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Government ministers have rejected a new bill that would mandate all new build homes to have a solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed.
Dubbed the “Sunshine Bill”, the proposed law was put forward by the Liberal Democrats’ Max Wilkinson, MP for Cheltenham, who said making solar panels compulsory could help the country tackle the “twin crisis” of rising living costs and climate change.
If approved, it would've required all new homes to have an area the equivalent of at least 40% of its ground floor covered by solar panels.
Radical Action Needed
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Wilkinson said the new law could result in "a future in which people have lower household bills, a future in which we are less reliant on dirty and expensive fossil fuels often imported from abroad, a future in which this country's energy supplies are more secure."
He also discussed the recent rise in the energy price cap and its impact on families, with what he described as a “shocking” increase in the use of food banks.
But despite Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook saying the government was "extremely sympathetic" towards the idea, it was nethertheless rejected.
The Minister said the move could have a negative impact on housing supply and the construction industry, at a time when the government is trying to ease pressure on the market.
However, while this particular bill has been rejected, it’s not all bad news for the solar industry as the MP said renewable energy will feature heavily in the UK’s plans moving forward.
"The new standards we will introduce will ensure that all new homes are future-proofed with low-carbon, heating and very high quality fabric," he said. "[These] will reduce bills, tackle fuel poverty, grow skills, foster diverse job markets and make Britain energy secure.
"Solar energy will have an extremely important role to play in them."
Adding Your Own PV System
Although the government has stopped this latest bill in its tracks, if you’re a homeowner who’s attracted to the idea of clean, cheap energy, then there’s nothing stopping you adding solar panels to your property.
There are different approaches to home solar installations – while some prefer to go all out with a comprehensive system that’ll provide a good chunk of their household’s energy needs, others prefer to opt for a basic system with just a couple of panels and an inverter.
Before you decide on your system, first consider your energy needs and goals. If you live alone or your home has fewer devices than the average household, you may be content with a basic setup.
On the flip side, if you have a large family and you’re looking to generate plenty of solar power then you’ll need additional components.
Basic Setup
If you’re just looking to offset some of your home’s energy needs, you can get away with a limited setup. While these systems won’t generate as much power, with fewer components, they’ll cost less upfront. They’re also easier to install so it’ll cost less to get them up and running.
If your budget is limited, you could get away with as little as 3 solar panels. While this is unlikely to provide most of your energy, it should still make a noticeable difference to your bills.
You’ll also need an inverter, a crucial component of any solar PV system that’s responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity. Without an inverter, the energy produced by your solar panels wouldn’t be compatible with your home’s electrical system.
Advanced Setup
Alternatively, if you have a slightly bigger budget and you want your PV system to provide a decent proportion of your household’s power then you’ll want more panels and some additional components.
For the panels, 5 – 8 should be enough. This will generate plenty of power, meaning your household’s reliance on the grid is notably reduced.
On top of this, you’ll also need some additional components in your PV system. These include a battery storage system to store power that’s not in use, and a solar battery inverter, which manages the flow of energy between the solar panels, battery and your home.
So if you’re keen to join the renewable revolution, these are the main components you’ll need. Luckily, we stock everything mentioned in this post, so anyone looking to buy solar panels, inverters or battery storage units has come to the right place!
If you have any questions about domestic PV systems or you’re unsure about anything, get in touch with us and we'll be delighted to help!
