British Gas is offering households the chance to win plug-in solar units worth around £500 each, following a UK law change that made the devices legal to use and buy across the country. The energy supplier says the gadgets could hand households up to £110 a year off their energy bills.
The law changed on August 27, with the Labour Party government saying the easy-to-install panels can be plugged into homes across the country, saving households up to £110 a year on their bills through clean, homegrown power.
Competition open until September 16
Households can enter the British Gas competition by registering their interest in purchasing plug-in solar kit from British Gas on the website. Winners will be selected from those that register their interest before September 16, British Gas has confirmed.
Winners will be selected and notified between September 17 and September 30, the firm, which is rivalled by EDF, EON, Ovo and Octopus, added.
What the law change means for households
John Evans, Commercial Director at British Gas, said: "For a long time, generating your own solar power has meant having the right roof, the right home and the ability to make a significant investment upfront.
"Plug-in solar is now opening up another option for households who want to start generating their own electricity."
He added: "We want to help more people take that first step, which is why we're giving 30 households the chance to win a plug-in solar unit.
"For us, it's about giving people more choice and control over how they generate and use their energy."
Eligible customers can earn from surplus energy
Mr Evans continued: "And for eligible British Gas customers, there's the opportunity to go one step further.
"In the next few weeks, customers can receive payments for eligible surplus electricity they export to the grid – meaning the energy they generate can potentially work harder for them."
Labour Party Minister Martin McCluskey, Minister for Local Energy and Jobs, said: "From today these easy-to-install panels can be plugged into homes with no installation cost and provide up to 20% of average home electricity use.
"The lucky winners of this competition will be able to save hundreds of pounds on their bills, along with households across the country - good luck to all those entering!"
