← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Solar Rooftop Installations
22 March 2023
Lead MP
Caroline Lucas
Brighton, Pavilion
Green
Responding Minister
Graham Stuart
Tags
TaxationClimate
Word Count: 4995
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Caroline Lucas raised concerns about solar rooftop installations in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Ms Lucas calls for the Government to mandate solar panel installations on all suitable new-build homes as part of the future homes standard, without further consultation due to existing public support. She also asks for more joined-up, strategic approaches to address the skills shortage in the industry and how the Government plans to tackle under-representation of women and ethnic minorities.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Ms Caroline Lucas is concerned about the current policy framework that has led to ups and downs in solar rooftop installations. She notes that while there has been a significant increase in installations, more needs to be done to meet the Government's target of increasing solar capacity from around 15 GW currently to 70 GW by 2035. Ms Lucas highlights that approximately two-thirds of existing solar power capacity is ground-based and one-third is on rooftops, with Solar Energy UK estimating this split among residential and commercial roofs. She also mentions a YouGov poll showing 80% public support for mandatory solar panels on suitable new-build homes.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon commended the hon. Lady for raising the issue of solar roof panels, highlighting their potential to enhance property value and reduce costs for large families who use significant amounts of hot water.
John Stevenson
Con
Carlisle
John Stevenson congratulated the hon. Lady on securing the debate, noting that making solar panel installations compulsory could lead to 150,000-plus houses per year getting solar panels and would contribute to price reductions over time. The MP acknowledges the Government's efforts but suggests cross-party consensus on supporting amendments to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, asking the Minister if he would reconsider the current position given widespread support across parties.
Jonathan Reynolds
Lab/Co-op
Stalybridge and Hyde
The hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde agreed with Ms Lucas's proposal, highlighting the multiple benefits including economic sense, supply chain certainty, and public support as evidenced by a YouGov poll.
Government Response
Graham Stuart
Government Response
Congratulated Caroline Lucas on securing the debate, highlighted the progress made in rooftop solar installations, mentioning 138,000 installations last year. Emphasised the need for further deployment to meet net zero pledges, discussed fiscal incentives such as VAT removal and tax relief, introduced a new permitted development right for solar canopies, outlined steps to reduce connection costs, acknowledged the importance of skills training in green jobs, suggested meeting Caroline Lucas to discuss policy matters further.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.