Tag: Solar Panels

What a wasted opportunity! Thousands of new houses are being built in South Wealden without enough solar panels. Very similar in Eastbourne where apart from small schemes, houses are being built with either no or inadequate solar. This being the sunniest place in the UK!

Background

The price of solar panels ( Photovoltaic PV) keeps dropping dramatically . So why do local councils not influence builders in making the most of this clean energy?

It would make sense to reduce electricity grid demand by ensuring that all our newly built homes have enough solar panels. This does not appear to be happening. Where they are included, there can be as few as 2 panels and no battery. This would provide up to 1kW. This is barely enough to run a toaster.

Eastbourne’s previous MP, Caroline Ansell, in 2022 backed a bill, to make solar panels mandatory on new homes. “Solar costs have fallen by 50 per cent in the last seven years and I believe it is now the right time to ensure developers put this technology on all new homes. This is a win for homeowners and the planet. Installing solar is green and it will cut energy costs for people when gas and electricity prices are high and will remain so for some time.”

Sunsave says “The benefit of legally mandated solar panels on new builds in the UK would be enormous, and it seems to be on the horizon. However, until that time, it’s crucial that developers refrain from putting a pointlessly small number of solar panels on the roofs of new properties, as this only causes headaches for homeowners further down the line. “

Locally

Some developers are doing well and some not. Here is an example in Hindsland (Polegate) . There will be 180 houses, where each unit, has around 2 solar panels. Next to it will be Mornings Mill with 800 units. Let us hope this will do better.

In the main picture is an estate in Hellingly. These houses have 4 to 6 panels. However on the other side of the road is a huge estate with next to none.

Building Regulations

So solar panels aren’t compulsory on new builds. They have become a common way for developers to meet certain building regulations. Many builders choose to install them in order to meet the required SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) score for energy efficiency.

By incorporating solar panels in the roof, developers enhance the property’s energy performance and raise their SAP score. This score is a calculation of its energy cost performance and renewable energy sources. Each building’s SAP score is then used in its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

SAP scores are on a scale of 1 to 100+ with higher scores indicating better energy efficiency and less environmental impact. A score of over 100 would mean that the property’s net cost of energy over the year is nil, perhaps due to exporting back to the grid.

According to the UK Government’s most recent survey, the average SAP rating was less than 70 points. So how do developers get a higher score?

• • • Walls, roofs, and floors are well-insulated
    • High-efficiency boilers or heat pump
    • Solar panels
    • Using double/ triple-glazed windows LED lighting
    • Mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR)
    • Less heat loss by design & construction
    • Smart thermostats & heating controls

So solar panels are just one way to increase the score. But adding only 2 panels can have negative effects. One common problem is that developers don’t use all the available roof space. The property gets a higher SAP score but with only a few panels the actual impact on energy bills is negligible.

This can then create challenges if the homeowner decides to expand their solar panel system. Sometimes the original panels might be sunk into the roof and will need to be removed, to allow for a larger system, which adds to the total cost.

Often the developers will provide an EV charger, for each house, but this will need to use the national grid . What a waste ! When more panels and batteries could result in free power. The idea of ‘National Grid 2.0’ allows for electric cars with solar panels and a battery, to export excess energy and provide enough household energy for up to a week.

Conclusion

Many developers appear to be installing as few solar panels as possible. This will not support net zero.  There should be a minimum number. Perhaps  4 panels  in a ‘standard house’ with even  more in larger ones.

Paul Humphreys – EEAN Transport Group