Regulations · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Solar panels on new build homes: the Future Homes Standard and upkeep
What the Future Homes Standard requires
The government has confirmed that the Future Homes and Buildings Standard will come into force on 24 March 2027, with a transition period before it fully applies to all new homes. It sets higher energy performance requirements for new homes in England, including low-carbon heating such as heat pumps and on-site renewable electricity generation.
Solar panels are expected to be the main way builders meet the generation requirement. Reports of the standard indicate the requirement can be met with panel area equivalent to around 40 percent of a home's ground floor area. Final technical detail sits in the Building Regulations guidance, so check the latest published version for specifics. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own building standards.
Why this matters for homeowners
Many new build buyers will own solar panels for the first time. They will need to understand their inverter, how to read generation, how to arrange export payments and how to keep the panels working. New estates also tend to have panels on similar roofs facing similar directions, so problems like pigeons can spread across a development quickly once birds find suitable gaps.
In-roof and on-roof panels
| Type | What it is | Upkeep notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-roof | Panels mounted on rails above the existing tiles | Gap underneath can attract pigeons, so proofing may be needed |
| In-roof or integrated | Panels set into the roof in place of tiles, flush with the surface | No gap for pigeons, but flashing edges can collect moss and debris |
| Solar tiles or slates | Small generating units that look like roof tiles | Many joints, so follow the manufacturer's care guidance closely |
In-roof systems are popular on new builds because they look neater and do not leave a gap for birds. They are cleaned in the same way as on-roof panels, with purified water and soft brushes, taking care around the flashing.
Snagging checks for solar on a new home
- Ask for the MCS certificate, electrical certificate and product data sheets
- Confirm the panel and inverter makes and warranty start dates
- Check the generation meter is fitted and reading
- Get set up on the monitoring app
- Check there is a labelled isolator for the system
- Look from the ground for chipped glass, missing flashing or loose cables
- Ask how export payments should be arranged
Raise any issues with the developer during the warranty period. New home warranties and the developer's own customer care process usually cover installation defects for the first couple of years, but the terms vary.
Construction dust and the first clean
Panels on new estates often pick up a lot of dust in the first year or two while nearby plots are still being built. Cement dust, mud splashes and scaffolding debris can leave a film that rain does not fully remove. A pure water clean once construction around you has finished is often worthwhile, and gives you a clean starting point to compare future generation against.
Do not try to clean construction dust off yourself with brushes from a ladder. Cement and sand particles are abrasive and can scratch the glass if scrubbed dry. Plenty of purified water and soft brushes, used from the ground, lift the dust without grinding it into the surface.
Setting up export payments on a new home
Most new homes with solar will use the Smart Export Guarantee to get paid for electricity sent to the grid. You choose an export tariff from a licensed supplier, which does not have to be the same company that supplies your electricity, although some of the better rates are only available to their own import customers.
- Make sure a smart meter is fitted and set up to record export
- Have your MCS certificate ready, as suppliers usually ask for it
- Compare fixed and variable export rates, which can range from a few pence to around 15p per kWh
- Check whether a battery or EV tariff changes which export deals you can get
Without an export tariff, any electricity your home does not use goes to the grid unpaid, so it is worth setting this up soon after moving in.
Long-term care for new build panels
- Check generation monthly and keep a simple log
- Watch for pigeons on on-roof systems and act early
- Book a clean every one to two years, or when you can see fouling
- Ask for a visual check during each clean
- Arrange periodic electrical inspections with a qualified installer
Shared ownership, leasehold and estate management arrangements may affect who looks after roofs and panels on some developments, so check your documents before booking work.
Frequently asked questions
Will all new homes have solar panels from 2027?
The Future Homes and Buildings Standard comes into force in England on 24 March 2027, with a transition period. It is expected to require on-site renewable generation on most new homes, which builders will usually meet with solar panels. Homes already under construction or with approved plans may fall under the older rules during the transition.
Do in-roof solar panels need cleaning?
Yes, occasionally, in the same way as on-roof panels. They are cleaned with purified water and soft brushes from the ground where possible. Because they sit flush with the roof, there is no gap underneath for pigeons, but moss and debris can collect along the flashing around the edges and may need gentle clearing.
Who do I contact if the solar panels on my new home stop working?
Start with the developer's customer care team, as the system is likely to be within the developer's defects period in the first years. Have your handover pack, panel and inverter details, and generation records ready. After that period, contact the installer named on the MCS certificate or another MCS-certified installer.
new builds Future Homes Standard in-roof panels 2027
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