Ministers may drop mandatory solar panel rules for new homes

The government is considering making solar panels optional on new homes in England, after pressure from housebuilders, in a move that would weaken low-carbon regulations, the Guardian has learned.

- Fiona Harvey

Ministers are preparing to publish long-delayed regulations for new homes, known as the future homes standard, which would ensure that all newly built homes are low-carbon.

These rules should, according to experts and campaigners, include requirements that homes are not connected to the gas grid, are insulated to a high standard and can generate renewable energy.

Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, promised a "rooftop revolution" in solar power soon after the election.

Putting solar panels on new homes as standard is popular with about 80% of voters, according to polling.

But instead of requiring housebuilders to equip new homes with an adequate number of solar panels, which campaigners and clean energy experts were hoping for, current plans for the future homes standard are only to "encourage" builders to equip homes with some solar panels "where appropriate".