What the updated planning requirements mean, and what homeowners and developers should do next
The Government has published updated planning requirements that will change how new homes are built in England. The key headline is clear, developers will be required to install solar panels and low carbon heating, such as heat pumps, in new homes, with the intention that new properties will no longer connect to the gas network from 2028.
For the renewables industry, this is a major shift. Solar panels and heat pumps are moving from “optional upgrade” to “expected standard”, and it will affect everyone involved in housing, including developers, buyers, landlords, installers, and supply chains.
As part of the wider push to ramp up solar, the Government also said it wants plug-in solar panels, designed for balconies and small outdoor spaces, to become available through retailers in the coming months. These systems are already used widely in parts of Europe, but the article notes the UK needs updated safety regulations before they can be sold.
In Short
- From 2028, new homes in England are expected to move away from gas connections, using a heat network or a heat pump instead.
- New build homes will also be expected to include rooftop solar panels, with the guidance referencing coverage equivalent to 40% of ground floor area, subject to exemptions where roof design makes this impractical.
- For homeowners, heat pumps may be supported by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in England and Wales, subject to eligibility.
- For developers, solar and heat pumps need to be planned early to avoid last minute compromises, delays, and design bottlenecks.
Why this is happening
The Government’s wider message is that clean power is increasingly tied to energy security and reducing exposure to global fossil fuel markets. The announcement is being positioned as a long term change that gives the market confidence to invest in training, manufacturing, and installation capacity.
From our perspective, this is the right direction of travel, but the real work is in the delivery. Solar and heat pumps only deliver their full benefit when systems are designed properly and installed well.
Lee Bullingham from M&E Contrax Renewables said:
“This is a big moment for the industry. It gives clarity that solar panels and heat pumps are not a niche upgrade anymore, they are the future standard. The winners will be the developers who design for renewables early, rather than trying to bolt them on at the end.”
What the guidance says, and what it means in practice
The article explains that the Future Homes Standard has been in development for years. The newly published guidance indicates that:
From 2028, new homes are expected to be off the gas network, using a heat network or a heat pump.
Solar panels will be required, with the guidance referencing an area equivalent to 40% of the ground floor space.
There are exemptions where roof design does not allow enough space for the required solar coverage.
This matters because the “40% coverage” element is not a minor add on. It pushes solar from “a few panels on some plots” to a design requirement that needs to be planned into every home, roof by roof.
Lee said:
“Solar needs roof space, simple as that. If you design roofs full of dormers, rooflights, vents and awkward hips, you limit what you can achieve. When solar is a requirement, roof design becomes an energy decision, not just an architectural one.”
Why developers are concerned, and how to avoid bottlenecks
The article highlights concerns from developers around the scale of solar required, and the risk that each home will need to be assessed individually, potentially creating process bottlenecks.
From a delivery point of view, the biggest causes of delay on new build renewables are usually:
- solar not being included early enough in roof layout planning
- inverter and cable route planning left too late
- meter cupboard and electrical capacity not considered early
- last minute design changes that shrink usable roof space
- unclear handover responsibilities for solar monitoring and controls
The simple way to avoid the most common new build issues
If you’re a developer, the most effective approach is to plan solar and heat pumps as early as possible:
- Confirm roof orientation, usable roof space, and a solar layout early
- Plan inverter and cylinder locations before first fix electrics
- Integrate cable routes into the build programme
- Keep roof obstructions tidy and intentional
Ensure monitoring and documentation are included for handover
That approach prevents the rushed routing, poor inverter placement, and compromised layouts that cause delays later.
What this means for buyers of new homes
For buyers, this shift is potentially very positive, but it will vary plot by plot.
A new build with solar and a heat pump should offer:
- lower carbon heating
- on site electricity generation
- better readiness for an electric future, such as EV charging
- improved comfort, when the heating system is designed properly
If you’re buying a new build, the best questions to ask are:
- What size solar system is included?
- What inverter is installed, and is it battery ready?
- What monitoring is provided and who supports it?
- If there is a heat pump, what is the system design and handover process?
- Are there any export limits or DNO considerations?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), what support is available for heat pumps?
For existing homes, the biggest question is usually, “What funding is available?”
In England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can support eligible heat pump installations. Eligibility depends on the property and the type of heating upgrade being installed, and the safest way to confirm this is through survey and quote.
👉 Read our full BUS guide here
Lee said:
“The grant helps, but the bigger point is suitability and design. A heat pump will only perform well if the system matches the property. The best outcomes come from proper surveys and honest recommendations, not one size fits all quotes.”
Plug in solar panels, why this is being discussed now
The article also mentions the push to make small plug-in solar panels available for flats and balconies, similar to what is already used widely in Germany.
The potential appeal is clear:
- lower barrier to entry
- no rooftop installation required
- accessible for flats and smaller outdoor spaces
However, the article also highlights safety concerns in the UK due to ageing housing stock and poorly maintained electrical installations. The sensible takeaway is that if plug-in solar becomes available, it should be treated like any electrical product that connects to a home system, it needs to be safe, compliant, and suitable for the property.
Want to learn more? Read Our renewable resources hub
If you’re at the research stage, we have a growing resource hub covering:
- solar panels, performance and roof suitability
- battery storage and maximising self consumption
- heat pumps, system sizing and older home suitability
- air conditioning, air to air heat pumps and comfort upgrades
- DNO approval and export considerations
👉 Browse our Renewable Energy Resources Here
Whether you’re a developer planning new sites, or a homeowner thinking about upgrading an existing property, the direction is clear. Solar and low carbon heating are becoming the standard expectation.
The best results will come from doing it properly, planning early, designing around real performance, and making handover simple for the people living or working in the building.
If you’d like advice on a solar or heat pump installation, our team can assess your property and recommend the right system from the start.
