The Rooftop Revolution: Supporting the new solar-friendly Future Homes Standard
As the owner of the UK’s largest residential solar installer, E.ON UK is in a unique position to help the Government meet its renewable goals for new housing.
On June 10th, a day before official announcements for the Government’s spending review, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled plans for a £39 billion boost to housing – representing the most significant investment in affordable homes in a generation.
The money will support the housing sector and government targets for building 1.5 million new homes by providing grants to local authorities, private developers, and housing associations over the next ten years.
Paired with the recent confirmation from Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband that the Future Homes Standard will include a requirement for almost all new-build houses to have solar panels installed during construction, this means there will be plenty of solar-equipped new homes in the years to come – and E.ON UK is in a unique position to help deliver this transition.
Building a rooftop revolution with Eco2Solar
As a leading energy supplier with a strong commitment both to net zero and our customers, we want to help make new energy work for everyone, and one important way of doing that is by ensuring new, affordable housing comes equipped to help people save energy and take control of their bills.
That’s why, in 2020, we acquired 49% of the UK’s largest residential solar installation company, Eco2Solar, and earlier this year we were delighted to acquire the whole company and welcome them to the E.ON family.
Eco2Solar work with some of the country’s largest property developers including Barratt Redrow, Taylor Wimpey, Wain Homes, Keepmoat, and Persimmon. They’ve put solar panels on roughly 50,000 UK rooftops in the 18 years since the company was founded, and as a part of E.ON will receive all the support and expertise of a leading energy supplier to turbo-charge their efforts in the years to come.
Making a success of the energy transition won't only be a case of building new renewable assets like solar and wind farms. It will require us to make changes to our cities, businesses, communities organisations, public services, and homes.
Fortunately, these changes often come with significant advantages in the form of lower bills, greater energy independence, and even revenue and community benefits from exporting locally generated electricity.
By announcing billions of pounds for housing alongside rules that will make solar standard for new homes across the country, the Government has paved the way for a rooftop revolution in the UK, and through our work with Eco2Solar, we’re here to help make it happen.
Find out more about Eco2Solar here.