UK Energy Secretary Plans Solar Panels on Majority of New Homes by 2027

The UK government, led by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, plans to mandate solar panel installation on the vast majority of new homes in England, with regulations expected to be published later this year as part of the Future Homes Standard aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. This move, supported by the Home Builders Federation with caution about potential bureaucratic burdens, is projected to save households around £500 annually on energy bills and includes exemptions for buildings with shading issues. Local initiatives, such as the Peterborough Local Plan, are also aligning with this national push by requiring new homes to have solar panels covering at least 40% of their ground floor area and banning fossil fuel use, though concerns about increased costs have been raised by local officials. Meanwhile, advancements in solar technology, like the new velvet-like coated panels developed by a German company, promise to increase efficiency by up to 10%, reduce glare, and lower maintenance while extending panel lifespan, potentially transforming solar energy adoption in residential and public spaces. In the US, large-scale solar projects, including one of the largest photovoltaic plants in California, underscore a growing commitment to renewable energy despite past challenges related to costs and efficiency, highlighting a global trend towards cleaner energy sources. These developments collectively indicate a significant shift towards integrating solar energy into new housing and infrastructure to meet environmental goals and energy cost savings.