Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Solar Rooftop Installations

22 March 2023 · 3 other contributors · 4,995 words

Opened by Caroline Lucas Green Brighton, Pavilion

Responding minister: Graham Stuart

ClimateEnergyEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Caroline Lucas raised concerns about solar rooftop installations in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Ms Caroline Lucas raised concerns about the current policy framework affecting solar rooftop installations in the UK.
  • Ms Lucas highlighted that public support for mandatory solar panels on suitable new-build homes is at 80% according to a YouGov poll.
  • The Minister acknowledged the need for further deployment of solar installations to meet net zero pledges and introduced new permitted development rights for solar canopies.

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.

Opened the debate

Caroline Lucas Green Brighton, Pavilion

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.

Other contributors (3)
  • 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

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.

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