Solar panels and wind turbines could start mushrooming on UK dwellings following changes to the planning system intended to help combat global warming.

The Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change, introduced by housing minister Yvette Cooper last month, is intended to ensure councils and developers consider technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines or heat pumps to generate decentralised, renewable low-carbon energy on the sites of new or existing developments.

The policy will encourage developers to look at connecting projects to neighbouring community heating and power schemes, and require them to consider renewable energy when deciding a scheme’s location.

The policy calls for new developments to be sited “so they can take full advantage of local renewable and low-carbon energy opportunities”.

Launching the policy, Cooper said: “If we are to reach the ambitious zero carbon standards we need a revolution in the way we heat and power our homes. We want councils to do more to back local energy.”

Andrew Cooper, head of renewables at the Renewable Energy Association, said: “The minister’s statement on the need to maximise the contribution from on-site renewables is particularly welcome. We look forward to seeing this further clarified in next year’s guidance notes.”