Solar Panels on New Build Homes
New build properties and solar panels have become closely associated in recent years — the Future Homes Standard is progressively raising energy efficiency requirements, and many developers now include solar as standard on larger developments. But developer-fitted solar is not always optimally specified, and even where a developer includes panels, homeowners are often left wondering whether the system has been designed to maximise generation or simply to meet a regulatory checkbox.
Developer-Fitted Solar: What to Check
If your new build comes with developer-installed solar, verify the following before your legal completion:
- Panel brand and specifications: Are these tier-1 panels from a reputable manufacturer with a meaningful product warranty? Generic or unknown panel brands are a common developer cost-saving measure.
- Inverter quality: A cheap inverter on expensive panels is a false economy — the inverter determines how efficiently your system operates and fails before the panels do.
- Generation monitoring: Is there a monitoring app included? Without data visibility, you cannot verify the system is performing correctly.
- MCS certificate: Essential for Smart Export Guarantee registration. The developer should provide this at handover.
- Roof coverage: Is the system optimally sized for your roof? Developers often install the minimum compliant system. Adding panels later is straightforward if conduit has been pre-installed.
Adding Solar to a New Build Yourself
If your new build doesn't include solar, adding it is typically very straightforward. Modern new builds have excellent roof structures, clean electrical installations, and usually a modern consumer unit with spare capacity. The roof is under warranty from the developer — coordinate with them to ensure the warranty is maintained during installation. In most cases, your solar installer can work with the developer's roofing warranty without issue by using non-penetrating rail mounts or by notifying the developer in advance.
Roof Orientation and Pitch
New build developments often have mixed orientation — some plots face south, others east-west or north. For south-facing plots, a simple roof-mount system delivers the highest generation. For east-west orientations, a split array across both roof faces delivers almost as much total generation (within 10–15% of south), spread across a longer daylight window. Some developers now specifically plan south-facing plots for solar optimisation — worth checking at the reservation stage.
Battery Storage with New Builds
New build homeowners are among the most enthusiastic adopters of battery storage — the combination of fresh infrastructure, modern consumer units, and often solar already installed makes battery addition straightforward. Many customers add battery storage within the first 2–3 years of moving in. If you are having solar installed on a new build, ask us about installing conduit and cable routing for a future battery at the same time — it significantly reduces the cost of adding storage later.
EV Chargers on New Builds
Since June 2022, all new residential properties in England must have an EV charge point with dedicated circuit installed at the property. Many developers install a basic charge point; if yours came with a simple tethered charger rather than a smart unit, upgrading to an Ohme or Zappi is a worthwhile investment. Contact ALPS Electrical for new build solar, battery and EV charger installations across the North East.