Major British retailers including Currys, B&Q, Amazon, Asda, Screwfix and Wickes are preparing to sell plug-in solar panels following government discussions about bringing the technology to UK consumers. The move aims to make renewable energy accessible to renters and people without roof space, helping households reduce energy bills.
Executives from these retailers met with Martin McCluskey, the minister for energy consumers, to discuss guidelines for selling what are known as "balcony solar panels." The panels represent a simpler alternative to traditional rooftop installations, allowing people living in flats or rented homes to generate their own electricity.
The panels work by sitting on balconies, terraces, sheds or other outdoor spaces. They plug directly into a standard three-prong power socket in a home's electrical circuit. When an appliance is switched on, it uses the solar power first before drawing electricity from the grid, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
These systems typically have a capacity of around 800 watts, roughly one-fifth of the size of a conventional residential rooftop solar installation. While they cannot power a house independently, government research suggests a household could save between 70 and 110 pounds annually. Plug-in systems are expected to cost around 400 pounds, meaning households would recover their initial investment within four to seven years.
The technology is not new to Europe. About 1.5 million balconies in Germany already have DIY solar panels, known as Balkonkraftwerk or "balcony power plants." Similar uptake has occurred in Spain. The UK government first announced plans to introduce these panels last summer, expecting them to become available in shops within months.
McCluskey said plug-in panels could be "transformative for renters or those on lower incomes" and welcomed retailers' support for getting the technology into homes. He noted that the "easy-to-install tech can cut people's bills and help make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets."
Graham Bell, chief executive of B&Q, stated the retailer was "working closely with government and suppliers to understand and help shape the guidance, ensuring any products we offer are safe, compliant and straightforward to install." B&Q already sells portable solar devices that charge batteries and aims to offer plug-in systems "as soon as possible."
The government's push for plug-in solar forms part of a broader renewable energy strategy. Plans include increasing UK solar capacity from 18 gigawatts currently to between 45 and 47 gigawatts by decade's end, enough to power roughly 12 million typical UK homes. Ministers are also exploring solar installations on warehouse rooftops, industrial buildings and large outdoor car park canopies to help achieve these targets.