Three quarters of people support energy companies using expertise for green housebuilding

Households make a significant contribution to the UK’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, with Office for National Statistics data suggesting they account for more than a quarter of emissions on a residency basis. 

We’re working hard to change this by making customers’ homes more energy efficient through upgrades such as insulation, EV chargers, heat pumps, solar panels, and battery storage, but with government targets in place to build 1.5 million new homes we also see a unique opportunity to make sure more of the country’s housing stock is fit for the future, and help make energy costs lower in the process. 

In a nationally representative poll of more than 2,000 people that we recently commissioned from YouGov, we asked respondents whether they think that “all new houses built in the UK should have green technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps installed as standard.” More than three quarters said yes, compared to just 11% who said no. 

We also asked people whether they agree that “It’s good for energy companies with direct experience installing devices such as solar PV and heat pumps to be involved in making sure new build homes are energy efficient.” Again more than three quarters said yes, with only 7% this time taking an opposing view. 

This is welcome news, since it supports E.ON UK’s recent move to put our energy expertise behind green housebuilding efforts by fully acquiring Eco2Solar – a market leader in residential solar installations. 

New energy for new homes with E.ON and Eco2Solar 

Founded in 2007, over the past 18 years Eco2Solar has installed solar panels on nearly 50,000 homes, making possible over 85 million kWh of renewable energy generation and growing to work with some of the country’s leading property developers including Barratt Redrow, Taylor Wimpey, Wain Homes, Keepmoat, and Persimmon 

As a leading energy supplier with extensive experience installing solar PV and other renewable technologies at all scales – from individual homes to huge industrial operations – we’re keen to direct our efforts in ways that will have the greatest possible impact. 

With a typical recent example of one of Eco2Solar’s projects putting more than 2,200 solar panels on a development involving 377 houses, it’s clear they’re a company that can do exactly that, and in 2020 we acquired a 49% stake.

Now, with many more panels installed and sustainable homes built, we’re proud to have acquired the company fully, and the feeling is mutual. 

“My vision has always been to make solar standard and to change the way that we think about how we get our energy in this country,” said Paul Hutchens, Eco2Solar’s CEO. “E.ON UK and Eco2Solar have the opportunity and resources to create new models that will make solar and other sustainable technologies available to everyone.” 

“Everyone” here is vital. 

The polling we commissioned from YouGov also found that 73% of people agree that “making sure all homes – old and new – make the most of energy efficient technologies is an important part of reaching net zero.” 

We believe that for net zero to succeed it must serve everyone, and wherever possible support the UK’s other priorities as well. 

Fortunately, this is well within reach. Evidence shows that committing to the energy transition can have a positive impact for the economy, health, well-paid employment, and a range of other issues Britons care about. 

Quality, affordable, and sustainable housing is a significant part of this, and by working to make sure more new-build homes in the UK are equipped with green technologies like solar, we can ensure that energy bills for the people who live in them are more affordable, helping to make new energy work for all. 

Find out more here: https://www.eon-uk.news/news/e-on-uk-to-acquire-eco2solar