So, you’ve just built your new home. Or you’re about to start. As energy costs continue to rise and the impact of fossil fuels on the environment becomes increasingly evident, more homeowners are turning to renewable energy solutions. Whether you’re in the early stages of construction or planning your future home, this article will help you understand solar for your newly-built home.
Benefits of installing solar panels on new builds
By now it’s no secret that UK buildings are facing more and more regulations to reduce their carbon emissions. But before we delve into these, let’s recap why investing in solar for your newly-built home is beneficial:
1. Increase Your Property Value. Solar panels are one of the most effective ways to improve your EPC rating and make your property more energy efficient. This makes it far more attractive to potential buyers, as they will benefit from much cheaper energy bills. Installing solar panels can increase your home’s value by about 4%! Plus, this could be more depending on how old your panels are at the time of selling.
2. Meet Requirements. Since 2021, all new UK homes are expected to achieve a 31% reduction in carbon emissions. Solar panels are one of the best ways to meet this requirement and ensure your newly built home includes energy saving measures.
3. Enjoy Cheaper Home Energy. Building a new home comes with all kinds of expenses, so making savings wherever possible goes a long way. An average-sized house with a 4kW solar panel system would save approximately £270 on electricity bills each year.
Costs to consider
New builds offer a great opportunity to cut your carbon emissions and costs from the get-go. Plus, the cost of solar installation is often significantly cheaper on new-builds, as there is no need to take out the existing system.
The cost of installation is often the biggest preventing factor for people considering solar panels. A typical 4kW solar panel system, including installation, costs £5,000 – £6,000. Whilst this is a significant investment, solar panels have a lifespan of over 25 years.
Another cost to consider is if you would like battery storage alongside your solar panels. With battery storage, you can save the energy your solar panels generate to use when the sun isn’t shining. This means you can significantly reduce your dependence on the Grid, and even become self-sufficient! However, if you do want to invest you can expect the total installation of solar panels and battery storage to be approximately £17,000-£19,000.
Watch the video on how much solar panels cost
Other considerations
When looking into solar panel installations for your new-build, there’s more to consider than just costs. This includes regulations and placement of your solar panels.
A typical solar panel will save over 900kg of CO2 per year. How much you reduce your carbon emissions will depend on how many solar panels you install, as well as how much direct sunlight they face. In the UK, solar panels are most effective when they are south-facing.
Another element you will need to consider about your newly-built property is if it meets the standard requirements. These requirements include a variety of measures that are designed to ensure your house is energy-efficient, including minimising gaps in insulation to prevent heat loss and addressing problems such as damp and mould.
For most properties, solar panels will fit under your permitted development rights. However, for listed buildings, conservation areas and national parks, it’s best to check with your Local Authority, just in case.
Get free solar panels in the UK
You can get completely free solar, insulation, and an air source heat pump if you qualify for the government-backed ECO4 scheme. These home improvements are worth up to £75,000, and save the average household £400 per year according to government figures.
With Energy Advice Helpline, we’ll check if you qualify and only conduct ECO4 installations with one of our high-quality installers. Click the button above to see if you qualify in as little as 30 seconds!
