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UK legalizes plug-in solar panels for DIY shops and high street retailers
The government expects one-panel kits to start at £699 and says research points to annual energy bill savings of £70 to £110, though payments for excess power are unlikely.
The UK government has changed rules to allow plug-in solar panels to be legally sold, with products set to appear in DIY stores and high street retailers from Thursday, according to BBC Business.
The government said the panels are significantly cheaper than rooftop systems and can be installed without an electrician, but it cautioned customers to have wiring checked by a professional before purchase. It is also positioning the move as a way to reduce reliance on overseas fuel sources after recent energy price volatility tied to the Middle East conflict.
Prices cited in the coverage include £699 for a one-panel kit and £1,089 for two panels, with the government expecting competition to bring prices down to the £400 to £600 range. It said households could save between £70 and £110 per year on energy bills, depending on panel orientation and how long the system runs.
The article also notes limitations versus rooftop solar: these plug-in systems do not need Microgeneration Certification Scheme certification, so they normally do not qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee that pays for excess power. A microinverter limits output to 800 watts, which the government says is enough to cover always-on appliances and about a fifth of an average home’s power.