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See how much these handy devices could reduce your household bills by each year
BRIT households are set to be able to buy a bargain gadget within months – and it could slash your yearly energy bills.
Here’s everything you need to know about plug-in solar panels and how they work.
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Also known as balcony solar or plug-and-play solar, these compact solar panels can be placed in a garden, on a balcony, or in any outdoor space that gets good sunlight.
The big selling point is simplicity – there is no need for a professional electrician or rooftop installation.
Once positioned, the panel is connected to a micro-inverter that converts energy from direct current to alternating current, with electricity fed into the home through a standard mains socket.
So after buying one and placing it somewhere with good sunlight, you can just plug them straight into your wall like any other electronic device.
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The power generated feeds directly into the home’s electrical system, reducing the amount of electricity drawn from the grid – and cutting the bill.
They do not store electricity, so any energy produced is used in real time by whatever appliances happen to be running.
Traditional solar panels cost between £5,000 and £8,000 to install, but can help households cut their bills by supplying free solar energy.
Plug-in panels are far cheaper because no professional installation is required.
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Bargain retailers to sell plug-in solar panels to help cut energy bills by £110
They are currently available from around £400, though it is hoped that retailers will bring that price down further.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) estimates a typical UK home could save £70 to £110 a year using plug-in solar panels, and that they will be available in shops “within months”.
Manufacturer EcoFlow said it hopes people will be using the panels by summer.
Until now, plug-in solar panels have been banned in the UK due to electrical safety regulations and grid connection standards.
The technology has been widely used across Europe for years, with Germany alone seeing more than 426,000 new devices registered in 2025.
Retailers including Lidl and Amazon are working with the government to bring the panels to market.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The government is determined to fight people’s corner in this crisis, which is why we have acted to prevent unfair practices like price gouging and provided immediate help for the most vulnerable facing spiralling heating oil prices.
“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.
“Whether through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops, we are determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.”
The rollout forms part of a wider government push on clean energy, which also saw new Future Homes Standard regulations come into force on March 24.
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These require the majority of new homes to be built with solar panels and clean heating as standard, saving families up to £830 a year compared to a typical home.
They would also create at least 75 per cent less carbon emissions than those built to 2013 standards.
SWITCHING to solar can save the average home up to £1,200 a year on energy bills.
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But finding a contractor to carry out the work can be a big hurdle, but that’s where OVO Solar & Heating comes in.
OVO Solar & Heating has a network of knowledgeable local experts to carry out the installation, and is currently running an exclusive promotion to help homeowners get started.
If you order a system with eight or more panels, OVO will provide two of those panels for FREE, including standard installation and VAT.
How plug in solar panels work
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