The price cap will rise by £63 in October, the third increase this year. Yet a new survey from Mortgage Strategy finds that nine out of ten homebuyers want solar panels and EV charging built into their next property. That figure, drawn from a poll of 2,000 prospective buyers, tells you something about where the market is heading, and it is not towards gas boilers.
As reported by Mortgage Strategy, the demand cuts across age groups and regions. It is not a niche preference among eco-enthusiasts. It is mainstream. And for anyone selling a home in the next five years, ignoring it could cost you thousands.
What this means for your property’s value
Rightmove data from earlier this year showed that homes with solar panels sell 14% faster than those without. Combine that with the Mortgage Strategy finding, and the arithmetic is clear: a 4kW solar array, costing £5,000–£7,000 installed, can add £10,000–£15,000 to your sale price according to estate agent reports. That is a return on investment most kitchen refits cannot match.
But the catch is timing. The survey also found that 73% of buyers would pay more for a home that already has solar and EV charging. Wait until you are on the market to install, and you lose that premium. The buyer sees a blank roof and assumes a £7,000 bill. They offer lower. You lose.
EPC impact, and the mortgage link
Energy Performance Certificates are no longer a background detail. From 2025, minimum EPC standards for rental properties rise to C, and lenders are increasingly pricing mortgages based on energy efficiency. A D-rated home can cost you 0.5% more on a mortgage rate, according to analysis from the Building Societies Association. For a £250,000 mortgage, that is £1,250 a year extra.
Solar panels typically lift an EPC rating by two bands. A home that was an E can become a C. EV charging points add another few points, especially if paired with a smart tariff like Octopus Intelligent Go. Ofgem approved time-of-use tariffs can cut charging costs to 7.5p per kWh overnight, compared to the current price cap of 27.35p per kWh. That is a saving of £600 a year for a typical EV driver doing 10,000 miles.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
The smart money is on the 90% who want solar. But the government’s own schemes have gaps. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 for heat pumps but nothing for solar alone. The ECO+ scheme targets low-income households. If you are a standard homeowner in a mid-terrace, you are largely on your own for upfront costs, unless you use a 0% VAT rate (extended to March 2027) and a flexible finance plan through a certified installer.
Energy Saving Trust estimates that a typical 3-bed semi using 3,500 kWh of electricity per year can save £450–£550 annually with a 4kW solar system. That assumes 50% self-consumption. Add a battery (another £2,000–£3,000) and you push self-consumption to 80%, saving £700+ per year. The payback period drops from 12 years to 8.
Yet the Mortgage Strategy survey reveals a mismatch: 90% want solar, but only 6% of UK homes have it. That gap is an opportunity. Install now, sell later, and let the next owner thank you. Or wait, and watch your neighbour’s sold sign go up first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Solar photovoltaic panels typically boost an EPC rating by two bands, moving a D-rated home to B or C. The exact gain depends on your roof size, orientation, and existing insulation. An accredited Energy Assessor can model the impact before you install.
Yes. The Mortgage Strategy survey shows 9 in 10 buyers want it. Even without an EV, a smart charger adds to your EPC score and makes your property more attractive. You can also earn money by selling excess solar power to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), typically 5–15p per kWh.
