The YouGov survey, carried out online between 4 and 26 January, and weighted to be representative shows that 79% of all 107 surveyed MPs, including 73% of Conservative and 83% of Labour MPs, believe solar panels should be incorporated into all new builds by 2025. While just 4% disagree, 17% neither agree nor disagree. 

Three in five (61%) MPs believe that battery storage, which can maximise the gains from solar panels, should be mandatory in new homes as well. That figure rises to 77% for Labour MPs (compared to 47% of Conservative MPs).

In addition, 56% of surveyed MPs, including 43% of Conservatives and 72% of Labour MPs, agree that heat pumps should be incorporated into all new builds by 2025, while 27% neither agreed nor disagreed, and 17% disagreed. 

The poll comes as the Government is considering crucial new regulations that will set standards for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon reduction under the Future Homes Standard. The Future Homes Standard is due to come into force from next year. 

Campaigners say the new regulations present a key opportunity to boost renewable energy in the UK and lock in low energy bills for homeowners.  

The MCS Foundation, which commissioned the YouGov poll, say that MPs’ clear support for solar power and battery storage shows a recognition that the future lies in homes that can generate their own clean energy.  

David Cowdrey, Director of External Affairs at the MCS Foundation, said, “When it comes to constructing modern homes that are climate-friendly and cheap to run, building-in solar panels, batteries for energy storage, and heat pumps from the start is very clearly the way to go. 

“It is very encouraging that such a clear majority of MPs back the principle of renewable energy for all new homes. The Government now has a mandate to require a meaningful deployment of solar panels as well as battery storage on new-builds under the Future Homes Standard, and it must enact that as soon as possible.” 

The Government’s current plans for the Future Homes Standard would effectively ban fossil fuel and hydrogen-ready boilers, making heat pumps or low-carbon heat networks the default instead.  

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of the Solar Energy UK trade association, said: “Everyone wins from making solar power effectively mandatory for new housing. It means lower bills for newbuild homeowners and greater energy security for us all, plus progress towards net zero, through cutting reliance on pricey natural gas.

“The policy would save newbuild homeowners between £910 to £2,120 per year, according to the Government consultation, while pushing purchase prices up only marginally.”