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The Government claims a family could save £70 to £110 a year using plug-in solar
Households in the UK will soon be able to buy “plug-in” solar panels in shops, the Government has said. Ministers say the appliances will take money off energy bills and support Britain’s transition to net zero.
Here’s how it works.
Plug-in solar refers to low-cost panels that families can put on their balconies or outdoor spaces.
Unlike traditional solar panels, which can be costly and complex to install, these panels are plugged directly into a mains socket like any other device, providing a home with free solar power.
The appliances reduce the amount of electricity a household draws from the grid, thereby cutting a family’s energy bills.
Plug-in solar is already popular in European countries like Germany and Spain. In Germany, where they are referred to as Balkonkraftwerk (balcony power plant), around half a million devices are plugged in each year.
However, UK regulations do not currently allow plug-in solar. Ministers have promised to change this, saying the technology is easy-to-install and could save many households significant amounts on their energy bills while making Britain less reliant on fossil fuel.
The Government has said it will work with the Energy Networks Association, Distribution Network Operators (the organisations which own and control the electricity distribution network), and the regulator Ofgem to update the regulations.
Specifically, it will update the “G98 distribution code and wiring regulations BS 7671” to allow UK households to connect <800W plug-in solar panels to domestic mains sockets, without the need for an electrician and with tailored safety standards.
The Energy Secretary Ed 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 to “roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty”.
The Government has said it is already working with retailers like Lidl and Amazon, alongside manufacturers such as EcoFlow, to bring plug-in solar to the UK market. 
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has promised that the solar panels will be available in shops “within months”, while EcoFlow has said it hopes people will be able to use them this summer.
Georgina Hall, corporate affairs director at Lidl GB said: “At Lidl GB, we are committed to making sustainable living affordable for everyone and we welcome the Government’s move to modernise regulations in the UK.
“Updating the regulatory landscape for this ‘plug-and-play’ technology is a positive step towards empowering British households to manage their energy costs and support the nation’s net-zero ambitions.”
Lorna Wallace-Smith, head of UK Communications for EcoFlow, said: “Allowing plug-and-play solar is a very positive step for expanding access to renewable energy in the UK. Seeing these systems available in stores by summer would be a major win for households, enabling people to take advantage of the longer, brighter days and start generating their own clean electricity straight away.
“For many households – particularly those living in flats or rented homes – solar has not always been straightforward. Plug-and-play systems remove that barrier, making it far easier to get started.”
Plug-in panels do not require installation, so the only upfront cost is the purchase. Panels are currently on the market from about £400.
The Government estimates that a typical UK home could save £70 to £110 a year on their energy bills from plug-in solar, meaning a family could make their money back in around four years.
Wallace-Smith said: “Across Europe, similar technologies are already widely used, helping households reduce energy bills while supporting a more resilient, decentralised energy system… people can generate solar power from small outdoor spaces like balconies, gardens or terraces, without complex installation.”
She added: “With clear standards and the right regulatory framework, the UK now has a real opportunity to bring accessible solar to millions more homes – just in time for summer.”
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