Solar panels to be mandatory on new builds in the UK

This change, which involves amendments to building regulations, will be detailed in the autumn and "will ensure that new homes are modern and energy-efficient," it was stressed in a press release.

Residents of "a typical British home" could save 530 pounds (630 euros) a year, the government estimates.

New homes will also have to be equipped with "low-carbon heating, such as a heat pump, and display high levels of energy efficiency."

Households will receive up to £7.500 off the cost of a heat pump, "which can save families around £100 a year by using a smart tariff effectively," the statement said.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has hailed the measures as "common sense" for the country, which is at the forefront of energy diversification.

"This government deserves full credit for this breakthrough," said Ami McCarthy of the NGO Greenpeace. "It's a great example of how climate solutions can not only reduce planet-warming emissions but also improve people's lives."

Rooftop solar "does not come at the expense" of the countryside, which "contrasts mega solar farms, which damage natural landscapes and productive farmland," said Jackie Copley of the CPRE charity, which specializes in rural advocacy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a plan to create 1,5 million homes across the UK by 2029.

This plan is inspired by that of the Labour government in the late 1940s, which allowed the construction of new urban areas to alleviate the housing shortage after the Second World War.

The UK has been in the grip of a housing crisis for several years, with supply failing to meet demand, which is increasing due to population growth.