M&E Contrax Resources

Solar Panels for New Builds

Resource Highlights:

Building Regulations Part L, which came into force for new homes in England in June 2022, requires that new dwellings meet a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared with the previous standard. Solar panels are not mandatory by name, but they are one of the most common ways developers meet the required performance targets.

Solar panels fitted at build stage are significantly cheaper and neater than retrofitting them later. The wiring routes, roof penetrations, and consumer unit connections are all easier to integrate during construction.

Self-build homeowners can access the Smart Export Guarantee and, where relevant, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme from the point the property is commissioned and the MCS certificate is issued.

Battery storage added at the same time as solar is almost always more cost-efficient than adding it later, because the inverter, consumer unit connections, and cable routes are shared.

How to plan solar PV for new homes, developers, and self builds

Solar panels are one of the easiest ways to improve the long term efficiency of a new build home. The biggest advantage of installing solar at the build stage is that the system can be planned properly, roof layout, cable routes, inverter location, and future upgrades can all be considered before anything is finished.

This guide explains how solar works on new builds, what to plan early, and how to get a system that is tidy, compliant, and designed to perform from day one.

Plan solar early in the build

The best solar installs happen when PV is considered during design, not as an afterthought.

Early planning allows:

better panel layout and symmetry

sensible roof penetrations and fixings

hidden cable routes

a clean location for inverter and battery equipment

fewer compromises on performance and aesthetics

If you are a developer or self builder, it is worth discussing solar before roof covering and first fix electrics are completed.

Roof design and panel layout

Roof space is one thing, but usable, high performing roof space is what matters.

A solar design for a new build should consider:

roof orientation and pitch

any shading from neighbouring plots, trees, dormers, or chimneys

avoiding small awkward roof sections that limit layout

keeping arrays tidy and symmetrical

leaving access routes where required

New builds often benefit from roof layouts that are naturally solar friendly, especially if PV is considered during design stage.

Electrical planning and cable routes

One of the main benefits of installing solar on a new build is being able to plan cabling properly.

A good design will confirm:

inverter location with access and ventilation

battery placement if included or planned

meter position and isolation switches

tidy cable routes that avoid visible trunking

consumer unit capacity and correct protection

For developers, aligning solar planning with electrical first fix usually results in a cleaner finish and fewer adjustments later.

Inverter choice and battery readiness

Even if you are not installing a battery now, it is often sensible to design the system so storage can be added later.

This may include:

selecting a hybrid inverter or battery ready setup

ensuring space and ventilation for future battery installation

considering future loads such as EV charging or heat pumps

New builds tend to evolve, people add EVs, home offices, air conditioning, or electrified heating. A flexible design protects long term value.

Solar and EV charging on new builds

EV charging and solar often work well together, especially when:

charging can happen during daylight hours

smart controls schedule charging to match generation

a battery is added later to increase self consumption

If EV charging is part of the build, planning the whole system together helps avoid oversizing or under sizing and keeps the installation neat.

Compliance, commissioning, and handover

For a new build, solar PV should be delivered with clear documentation and handover, especially if the home will be sold or handed over to occupants.

You should receive:

commissioning and certification relevant to the install

monitoring setup and app access

system basics and guidance on seasonal performance

warranty information for panels, inverter, and battery if included

A clean handover pack helps the end user understand the system and protect performance over time.

Developer considerations for new build solar

For developers building multiple properties, the MCS framework for new build solar requires that each installation is individually registered and certified. There is no bulk or development-wide exemption from the individual MCS certification requirement.

The planning application for a new development may specify solar panels as a condition of consent, particularly where the local authority has adopted policies requiring renewable energy provision as part of planning obligations. In these cases, the system specification included in the planning documents becomes a requirement rather than an option.

For larger developments, working with a single MCS-accredited installer for the full site reduces coordination overhead and ensures consistent certification documentation across the project.

Simple way to plan solar on a new build

If you want the simplest approach, follow this order:

Decide your goals, bill reduction, future battery, EV charging, long term efficiency

Confirm roof orientation, usable space, and preferred layout

Plan inverter and battery location early

Integrate cable routes into first fix electrics

Choose a battery ready design if upgrades are likely

Ensure monitoring and documentation are included for handover

This avoids the most common new build solar issues, rushed routing, poor inverter placement, and last minute compromises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not by name. Part L of the Building Regulations requires a 31 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared with the 2013 standard. Solar panels are the most common way developers meet this requirement, but other approaches can be used. From the Future Homes Standard, expected to be implemented from 2025 onwards, solar will effectively become essential for most new build specifications.

Yes. Retrofitting solar to a completed new build is entirely possible and is the same process as for any other property. The practical and cost advantages of installing during construction are lost, but the long-term financial benefits of solar are the same regardless of when it is installed.

Yes. Any property with a solar installation completed by an MCS-accredited installer can register for the Smart Export Guarantee. New builds are not excluded. The registration process is the same as for any other installation.

Most standard rooftop solar installations on new builds fall under permitted development and do not require a separate planning application. However, if solar was not included in the original planning consent and the property is in a conservation area or is listed, the position may be different. We check the planning position for every property at the survey stage.

Yes. Many systems can be designed so a battery can be added later, often by choosing a suitable inverter setup and planning space for equipment.

They can be designed to look tidy and intentional, especially when planned into the roof layout from the start.

Often yes. New builds can be highly suitable for solar because of modern electrics, planned layouts, and growing electricity demand from EVs and modern living.