B&Q, Lidl, Currys, Wickes, and other major retailers have welcomed a new government rule that could save households up to £480 on energy bills through plug-in solar panels. Amazon, Asda, B&Q, Currys, Screwfix, and Wickes are working with the Labour government to promote the technology, which offers a cheaper route for consumers to reduce their energy costs.
Self-Installation Rules
The new regulations, announced earlier this year, will allow UK homeowners to self-install plug-in solar panels in the coming months. These low-cost panels can be placed on balconies or in any outdoor space, providing free solar power that can be used directly through a mains socket without installation costs, reducing the amount of electricity taken from the grid.
Industry Support
Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, said: "We welcome the introduction of plug-in solar panels to the UK market, which will help households to generate their own energy and reduce their bills. This builds on our existing range of portable solar and battery solutions. We are 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. We look forward to making plug-in solar available to our customers as soon as possible."
Martin McCluskey, a Labour government minister, commented: "Plug-in panels can be transformative for renters or those on lower incomes, so I welcome the conversation today with household names such as B&Q and Currys showing a huge amount of support for getting the panels in people's homes. This easy-to-install tech can cut people's bills and help make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets."
Georgina Hall, corporate affairs director at Lidl GB, added: "At Lidl GB, we want to make sustainable choices affordable and accessible to every household which is why we are supporting DESNZ's latest steps toward modernising regulations for 'plug-and-play' technology. By establishing a clear, robust framework to bring plug-in solar to market safely and efficiently, it could unlock a highly effective, low-cost route for people to reduce their energy bills. We welcome this consultation and look forward to working alongside the government and industry partners to explore how these products can safely play their role in the UK's clean energy revolution."
