Ministers are considering requiring almost all new homes to be fitted with solar panels by 2027, according to reports.

Officials proposed requiring four fifths of new homes to have solar panels that cover 40% of a building's ground area, The Times reported.

A further 19% would need to have fewer panels and just 1% would have none, the newspaper said.

The change was estimated to make building a semi-detached or terraced house £3,300 more expensive and add just under £4,000 to the cost of building a detached property.

But supporters claim homeowners will recoup the losses within four years because they will pay around £1,000 a year less in energy bills.

The plans come in spite of growing opposition to net zero within Labour.

The news has been welcomed by CPRE, the countryside charity.

CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: "This is positive step and shows that taking climate action doesn't have to come at the expense of a thriving countryside. CPRE has long campaigned for rooftop solar panels to be made compulsory on all new-build homes.

"The UK's millions of roofs have the potential to generate huge amounts of cheap and sustainable energy, slash people's bills and ensure we make the best use of our finite supply of land.

"Net zero is non-negotiable, with solar power a key part of our energy mix. We urge the government to set a target for generating at least 60% of the UK's solar energy from rooftops.

"We've wasted the potential of our rooftops for too long. We still want to see rooftop solar rolled out across warehouses, car parks, and existing homes. At the same time, mega solar risks being allowed to damage natural landscapes and productive farmland. Today's announcement helps restore the right balance."