P-06-1339 Require all new Welsh homes to be fitted with solar panels as a condition of planning permission, Correspondence – Petitioner to Committee, 27.06.23

Dear Senedd members,

Thank you for the opportunity to reply to the Ministers comments concerning my petition. I welcome her support for the general thrust of my petition but I do not believe, however, that the three reasons she lists for not supporting this policy change could not be overcome given enough commitment, determination and political will.

Declaring a Climate emergency means we now urgently need radical and effective action not more nice words and neverending reports.

The Ministers explanation of the Building regulations is interesting but is not certainly not a reason why including solar PV in future builds cannot be adopted.

Similarly the information on permitted development rights is interesting but does not address my suggestion that solar PV can effectively help us tackle both climate change and the energy crisis and fuel poverty.

Installing solar panels on every house in the UK would provide 60.52% of our total domestic electricity consumption. Between April and September, solar generation would exceed all domestic electricity consumption.

With more solar panels on roof tops here in the UK than ever before, solar panels are becoming less of an eye sore and more of a statement of change. By installing solar panels on new builds we are effectively increasing the awareness in the technology and making renewable energy more of the norm. This is a great way to continue to encourage the UK’s transition towards Green energy. 

Finally "other considerations" informs us that solar PV is not suitable in all locations but I have already accepted that fact in my petition.

Once again I believe that Welsh Government can lead the world in finding solutions to both climate change and the energy crisis but what is lacking is the political will to make that change!

Thank you/Diolch

Robert Curtis