16th February 2026 By Ella Mackenzie
New research indicates renewable technologies are rapidly becoming a mainstream factor in property value
Homes without solar panels could face an average £11,000 hit to their asking price, according to new consumer research highlighting how renewable technologies are rapidly becoming a mainstream factor in property value.
The findings, released by Switch Together, come as the Government advances its plans for the Future Homes Standard to require rooftop solar on all new-build homes from 2027 and rolls out the Warm Homes policy framework.
Together, these signals appear to be reshaping buyer expectations and implications for heating, ventilation and renewable installers.
The research suggests a clear shift in attitudes, with six in ten homebuyers believe a property without solar panels should be discounted and the average expected reduction standing at £11,000.
According to the report, younger buyers are driving the trend, with those aged 25–34 reportedly believing the discount should be extended up to £12,500.
With energy-efficient technologies beginning to command premiums rather than being seen as optional upgrades, more than a quarter of homeowners say they would pay extra for a home with solar panels already installed and 17% would pay a premium for a property equipped with a heat pump.
For HVAC professionals, this reinforces how low-carbon heating and on-site generation are increasingly becoming part of a home’s market appeal as well as its energy performance.
The research closely follows the Government’s Warm Homes agenda and preparations to mandate rooftop solar on new-build homes from 2027, a policy which appears to be accelerating the public perception that renewables should be standard.
Support for broader adoption is also growing, according to the report. A quarter of respondents thought that solar panels should automatically be installed when a home gets a new roof, and nearly one in five believe the requirement should extend to homes built within the past five years.
This suggests a shift from solar as an early-adopter technology to basic infrastructure.
The research also points to rising consumers’ willingness to fund installations themselves, with over 40% of homeowners saying they would pay up to £7500 to install solar panels.
However, this figure sits is not representative of real-world system costs, with a standard ten-panel installation typically being priced between £6,000 and £7,000.
George Frost, UK Head of Switch Together, said the data reflects a fundamental market shift:
“Homebuyers are sending a strong message. Solar panels are now an expectation for many. People want homes that are future proofed, resilient and energy efficient – and sellers who fail to keep up with this shift risk losing thousands from their asking price.
“This growing willingness to invest, combined with rising expectations that homes should already have solar panels installed, shows just how strongly renewable energy is now influencing long-term property value. The government must expand financial support and incentives beyond newbuild homes, as doing so would boost property prices, strengthen buyer confidence and help households cut their energy bills much sooner.”
For heating and ventilation professionals, the research underlines a broader trend of energy technologies are becoming a core part of the property proposition, with solar PV, heat pumps and associated controls now being viewed as value-enhancing assets.
As policy, consumer expectations and property market dynamics align, demand for integrated renewable and low-carbon heating solutions looks set to grow, particularly in the retrofit market.
Tagged with: Homebuying Property market renewables solar Switch Together
Recommended Articles
Energy Minister discusses how domestic manufacturing for low-carbon heating technolody can be…
From the end of January, all heat network owners, operators and suppliers…
The firm says the rebrand project reflects its integrated energy and electrical…
Zehnder Group UK has launched a purpose-built academy designed to tackle the…
Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion.
Join our industry-focused LinkedIn group
Get the latest news and analysis sent straight to your inbox

source