Data from a recent poll conducted by YouGov for CPRE, the countryside charity, showed that 82% of respondents support the installation of rooftop solar on all new homes and commercial buildings. This figure increases to 89% for Labour voters.
This data comes at a crucial time. On Friday 17 January, MPs will hear the second reading of the Sunshine Bill, a Private Members Bill tabled by Max Wilkinson, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham. It calls for mandatory solar on new homes.
However, the bill cannot progress unless enough MPs vote to end the debate and move to a vote. This requires not just a majority, but also at least 100 MPs to be present.
In recent days, more than 10,000 CPRE supporters have contacted their MP to urge them to support the bill. To date, over 600 MPs have been contacted, representing more than 90% of constituencies in the UK.
Research by University College London in May 2023 revealed that there is enough unused roof space for 117GW of installed solar energy capacity, far outstripping the government’s own target to generate 70GW by 2030. Investment in rooftop solar would support green growth creating more than 100,000 new jobs in North West England alone.
Climate change is the single biggest threat to the countryside, with more and more extreme weather already threatening livelihoods, food security and nature. CPRE has long advocated for rooftop solar as a key solution to deliver clean power by 2023, helping the country meet its international legal commitments to help combat climate change.
Roger Mortlock, CPRE chief executive, said: “The overwhelming majority of people in this country back rooftop solar. It’s a common-sense and unobtrusive solution to our energy needs that helps make the best use of our finite amount of land. That’s why the Sunshine Bill is such an exciting opportunity to change how the UK generates energy.
“It’s crazy that it isn’t already a requirement for solar panels be fitted as standard on all new homes. The time for change has come. The government must set a target for generating at least 60% of the UK’s solar energy from rooftops and make it easier and cheaper to install panels on existing homes and commercial buildings.”
