Builders forced to put solar panels where sun doesn’t shine

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 16, 2026

Builders are challenging a forthcoming government rule requiring solar panels to cover 40 percent of the ground-floor roof area on new homes, citing impracticality and increased costs. Critics warn this mandate could add up to £8,000 per home and create bureaucratic hurdles, potentially hindering efforts to address both energy targets and housing affordability.

Builders are raising concerns over a new government mandate that requires solar panels to cover 40 percent of the ground-floor area on the roofs of new homes, even when such installations may be impractical due to limited sunlight exposure. The regulation, part of the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s Future Homes Standard, aims to ensure that newly constructed houses produce 75 percent less carbon emissions than existing properties. It is set to take effect from March 2028 and applies to buildings under 18 meters in height.

Industry executives argue that the blanket solar panel coverage rule could lead to inefficient and costly outcomes. A senior figure from a major housebuilding company described the mandate as a “waste of money,” noting that many homeowners might purchase properties with panels that generate little meaningful energy because they are placed on shaded or poorly oriented sections of roofs. Previously, developers would optimize solar panel placement across entire developments to maximize energy generation rather than mandating a fixed proportion on every individual home.

The executive also highlighted the financial implications, estimating that integrating the mandated solar panels could add as much as £8,000 to the cost of each new home. Even if a roof’s orientation or shading makes it impossible to meet the 40 percent requirement, builders are still expected to install a “reasonable amount” of panels. This has raised questions about how exemptions will be handled and concerns that the process for requesting reduced coverage on a case-by-case basis could create bureaucratic delays and increased costs, potentially burdening local planning authorities.

Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation, criticized the government for disregarding the practical challenges related to the policy. He emphasized that many homes inherently cannot achieve the 40 percent coverage due to design or orientation constraints and called for a clear process to negotiate lower solar panel requirements in such cases.

The dispute reflects ongoing tensions between the government’s ambition to meet net-zero carbon targets and the housing sector’s efforts to manage soaring construction costs amid a nationwide shortage of affordable homes. Developers warn that mandates like these could exacerbate financial pressures and regulatory complexities, complicating efforts to increase housing supply.

The government has been approached for comment but has not yet responded.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.