Trina Solar a global leader in photovoltaic modules, solutions, and services, has called on the construction industry to give the development of solar energy more attention as the latest house building figures show a 28 per cent rise in registrations in 2013 compared to 2012.
Although 133,670 new properties were registered with the National House Building Council by the end of last year, the company says that too many construction firms treat installing solar panels as a box-ticking operation, missing out on the energy saving benefits that are possible.
UK Manager for Trina Solar and board member of the Solar Trade Association Richard Rushin said: 'Looking around many new housing developments I can't help noticing that houses will have only one panel up, often facing in the least productive direction.
He continued: 'Government targets require all new build housing to be zero carbon by 2016. While this is an ambitious deadline, many construction companies are missing a trick and should use solar installations as a key part of meeting this target.
'Whether you are trying to satisfy planning conditions, achieve a Code for Sustainable level, BREEAM standard or any other energy or CO2 target, solar PV has become one of the easiest and cheapest ways to achieve compliance.'
Mr Rushin concluded: 'We all know properly designed and installed solar PV systems on residential roofs work brilliantly so I would call on the Government to make the necessary regulatory changes to make a fully operational solar PV system a standard measure on as many new build properties as possible in the same way that thermal efficiency is now an essential part of the design and final build.'
