Solar Panels for New Builds in Scotland not a Requirement. Let's look at the changes

At a Glance

• New regulations in Scotland: Zero direct emissions heating is mandatory from April 2024 (typically heat pumps or electric/heat networks); solar panels are not required
• England: Solar panels will be mandatory on most new homes from 2027 (Wales is expected to align; check Welsh Government updates)
• Scotland's approach: Passivhaus equivalent standard (focuses on insulation and airtightness) becomes mandatory on 31 March 2028
• The problem: Solar panels fell through the cracks during regulatory changes and are not currently included
• What to do: Ask developers directly if solar is included, and consider adding it from day one if self-building
• Savings: A 4kW solar system on a new build can save £974-£1,151 per year on electricity bills
• Next steps: Scottish Government consultation expected soon will decide if solar gets included in final regulations

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The new regulations in Scotland will focus on other areas such as zero direct emissions heating as standard (no gas or oil boilers in new builds from April 2024), but as for solar panels, there won't be a legal requirement for developers to fit them. This is a different story for England and Wales as solar panels will now be mandatory in most new homes.

England and Wales Opt for Solar, Scotland Goes in a Different Direction

In June 2025 the UK government announced as part of the Future Homes Standard that from 2027 onwards solar panels will be required for most new homes in England. Wales commonly aligns but will confirm separately. Future Homes Standard is due to be finalised and will then become law in December 2026 with a transition period running to December 2027.

The Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said "solar panels can save people hundreds of pounds off their energy bills, so it's just common sense for new homes to have them fitted as standard".

Scotland is doing something different. We are bringing in a Passivhaus equivalent standard (a standard for creating highly energy efficient buildings that require very little energy for heating or cooling). This instead becomes mandatory in 2028. Passivhaus is about focusing on insulation, airtightness and ventilation systems, basically making buildings really energy efficient so they don't need much heating. Still, good for keeping our bills down.

Scottish proposals as they stand right now don't mention solar panels anywhere.

How Solar Got Dropped from Scottish Building Regulations

When it came to solar, Scotland were actually ahead on this for years. In 2015 Scotland tightened energy standards in building regulations, which commonly resulted in PV being specified on gas‑heated new builds; England’s 2021 Part L uplift had a similar effect later. We had one of the highest rates of solar installation on new homes in the UK.

Then last April the New Build Heat Standard came in which banned gas and oil boilers in all new homes. This was a good move however the old building regulations had two different specifications, one for gas boiler homes which included solar panels and another for heat pump homes which didn't. When the gas boilers got banned the heat pump specification became the standard that everyone builds to, and this doesn't require solar.

Nobody meant for this to happen, it just fell through the cracks during the changeover and now we're heading toward the Passivhaus equivalent standard and there is a genuine risk that Scotland's new builds will have no requirements for solar at all, where as England and Wales are making it compulsory.

What This Means If You're Buying or Building

Rules from April 2024

From April 2024 the following rules came into play:

• You will no longer have gas or oil boilers fitted in your new home
• Instead you will get a zero direct emissions heating system (typically a heat pump or electric; heat networks are permitted).
• Solar panels won't be a requirement, your developer will choose whether or not to include them, and most don't.

From 31 March 2028

• There will be stricter energy standards (Passivhaus equivalent)
• Homes will be really well insulated and airtight
• Solar panels still not decided, there's another consultation due to happen soon.

If you are buying from a developer you would need to ask them directly if the house comes with solar panels or not. Don't just assume that they'd be included. Some builders are fitting them because homes with solar sell faster, but most aren't bothering because the law doesn't make them.

Self builders need to specifically tell their architect and installer that they want solar panels in the design.

The Numbers That Matter

Solar panels aren't just about being friendly to the environment, a typical new build in Scotland with a 4kW solar system could save you between £974 and £1,151 per year on energy bills.

To give some context a typical existing home in the UK saves roughly £530 a year after installing solar panels. But new builds being more energy efficient to start with see even better returns, especially if you are running a heat pump and charging an electric vehicle.

There's also the 0% VAT on solar installations to consider which runs until March 2027 and can save you a good bit of money upfront. But once the Passivhaus equivalent becomes mandatory in 2028 adding solar later will be more expensive and disruptive than including it from the start.

What Happens Next

The Scottish Government's Stage 2 consultation on the Passivhaus equivalent is expected to open soon. Watch the Scottish Government website for updates. This is the moment when we'll find out whether solar panels and battery storage will be part of Scotland's new build future.

Solar Energy Scotland and other industry groups are pushing hard for solar to be included, pointing out that the EU’s recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive introduces a phased rooftop solar requirement with new residential buildings expected to be included by 2029/2030, subject to national implementation, and England is mandating it from 2027. Scotland they argue shouldn't be left behind, especially when we pioneered this stuff a decade ago.

Josh King, Chair of Solar Energy Scotland stated "We caution against using outdated energy calculations that undervalue on site generation such as solar power and the huge opportunities of battery energy storage."

The Bigger Picture

Scotland has set ambitious targets, we're aiming for 4-6 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2030, and we want to hit net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the rest of the UK. With around a third (about 34%) of Scottish households currently in fuel poverty, getting this right matters.

The irony is that Passivhaus buildings are brilliant at reducing energy demand through insulation and airtightness. But the original Passivhaus standard was developed over 30 years ago when solar panels were expensive and rare. Times have changed. Solar is now cheap, effective and perfectly suited to powering heat pumps and charging electric vehicles.

What Should You Do

If you're in the market for a new build home in Scotland, ask the developer straight out if the house will include solar panels and don't assume it's included just because it makes sense.

If you're building a house yourself you should seriously consider adding solar and battery storage from day one. Your architect or installer can help you maximise the roof space while staying within the regulations. JME Green Energy works throughout Central Scotland and can advise on the best approach for new builds.

And if you care about this issue, watch out for the Scottish Government's consultation in autumn 2025. That's when decisions will be made that affect new homes for years to come.

Scotland led the way on solar in new builds once before. There's no reason we can't do it again, but only if the regulations support it. Let's hope they do.

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