The local authority has more than 38,000 council houses, however it said it needed to build more to meet demand.
“This is only six houses, but it’s the sort of thing we haven’t seen very much of for years and years, so it’s very pleasing to see that this is now happening,” Johnson added.
The properties generate energy via solar panels, with a heat pump producing heating and hot water and a “heat recovery ventilation system” used to filter fresh air throughout the property without losing warmth.
On days when the properties create more electricity than they consume, excess energy is transferred to the national grid.
Ann Seipp, from Homes England, said the properties could help vulnerable tenants – such as those who have been homeless – to “move on and take stock of their lives”.