when building new houses why doesn't the gov insist on solar panels to be fitted as standard?

Question

i know they are expensive but the saving to the house owner and planet shurly outway the cost. almost free hot water in every home.

Answer 1

In the long term they might save the home owner money but they will push the cost of the house up and there's a good chance the extra interest that will cause might actually be more than the cost of electricity if they didn't have PV cells on the roof.

Not to mention that there's still the need for grid power at night and when it is cloudy and to run high power drain appliances and that the power plants still have to be run in a mode that allows them to increase output quickly to meet that demand so you don't get to shut down anywhere near as many power plants as you'd expect doing that (this also applies to solar and wind systems run by a utility).

Reductions in CO2 emissions could be obtained cheaper just building nuclear power plants (which actually need less energy to build compared to the energy they produce than solar PV).

Though solar water heating if the water is soft enough not to ruin the system too quickly is worth getting and if not mandated should be encouraged.

Answer 2

I've often asked the same question. We have solar panels fitted on our roof and haven't had to run our boiler for hot water, since the beginning of April this year. Our hot water temperature is usually around 60 degrees. The time is coming when we will have to put the booster pump on, but we have "free" hot water for almost three-quarters of the year. I have a friend living in Israel and she says that all houses must be built with solar panels there.

Answer 3

the UK Government do, sort of, insist -
see the Code for Sustainable Homes http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115314116927.html, which does address all options, not just on site energy generation, but other sustainable issues like water use too.

any government (housing corporation) funded "affordable" homes have to meet level 3 from this year. Level 6 = carbon neutral, will be required in 10 years.

And they are consulting on making it compulsory for open market housing too.
The UK government Stern report http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/stern_review_report.cfm was clear on the cost of not tackling climate change; the problem is the majority of the voting public and industry won't accept anything that might cause them to evaluate their current unsustainable lifestyles and practices.

But there are very good examples of what can be acheived to give us better housing stock with lower running costs; just most developers don't live in the houses they build, and people buy them anyway.

Answer 4

Solar panel consists of photovoltaic cell that collect the sun's heat and converts it into energy that heats the water running in copper tubes. Each cell costs a lot and it may be affordable to a few. Maintenance is very little. It pays for itself.
We can make solar light as a source of energy lighting purpose in new houses. We are all misusing electricity during day time when the sun is shining - just outside our windows. Why cant we bring home the sunshine and reduce consumption of electricity which can be diverted for productive purposes?
Even burning bulbs contribute to global warming. I was honored by the World Bank for my grassroots initiative U-SEE
A grassroot level initiative U-SEE - Unlimited Savings of Electrical Energy which gives to the world how we can stop misuse of electricity during day time when the sun is shining. My idea revolves around "bring home the sunshine" and "get moonlight from sunlight". Have a look at the following World Bank link and let me know if you want more details. The idea is a child's play and is so simple but saves billions of units of costly electricity and also reduces over exploitation of the natural resources like oil, coal, water and also reduces global warming from stopping burning of bulbs.
Link: http://dmblog.worldbank.org/mirrors-can-bring-light-rural-homes.
Please spread this link to all your family members, friends and neighbors. Let them also benefit and save the world before it is too late.
[e-mail] -

Answer 5

Because we live in a free society where commerce is based on the principles of capitalism and not those of socialism. If solar panels made economic sense, everyone would have them. In fact, they would insist on them.

Answer 6

It's not the government's responsibility or authority to do something like that. When I build a house I don't want the government telling me what I have to put on my roof. America is a great place. It's FREE.

Answer 7

Actually solar water heaters would be much more financially viable and have very good efficiency, I would say both solar water heaters and PV panels should be mandatory for new buildings.

Answer 8

Because it is has the power companies lobbying hard to protect thier inflexible business model?

Because the nimbys will protest on account of them being ugly?

Because the developers would protest due to the extra regulation, cost per 'unit' or extra training neccessary.

Because they don't want to interfere in the market.

Because the PV and micro wind turbine manufacturers would protest that thier products would not be required as well, and that it would reflect badly on thier products.

Answer 9

Can you imagine trying this in Scotland? Wouldn't be cost effective.

Answer 10

i do not have a answer to that but here is a company that has a plan so every one can have solar i is allsome plan i ordered mine.
goto http://jointhesolution.com/royphillips
read a little save a lot of money and save a lot of waste.
thanks