The government has announced that ‘plug-in’ solar panels could be available in shops within months, as they step up their efforts to help households. Cut their energy bills.
The announcement was made last week (March 23). New rules to build solar panels and clean heating standards in new homes. ‘Plug-in’ solar panels are aimed at existing homeowners as an affordable alternative to installing solar panels.
Solar panel installation A big expense can come with such brands Next to E.ON Quoting £4,995 as a starting rate for a small solar system. ‘Plug-in’ solar panels, in contrast, are easy-to-install options that can be plugged into a normal plug and mounted on a fence or balcony.
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These ‘plug-in’ solar panels are already widely used in homes across Europe. In Germany, it’s common, with half a million new devices plugged in every year. There are no installation costs involved as it is simply plugged into a household socket, and then the free solar power can be used directly through the mains socket like any other appliance.
Current UK regulations prohibit this type of solar panel from being plugged into household sockets. But the government has said it is working with manufacturers such as EcoFlow, along with retailers such as Lidl and Iceland, to make it available in the UK market.
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 modernize 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.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Chris Norbury, chief executive of E.ON UK, added, ‘Cutting the red tape on plug-in solar is an encouraging step forward, and we will help ensure it works alongside or as part of whole-home solutions that truly empower people to take control of their energy use and cut bills.
This i paper reported that Sainsbury’s, Currys and John Lewis Several other companies are considering supplying panels to stores if the rules change. Plug-in panels cost around £400, and the government estimates that a typical UK household could save £70 to £110 a year on their energy bills with one, so they should pay for themselves in around 4 years.
While they are more affordable Cost of a standard solar panel systemThey also generate less energy as they are significantly smaller. Positioning the panel is also important to ensure it is getting maximum daylight to function efficiently.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said of the new rules implementing future home building standards: ‘The Iran war has shown once again that our drive for clean energy is essential to our energy security, so that we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets that we do not control.’
‘Whether it’s through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to buy plug-in solar in shops, we are committed to delivering clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.’
So if you’ve been considering solar panels, but can’t afford the installation, in a few months, a cheaper option could be landing in the middle of Lidl.
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