Each kit produces up to 800W of power, which is said to be enough to provide up to 20% of an average home’s electricity use when the sun is shining.
A solar system on a balcony (Alamy/PA)
Rebecca Speare-Cole3 minutes ago
People can now buy plug-in solar panels in shops and online as rules allowing their sale in the UK come into force.
Retailers will begin selling the technology from Thursday, enabling solar power to run into the home network using an ordinary plug.
Already common in places such as Germany, where people hang them on balconies or fences, the panels can help cut bills by reducing the amount of electricity a household draws from the grid.
Each kit produces up to 800W of power, which is enough to provide up to 20% of an average home’s electricity use when the sun is shining, according to officials.
As they go on sale, ministers say prices could start off higher but they expect them to settle at around £400 to £600 – depending on the size and model – amid growing competition as more models come on to the market.
Households should then be able to recoup this cost over a few years, with savings of up to £110 annually on their bills, Desnz said.
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.”
Argos has confirmed it will begin selling the kits from Thursday, with Amazon expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Currys, B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes are also among retailers that have committed to stocking plug-in panels.
The sale of the technology was previously restricted in the UK because of safety and wiring standards.
