New homes will have to be built with solar panels by default, the government has said.

With the Future Homes Standard to be published this autumn, ministers have confirmed that solar panels will be included, “leading to installation on the vast majority of new build homes”.

According to the government, a typical existing UK home could save around £530 a year by installing rooftop solar, based on the current energy price cap.

Under proposed changes, new homes will also have low-carbon heating, such as heat pumps and high levels of energy efficiency.

To deliver these aims, the proposed Future Homes Standard would see building regulations amended to explicitly promote solar for the first time, subject to practical limits with flexibility in place for new homes surrounded by trees or with lots of shade overhead, the government says.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “Solar panels can save people hundreds of pounds off their energy bills, so it is just common sense for new homes to have them fitted as standard.

“So many people just don’t understand why this doesn’t already happen. With our plans, it will.

“Today marks a monumental step in unleashing this rooftop revolution as part of our Plan for Change, and means new homeowners will get lower bills with clean home-grown power.”

After legislation came into force last week, more homeowners will now be able to install a heat pump within one metre of their property’s boundary without having to submit a planning application.

With figures from energy provider Octopus showing that 34% of those who order a heat pump are discouraged or drop out for reasons attributed to the need to submit a planning application, this change will help families who may have less space outside their home make the upgrade to clean power, the government has claimed.

The first quarter of 2025 saw a record number of applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, up 73% from the same quarter in 2024.

The scheme provides households with up to £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump, which, according to the government, can save families around £100 a year by using a smart tariff effectively.

Housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook said: “As part of the government’s Plan for Change to build 1.5 million homes, we are maximising the use of renewable energy to cut people’s bills and power their homes.

“The Future Homes Standard will ensure new homes are modern and efficient with low-carbon heating, while our common-sense planning changes will now make it easier and cheaper for people to use heat pumps and switch to EVs so they can play their part in bolstering our nation’s energy security.”

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive, Solar Energy UK, said: “The solar industry is very glad to hear that almost all new homes will be fitted with solar power from under the Future Homes Standard. Making solar panels a functional requirement of the Building Regulations will cut energy bills, lower carbon emissions, help drive polluting natural gas off the grid and improve our nation’s energy security, too.”

Aadil Qureshi, Co-Founder and CEO, Heat Geek, added: “Installing a heat pump, particularly alongside solar panels is an amazing way for homeowners to save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills and create a more comfortable home. The simplification of planning rules will help millions of homeowners, particularly in normal family homes in towns and cities, take advantage of this technology.”