England Mandates Heat Pumps and Solar for New Homes by 2028
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- Ed Miliband's government published updated planning guidance requiring all new English homes from 2028 to be off the gas network and fitted with solar panels covering 40% of ground floor space, with the Energy Secretary citing the Iran war to argue clean power is 'essential' for energy security.
- The mandate is estimated to add £10,000 to developer build costs per home, though the government says long-term energy bills will fall; the government opted not to mandate batteries.
- The Home Builders Federation warned that 60% of homes cannot physically meet the 40% solar coverage requirement, raising fears of construction bottlenecks — exemptions exist where roof space is insufficient.
- Scotland banned gas and oil heating in new builds two years ago, requiring 'climate-friendly' alternatives such as heat pumps, wood burners, or district heating.
- The government is partnering with Amazon and Lidl to bring plug-in balcony solar panels to UK high streets, currently blocked by safety regulations despite success in Germany where over 1.5m homes use them.
- Energy Minister Michael Shanks rejected Conservative and Reform calls for new North Sea oil and gas licences, saying 'our long term future doesn't lie in fossil fuels.'
Why it matters: Builders face a £10,000-per-home cost increase and the Home Builders Federation warns 60% of plots can't physically meet the 40% solar mandate — threatening bottlenecks just as the government races to hit its 1.5 million homes target by 2029. Homebuyers from 2028 onward gain lower long-term energy bills but lose gas as a heating option, while a battery mandate was notably left out despite industry lobbying.
