The UK government have updated the Building Regulations following a recent consultation related to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards. These standards ensure that new buildings will be zero carbon in use when the electricity grid is fully decarbonised, without needing any retrofitting.
Reducing the energy demand also results in lower energy bills, increased energy security, and lower costs related to grid infrastructure upgrades.
Going forward, new homes will be built to be highly energy efficient and include a means of generating renewable electricity (such as solar panels), an air source heat pump, a wastewater heat recovery system, and a decentralised mechanical extract ventilation system.
The consultation revealed strong support for solar panels on roofs as that would mean fewer solar panels elsewhere. To enable more households to benefit from their own solar panels, the government is also working with retailers, manufacturers, and the energy industry to make plug-in solar panels available in UK shops. These panels can be placed on balconies and in other outdoor spaces. They just plug into a mains socket, meaning people can easily install the panels themselves, generating free electricity in the daylight hours without any installation expense.
When does it come into place?
The new regulations come into force on 24 March 2027.
Read more from the source:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-make-plug-in-solar-available-within-months