Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to encourage the fitting of solar panels where appropriate to private sector new-build homes.

The regulations and national planning policy encourage the use of renewables without mandating any particular technology.

The energy performance requirements in the regulations do not prescribe the technologies, materials or fuels to be used, allowing builders the flexibility to innovate and select the most practical and cost-effective solutions in particular circumstances. These solutions could include solar panels, but they may not be appropriate for some types of buildings or locations.

The National Planning Policy Framework expects local planning authorities to have a positive strategy in place to promote energy from renewable and low carbon sources. The strategy should identify opportunities where development can draw its energy supply from renewable or low carbon energy supply systems. Authorities should also have policies in place to ensure that any adverse impacts, including cumulative impacts, from renewable energy developments are addressed satisfactorily.