CPRE welcomes rooftop solar plans for new homes

CPRE has welcomed the government’s latest announcement on solar energy, including new rules requiring solar panels on new homes.

The new measures signal a stronger commitment to integrating renewable energy into new homes, including making solar panels standard and helping renters and homeowners alike benefit from solar power with plug-in solar. We have long called for a greater focus on rooftop solar as a way to transition to cleaner energy without increasing the pressures on rural landscapes.

Elli Moody, director of policy and advocacy at CPRE, said:

‘This announcement shows that the government is serious about harnessing the enormous potential of the UK’s rooftops to generate clean, sustainable energy. Mandating solar panels on new homes and making solar more accessible to renters as well as homeowners will deliver meaningful climate action without placing further pressure on iconic landscapes and productive farmland.’

By prioritising solar on buildings, the government can help reduce the need for large-scale solar developments on our landscapes. We will continue to advocate for solutions that tackle climate change while safeguarding the countryside.