Recently, the government has been making steps to make newly built homes in England more green, mandating that from 2022, all new developments must have electric car charging points available. But what does this mean for the future of new developments, why are solar panels being considered and why should you start investing in solar before it’s too late.
What are the government’s plans?
On its mission to make the UK net zero by 2050, the government are adopting new ways to make the country more energy efficient, with EV chargers, air source heat pumps and solar panels, providing grants to make these more accessible for homeowners and renters. Currently, all solar panel installations have 0% VAT, the Air Source Heat Pump grant reduces the price by £7,500 and the EV charger grant supports renters and business owners. In the long term, it is likely the government will mandate that all new builds have solar panels.
How will this impact homeowners?
New builds purchased before the regulation is enforced will not benefit from the offer, but there is an opportunity to retrofit homes with solar panels so savings can still be made. While this new rule currently isn’t in place, some property developers are already adding solar panels to new properties, so homeowners can generate renewable energy. When looking at newly built homes, speak to the developer to see if this could be added to the house. Installing solar panels on new builds is beneficial for first time buyers and people who want to start using renewable energy, as systems are more accessible.
You may need to consider sourcing a solar panel installer, such as Aspecte, to upgrade your system with more panels or adding battery storage to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Our team provides unbiased advice based on your requirements.
Can solar panels be retrofitted to new builds?
If your new build house has solar panels, installed by the property developer, additional panels can be retrofitted to the system but there are considerations to this.
Firstly, depending on how the initial panels were installed, the installer may need to remove them before starting the new installation to maximise your roof space, which can increase the costs and timeline of the project. During the consultation process, the installer will discuss your options, and outline which is most suitable for your energy requirements and roof.
Secondly, to follow best practices for solar installations, the same brand of panels should be sourced and installed. If the existing solar panels have less voltage than the new panels sourced, the system will be less efficient and you could lose valuable energy. Sourcing the same panels could be a costly and timely process, so in some cases, it may be simpler to purchase new solar panels for the roof. However, solar panels can be mixed if you are not concerned about matching the styles of panels or voltage of the system.
Finally, you should consider the additional energy requirements for your solar PV panels system. If you are looking for long term savings with the solar panels, adding battery storage can reduce your energy bills since the excess solar power can be stored for use at night and in power outages. Solar panels on their own can be used to power your home, but the energy has to be used after it is generated otherwise it will be wasted.
Why should you act now?
There has never been a better time to incorporate solar panels into your home to reduce your electricity bills. With or without additional storage, solar panels generate energy that can power your home without having to constantly rely on the national grid, so you can reduce your carbon footprint. As the popularity of solar systems soars, particularly if the government enforce solar panel installations on new build properties, it is likely the prices will increase as resources become in demand.
If you aren’t ready to increase the number of solar panels on your roof, why not consider retrofitting battery storage to your existing system. If you don’t use all the power produced by the solar panels, the battery can store electricity until you need to use it, which can reduce your energy bills. If you don’t have solar panels, you can still benefit from battery storage, by negotiating reduced overnight rates with your energy supplier. Overnight, you can charge the battery using the reduced tariffs and use the energy throughout the day, which can reduce your bills.
How can Aspecte help?
No matter the type of home, we offer impartial sound advice about solar panels Norfolk, battery system, air source heat pump or EV chargers, to help you save money on your bills. Contact our team today to arrange a free no-obligation quote and start your renewable energy journey today.
