What discussions has the Minister had with local authorities to ensure that all new social housing in Wales is built with solar panels?
The Welsh Government’s Building Regulations (Part L Conservation of fuel and power) provides guidance on the conservation of fuel and power and is our primary tool for raising energy standards in construction.
Welsh Government funds new social housing developments through the Social Housing Grant (SHG) program. Local authorities in receipt of SHG must build housing to meet the “Welsh Development Quality Requirements 2021 – creating beautiful homes and places” (WDQR 2021) which was published in August 2021.
This sets out the standard for new affordable homes in Wales and ensures all Welsh Government funded homes achieve low carbon standards. Together with building regulations, WDQR 2021 reduces fuel bills through enhanced building fabric specifications and a requirement to meet an “EPC A” energy rating.
WDQR 2021 applies to affordable homes from 1st October 2021, with market homes expected to meet Welsh Government low carbon standards by 2025, as recommended by the Independent Review of Affordable Housing Supply 2019.
To encourage innovation, building regulations and WDQR 2021 do not mandate a particular technology such as solar panels, however in calling for “EPC A”, Welsh Government is encouraging their use. Whilst solar panels are probably the most common solution, other technologies including heat pumps and domestic wind turbines are also available.
In practice, all new grant funded social housing will currently need to use renewable technologies such as solar panels to meet our bold energy saving targets.