Households in the UK will soon be able to buy plug-in solar panels from retailers such as Lidl and Amazon, the Government has announced. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the low-cost devices, which can be plugged directly into a mains socket, will help cut energy bills and support Britain's transition to net zero.
Unlike traditional solar panels, which require costly and complex installation, plug-in solar panels can be placed on balconies or in gardens and connected to a household socket. The Government estimates a typical home could save between £70 and £110 a year on energy bills, with the panels costing around £400.
Current UK regulations do not permit plug-in solar, but ministers have pledged to update the G98 distribution code and wiring regulations BS 7671 to allow devices under 800W to be connected without an electrician. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it is working with the Energy Networks Association, Distribution Network Operators and Ofgem to implement the changes.
Miliband said: 'The Iran war has once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don’t control.' He added that plug-in solar would help give the country 'energy sovereignty'.
Retailers have welcomed the move. Georgina Hall of Lidl GB said the company is 'committed to making sustainable living affordable for everyone', while Lorna Wallace-Smith of manufacturer EcoFlow said the change would enable people to 'start generating their own clean electricity straight away'. The Government expects the panels to be available 'within months', with EcoFlow hoping for availability by summer.
