Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has plans to provide funding for the fitting of solar panelling on all new warehouses.

The Department has no plans to provide specific funding for the fitting of solar panels on all new warehouses. Building Regulations are technology-neutral, to preserve the flexibility that developers need to suit the circumstances of individual sites. Subject to further technical consultation, the Government expects the Future Buildings Standard to ensure all new non-domestic buildings are zero-carbon ready.

Businesses installing roof top solar on warehouses can receive payment for any surplus electricity that is exported to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee. The Government is also providing fiscal incentives through capital allowances for spend on solar panels, and as announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Autumn Budget 2021, solar and storage used on site will be exempt from business rates from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2035.