The Merton Rule is the policy driving the incorporation of renewable energy technologies in new homes. It was first developed by Merton Council in 2003 and required new commercial buildings over 1,000 square meters to generate at least 10 percent of their energy needs using on site renewable energy technology. The impact of the policy encouraged the Mayor of London and many other councils across the UK to also implement it and it subsequently became part of national UK planning guidance. This in turn led to a significant reduction in carbon emissions from new buildings and helped to support the emerging UK renewables industry.
Although the government has amended the Deregulation Bill to remove power from local government to set energy efficiency standards for new buildings, it has left in place powers to specify the sourcing of energy from on-site renewable technologies (such as solar panels) or connected renewable heat networks (using technologies such as biomass, geothermal or energy from waste). This means that local authorities can continue to specify the inclusion of renewable energy in new homes, thus helping to reduce energy bills and carbon footprints.
“We very much welcome that Government has listened to our concerns and retained the Merton Rule for renewable energy” said REA Head of On-site Renewables Mike Landy. “This popular policy will continue to enable local authorities to ensure that new homes in their locality enjoy lower energy bills and carbon footprints thanks to on-site renewables and renewable heat networks. This is great news for green jobs and skills in the sector. We’d like to thank everyone who has helped to make this possible.”
Last year’s update to Building Regulations slightly increased energy efficiency standards (effective from 1st April this year). However, it did not provide any impetus for renewables. The outcome of the present amendment therefore comes as a great relief for the new build renewables sector as it will preserve jobs and skills developed to date ahead of the implementation of full ‘Zero Carbon’ standards, including renewables, in the 2016 Building Regulations update.
Most developers prefer solar when building to Merton Rule requirements as it is a simple technology to work with and costs have fallen dramatically in recent years. According to the Solar Trade Assocation (STA), a 10 percent renewables Merton Rule can be achieved for just £1,000 per home. Furthermore, the costs of building to full ‘Zero Carbon’ standards can be recouped by the homeowner in less than ten years.
There are already half a million solar roofs in the UK, according to STA Chief Executive Paul Barwell. Polls show that solar is the public’s favourite energy technology as it enables homeowners to save money while making their homes more sustainable.
The decision by the government not to scrap the Merton Rule comes in the wake of an open letter delivered to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles earlier this week by the Efficient Affordable Energy in Buildings (EAEB) campaign of which both the REA and STA are members. Both trade associations are looking forward to seeing the details of the 2016 Building Regulations update in due course, which must ensure that both energy efficiency and renewables can fulfil their potential to keep bills and emissions down in new homes across the country.
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