The MP has put the suggestion to Communities Minister Andrew Stunell, asking for it to be considered as part of the reform of Part L of the Building Regulations.
Stevenson said that a policy of making solar panels compulsory on new housing would have the benefit of saving energy costs for householders, whilst increasing demand for solar panels. Given that 113,880 homes were built in the UK last year, Mr Stevenson, speaking to the News and Star, said "We will create a much bigger market for solar panels. Economies of scale will drive down the cost and lead to greater innovation".
The Department of Communities and Local Government is currently undertaking consultation on changes to Part L of the Building Regulations (95-Pages/343KB), which relate to conservation of fuel and power. The consultation is open for responses until 27 March 2012 on additional "consequential" improvements in existing buildings and until 27 April 2012 on the remaining changes. Once the Government has considered the responses, the aim is to introduce changes to the Building Regulations in 2013.
