The Local Government Association (LGA) has thrown down the gauntlet, urging the government to mandate solar panels on all new homes. This isn’t just about cutting carbon; it’s about slashing household bills and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. The LGA’s report, “Empowering Local Climate Action: Advice to Government,” pulls no punches, highlighting that 60% of new builds are still going up without rooftop solar. This is a missed opportunity of monumental proportions.
The LGA’s proposal is clear: mandate solar on new homes, save residents an estimated £440 a year on energy bills, and push the country closer to its green targets. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The report outlines a broader set of proposals aimed at unlocking the potential of local authorities in the race to net zero. Councils, the LGA argues, are critical to cutting emissions and delivering clean energy. But they’re being held back, shackled by inadequate funding and powers.
The LGA’s vision is bold. It wants councils to lead the charge in four key areas: decarbonising housing, modernising the energy system, expanding clean power, and protecting nature. Under its “Warm Homes Plan,” the LGA wants councils to upgrade five million homes through long-term, locally-led retrofit programmes. It’s calling for urgent reform of the energy system to unlock locally-led clean energy projects, fast-track community power schemes, and modernise infrastructure. To protect nature, councils want stronger powers to drive biodiversity restoration and integrate natural capital into local planning frameworks.
But to deliver all this, the LGA is pushing for a seismic shift in national-local climate governance. It wants more legislative powers for councils to set climate targets, multi-year outcome-focused funding, and new green finance mechanisms to accelerate investment. A green skills strategy, including apprenticeships and workforce planning, is also vital to ensure the UK can meet future clean energy demands.
Adam Hug, Environment spokesperson for the LGA, doesn’t mince his words: “This report sets out what councils can achieve and how to do it, if the Government is able to back them with the powers and funding to turn this into a reality.” He’s right. Councils are ready to go further and faster on climate action. But they need a plan that works in partnership with local government. The funding or policies needed to empower them to fully realise this ambition are not yet in place.
This news could shape the energy sector in profound ways. It could accelerate the adoption of solar power, drive innovation in energy storage and grid management, and create new jobs and skills. It could also shift the balance of power in the energy sector, giving local authorities a greater role in driving the transition to net zero. But it will require a fundamental rethink of how the government supports and empowers local authorities. The LGA has set out a clear vision. Now it’s up to the government to act. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now.