Three‑quarters of housebuyers say they are more likely to buy a newbuild house fitted with solar panels than one without, according to new research by E.ON UK.
The nationally representative survey of 2,500 adults also found widespread support for solar panels to become a requirement for all newly built houses. More than two-thirds (68%) back a government mandate for solar panels on all newly built houses, signalling strong consumer demand for renewable power generation.
The findings come ahead of the government’s publication of the new Future Homes Standard (FHS), a major update to building regulations designed to ensure new homes are built to higher energy efficiency standards, with rooftop solar expected to play a significant role.
Modern Eco-Friendly Home with Solar Panels (Image: D. Goug/Pexels)
Solar is Britain’s most wanted low carbon technology
Solar panels were revealed as the clean energy solution people most want to see on newly built houses – well above other low-carbon technologies:
- Solar panels (72%)
- Heat pumps (41%)
- Electric vehicle charging (41%)
- Battery storage (38%)
Solar panels were also shown to be highly influential at the point of purchase. Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said they would consider paying a small increase in purchase price for a newly built house if it guarantees lower energy bills for the long term.
Similarly, four in five people (80%) said newly built houses that allow them to generate and manage their own energy are appealing, while 85% said that having predictable, fixed electricity costs was important when choosing a home.
Read more: Elemental London
