Plug-in solar panels come to market

Plug-in solar panels are now legal across Great Britain. From today (27 August), the panels can be plugged into homes across the country, saving households up to £110 a year on their bills through clean, homegrown power, the Government has announced. 

Each plug-in solar kit produces up to 800W of power, enough to provide up to 20% of an average home’s electricity use. This can run a typical fridge, television, Wi-Fi router, laptop, phone charger and an Xbox S operating at once when the sun is shining.

The Government says the legal changes follow rigorous, independent safety testing, covering all key electrical elements, which shows that compliant panels are safe and compatible with UK wiring.

The UK safety specification is more stringent than that of Germany, where the technology is already widely used and around half a million new devices were plugged in last year. 

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 

“Plug-in solar is a simple, affordable way for households to take control of their energy bills and start saving straight away.  

“From this summer, we’re giving more families the ability to power their homes with clean, homegrown energy.”

Major retailers, such as Currys, B&Q, Screwfix and Amazon have worked with Government on the rollout of plug-in solar and will soon have them available to purchase in stores and online.   

Retailers including Amazon, Argos, Currys and Wickes have all committed to stocking plug-in solar panels.

gov.uk