Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, speaks to Housebuilder & Developer magazine on the increasing demand for Solar – exploring the benefits for housebuilders, and discussing why renewable solutions are the future.
Currently, of the 200,000 new homes being built in the UK, only about 10% include solar PV on the roof. But this figure is set to rise dramatically in the years ahead as housebuilders come to terms with a changing regulatory landscape driven by amendments to Part L and Part S of the building regulations.
The exponential increase in solar specification is also being driven by changing consumer trends – with an eye on a sustainable future and access to lower cost energy, many are expecting that the new homes they are purchasing include renewable technologies such as solar and EV charging capability as standard.
This movement is reflected by the findings of a recent study conducted by sustainability and money-saving platform SaveMoneyCutCarbon, that found that 66% of householders would implement more green behaviours, while 45% said the next house they purchase will be energy efficient.
With this in mind, housebuilders are at the forefront of the solar PV revolution. The impact of the Part L changes becomes tangible in June 2023, following a yearlong transition period. From this summer, and to remain compliant, the sector will need to deploy design and technology answers that lead to new houses producing 31% less carbon emissions.
The easiest and quickest way to deliver this, alongside the building fabric, is to specify a combination of solar PV on roofscapes with an efficient gas fired boiler or a heat pump. Boilers remain the current product of choice, but this will change as their specification is phased out later this decade on new builds.
In addition, the Government’s Future Homes Standard is set for implementation in just two years’ time. At this point, the industry will have a design and build template that can guide the construction of sustainable, highly energy efficient homes that will be essential to improve the nation’s housing stock.
The adoption of more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road is another escalating trend supporting the desire to find solutions that protect the planet better. As a result, potential house buyers are looking more eagerly at properties that offer in-built at-home charging facilities. This is also supported by Part S of the building regulations which prescribes that all new homes being built with a driveway will require an EV charging solution.
The renewable energy package
Marley continues to work collaboratively with housebuilders and provide support through the creation and availability of a high performing renewable energy package that includes solar panels and EV charging technologies procured from a single source. This comes with technical expertise which can assist with up front specification for solar solutions and deliver practical advice and guidance for installation.
Leading the way is Marley SolarTile®, a fully integrated and aesthetically pleasing solar panel solution that is already a commonly specified solution and is capable of delivering desired power outputs of between 1.5 and 2kw per household.
Whilst housebuilders may have concerns about the past appearance of bulky, on-roof solar panels, today’s specification choice has moved on.
SolarTile® now offers a more visually appealing, cost effective and easier to install option. By simply replacing a section of roof tiles, integrated solutions such as SolarTile® provide a sleek aesthetic and function as a seamless element of the overall roof. This type of solar panel can also be installed at the same time as the rest of the roof tiles, without a specialist contractor. Best of all, if installed as part of a full Marley roofing system, the panels come with a 15-year guarantee.
Along with SolarTile®, Marley is introducing an extension to the solar range on offer to housebuilders. The new M10 Solar photovoltaic panel solution is designed to increase total power from a roof area or allow for the installation of fewer solar panels to achieve the target system size.
And to further enhance our holistic package of renewable products, Marley is now offering an effective EV charger that can satisfy Part S demands and support homeowners with their sustainability aspirations.
It has attractive slimline aesthetics that look good inside or outside the home, guaranteed charging performance, and the ability to connect solar panels on the roofscape with EV charging so households can access clean, renewable, and cheaper energy in the home and to power up their electric vehicles. The sleek and compact 7kw wall mounted socketed charging unit can be fitted discreetly on home exteriors for kerbside appeal or within interiors if required.
In addition, it is also supported with an easy-to-use APP which provides immediate control and a range of functions that include charge scheduling, usage monitoring and solar power matching.