vast majority” framing suggests that exemptions will apply, most likely covering properties where solar is structurally impractical, where roof orientation makes generation unviable, or where heritage or planning designations prevent installation. 

The precise scope of those exemptions has not yet been defined in legislation. Readers should monitor gov.uk for the current status of the regulations as they are published.

What About Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?

The Miliband announcement applies to England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland operate under devolved planning and energy policy, and each nation sets its own building regulations independently. Readers in those nations should consult their respective devolved government guidance for the current position on solar requirements in new construction.

Why Does Building Solar In Beat Adding It Later?

Solar installed during construction costs less per unit of capacity than retrofitting it on an existing home, because every supporting element is being addressed at the same time. However, if you’re renovating your home, it’s a good time to consider fitting solar panels to save on costs.

With homes in construction, scaffolding is already erected. The roof is open. The consumer unit is being installed fresh. Cable routes between the roof and the inverter can be planned and embedded in the structure rather than surface-run through finished rooms. Each of these elements adds cost and complication when they must be addressed separately on an existing property.

The saving is not uniform across all cases. On a very small system, the marginal advantage of building in may be modest. But on a well-specified installation, the construction advantage is real. There is also a roof warranty consideration that does not apply to new builds: retrofitting solar on an existing home requires penetrating the roof covering, which can affect existing warranties. On a new build, solar is part of the original specification, so that issue does not arise.

The Cable Run Advantage

On a new build, the cable routes between roof array and inverter, and from inverter to consumer unit, are planned and embedded during construction. On a retrofit, those routes must be threaded through a finished structure or run visibly along walls and ceilings. The new-build approach reduces installation time, produces a cleaner result, and removes the risk of cable routes being constrained by where the walls already are.

System Sizing From Day One

A self-builder or engaged homebuyer specifying solar at the design stage can size the array to their expected usage from the outset, rather than working around an existing roof structure. That means designing in the right capacity, provisioning for battery storage before the walls are finished, and accommodating EV charging infrastructure without retrofitting cable routes later. 

For more information on residential solar panel installation options and what sizing involves, Upvolt’s residential page covers the key decisions.

The Honest Case for and Against Developer-Fitted Solar

Developer-fitted solar is not automatically optimal. Volume housebuilders specify systems across large numbers of units and tend to prioritise cost over performance. The panels may be smaller-capacity than the roof would accommodate, the inverter may be entry-level, and battery storage is rarely included as standard. 

That does not mean developer solar is without value. Even a modestly specified system reduces grid dependence, qualifies the homeowner for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), the rate your energy supplier pays you for unused electricity you send back to the grid, and contributes to the property’s EPC rating.

The honest position for a buyer inheriting developer-specified solar is: understand what you have, assess it against your actual usage, and consider whether adding battery storage to a solar system or expanding the array is worth exploring. An independently specified system will generally produce better financial outcomes, but any solar is a better starting point than none.

What to Check When Buying a New Build With Solar Already Fitted

The practical checks are: total system capacity in kilowatt-peak (kWp, which represents the maximum output the array can generate under ideal conditions), inverter brand and model, whether battery storage is included or provisioned for, and whether the installation was carried out by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified company. MCS certification is the minimum standard required for SEG eligibility. Without it, the homeowner cannot register for export payments.

Before you sign contracts, it’s worth having the system specifications independently reviewed. Request a solar design review from Upvolt today.

When Developer Solar Is Sufficient

For a household with moderate electricity use on a south-facing roof, a well-specified developer system can genuinely meet a significant proportion of daily demand. The honest answer is that developer solar ranges from adequate to underspecified, and the only way to know which applies to your home is to compare the system’s rated output against your actual consumption.

Does Solar on a New Build Affect Property Value?

The concern that solar panels make a home harder to sell typically arises from older leased systems on existing properties, where the lease transferred to a new buyer on terms they had not agreed to. New-build solar is almost always owned outright by the homeowner, which removes that issue entirely. For an honest assessment of whether solar panels increase the value of your home, the evidence broadly points toward a neutral-to-positive effect for owned systems.

A stronger EPC rating is the most consistent benefit. Since 2025, EPC ratings carry increasing relevance to mortgage availability, and a higher-rated property can be easier to sell and finance. The extent of any price premium varies by location, buyer demand, and system specification, but the evidence does not support the concern that solar creates a resale problem for owned systems.

What If You Are Self-Building or Commissioning a New Build?

Self-builders are in the strongest possible position to integrate solar well. When you control the roof design, orientation, and electrical specification from the outset, every constraint that makes retrofitting expensive simply does not exist. 

The key decisions to make early are: roof pitch and orientation for maximum yield, provision for battery storage and EV charging infrastructure before the walls are finished, and whether a home energy management system is worth integrating at build stage.

Planning permission for solar panels in the UK on a new build is typically addressed as part of the planning application for the building itself, rather than as a separate permitted development matter. That said, the local planning authority should be consulted to confirm the position for the specific site.

Roof Design for Solar

South-facing roof sections at a pitch of between 30 and 40 degrees will typically produce the highest annual yield in the UK.. A self-builder can design the roof around the array rather than fitting the array around an existing roof, which is the single most valuable advantage the self-build route offers. 

East/west orientations are a reasonable alternative where south-facing area is limited, and in our experience they consistently outperform owner expectations for households with high morning and evening usage.

Planning In Battery and EV Infrastructure

Provisioning for battery storage and pairing solar with an EV charger at build stage means cable routes and consumer unit capacity are ready from day one. Adding these later is straightforward when the infrastructure is already in place; it becomes more expensive when it is not.

How Upvolt Supports New Build and Self-Build Solar Projects

Working with a specialist installer at the design stage, rather than after the build is complete, is what separates a well-integrated solar system from one that has been adapted around an existing structure. Upvolt works with self-builders and developers to specify the right system size, panel placement, battery provision, and EV infrastructure before construction begins, so nothing needs to be retrofitted later.

System Design Before the Build Starts

Upvolt advises on roof orientation, array sizing, inverter selection, and cable route planning before a single panel is ordered. That early-stage input means the installation is integrated into the build rather than added to it, which reduces cost and produces better long-term performance.

Installation by MCS-Certified Operating Companies

Installation is carried out by Upvolt’s MCS-certified operating companies. MCS certification is the standard required for SEG eligibility, ensuring that homeowners can register for export payments from the day the system is commissioned.

Skygate® Integration for Whole-Home Energy Management

Skygate®, Upvolt’s proprietary home energy management system (HEMS), can be provisioned at build stage, integrating solar, battery storage, EV charging, and heat pump control into a single platform from the moment the home is occupied. Integrating Skygate® during construction is simpler and less expensive than retrofitting it into a finished home.

Let’s Recap

The UK government has announced that solar will be required on the vast majority of new build homes in England. As of mid-2026 the requirement is not yet law, but the case for planning solar into new construction is well-established independently of any regulatory mandate.

Developer-specified solar is not always optimal. A system sized across a large development may cover less of your usage than expected, particularly if your consumption peaks in the morning and evening. Reviewing the specification against your actual usage is the most important step for any buyer receiving developer-fitted solar.

Self-builders have the strongest opportunity. Controlling the roof design, electrical infrastructure, and energy management system from the outset produces a system built around your household rather than adapted to fit it. Engaging an MCS-certified installer at design stage is the single decision that most consistently separates well-performing installations from underperforming ones.

About Upvolt

Upvolt is a renewable energy installer specialising in solar design and installation for self-builds, new construction projects, and existing homes across southern England. Where many installers work exclusively on retrofit, Upvolt’s capability extends to the design stage, advising on system specification, roof orientation, and infrastructure planning before construction begins.

Upvolt designs and installs solar systems integrated with battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and Skygate® home energy management, so that homeowners are not left adding components piecemeal after occupation. Installation is carried out by Upvolt’s MCS-certified operating companies, which is the standard required for Smart Export Guarantee eligibility.

Whether you’re self-building, buying a new home with solar already fitted, or planning new construction, Upvolt can assess what the right system looks like for your specific project; before any decisions are locked in. Discuss your new build solar project.

FAQ

Are New Build Homes in England Legally Required to Have Solar Panels?

As of mid-2026, solar panels are not a legal requirement on new build homes in England. Ed Miliband announced in June 2025 that regulations requiring solar on the vast majority of new builds would be published that year, but those regulations had not come into force at the time of writing. Until the rules are enacted, the requirement is a policy intention rather than a binding obligation. Check gov.uk for the current status.

Is Solar Built Into a New Home Better Than Having It Installed Later?

Generally, yes. When solar is installed during construction, the cable routes, consumer unit capacity, and roof access are all addressed as part of the broader build, which reduces cost and produces a cleaner result. On a retrofit, each of those elements must be addressed separately and at additional expense. The financial advantage varies by system size and build complexity, but it applies across most cases.

What Should I Check If My New Build Already Has Solar Panels Fitted by the Developer?

The most important checks are total system capacity in kWp, inverter specification, whether battery storage is included or provisioned for, and whether the installer holds MCS certification. MCS certification is required for SEG eligibility. A low-capacity system on a high-usage household may cover less of your bills than you expect, and an independent assessment against your actual consumption will confirm whether the specification is adequate.

Do Solar Panels on a New Build Affect How Easy It Is to Sell the Property?

For owned systems, the evidence points toward a neutral-to-positive effect on resale value. The concern about solar making properties harder to sell has historically arisen from older leased systems on existing homes, not from new-build solar, which is almost always owned outright. A stronger EPC rating is the most consistent benefit and carries increasing relevance to mortgage availability.

Can I Add Battery Storage or an EV Charger to a New Build With Solar Already Installed?

Battery storage and EV charging can be added after occupation, and the process is more straightforward when cable routes and consumer unit capacity were provisioned during construction. Developer-specified systems do not always include that provision. An MCS-certified installer can assess the existing installation and identify the most practical route to adding storage or EV charging. Engaging at the design stage, if you are self-building, produces the lowest-cost and cleanest outcome.

Alex Lomax

CEO & Co-Founder

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