• New UK homes to save over £440 a year on energy bills.
• The proposal guarantees energy security and supports the UK's net-zero objectives.

The Labour government in the UK has announced plans to install solar panels in almost all homes in England by 2027.

The objective is to reduce household energy bills and step up the country's efforts towards net-zero emissions.

The new plan requires builders to set up solar panels on the roofs of new buildings. As a result, around 80% of homes would have solar panels covering 40% of the roof area, 19% would have relatively fewer panels, and only about 1% would have none.

READ MORE: UK Hospitals to Save £8.6M with New Solar Panels

Solar panel installation on new houses would add an extra cost to the price of building a home, ranging from £3,300 for a semi-detached or terraced house to £4,000 for a detached house. However, solar panels could save homeowners more than £440 a year on energy bills, subsequently making homes more energy-efficient and helping people save money in the long run.

Presently, in the UK, only 40% of new homes have solar panels installed on their rooftops, and the government is considering discussions to increase this figure further.

Greenpeace, an environmental group headquartered in the Netherlands, has defined the proposal as a 'common-sense' decision. They say that solar energy, as a renewable energy source, is largely wasted, and the UK government's proposals will reduce energy bills in a country that is now too expensive to live in, as well as reduce carbon emissions.

ALSO READ: UK Govt. Shortlists 27 Green Hydrogen Projects

Political figures from some quarters—for instance, former Prime Minister Tony Blair—said the present government's climate strategy is not overreaching and might not be the best approach to curb carbon emissions. In response, in a counter statement, Keir Starmer, the current Prime Minister, assured that solar panel installations have minimal impact on people's lives but play a constructive role in achieving net zero targets and guaranteeing energy security.

Ends/

Are you looking to expand your sustainable operations with the help of industry experts? Discover an extensive network of ESG and sustainability providers here, offering a wide choice of green services.

Follow KnowESG's Social and Governance News for regular news and views.

Check out our latest ESG Online Course updates

Source: Independent