Plug-in solar panel kits will go on sale in Great Britain from Thursday 27 August, following a rule change confirmed by the Labour government led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Retailers including B&Q, Currys, Lidl, Wickes and Amazon are preparing to sell the low-cost devices, which shoppers can install themselves.
Retailers line up to sell balcony solar kits
The first wave of plug-in solar panels will be available from major high street and online retailers. Andrew Moore, founder of British solar panel brand UKSOL, confirmed: “We are working towards making the initial products available from 27 August.”
Electrical Safety First, a consumer safety charity, is urging shoppers to purchase only from reputable high street retailers and their official websites to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The charity's technical director, Luke Osborne, advises people to “avoid buying these devices from third-party sellers on online marketplaces.”
Osborne warned: “These platforms are now not legally responsible for the safety of goods sold via their sites, exposing people to substandard versions that may put you and your home at risk.”
Cost savings and payback periods
Matt Parry from the Renewable Energy Association, a trade body for renewable energy, described the kits as a gamechanger. “It democratises solar and gives everyone the chance to get it,” he said.
Parry explained the financial benefits: “It will give you back, at worst, £40 a year, and at the best about £110. If it’s the worst-case scenario, it’s going to pay for itself in 10 years, but at the best-case scenario, it’s four.” He noted that an 800W system only reaches that output at peak conditions.
However, Parry acknowledged a timing drawback: “The slight downside is that plug-in solar is hitting the markets as the summer’s coming to an end. It’s going to be more use in May next year.”
Landlord safety concerns raised
Meera Chindooroy, deputy director of campaigns, public affairs and policy at the National Residential Landlords Association, said the organisation supports the “principle of tenants benefiting from plug-in solar panels,” but added that “landlords would first need to be satisfied that the panels meet all required safety standards.”
Chindooroy stressed: “It would not be right for landlords to be held responsible for the safety of equipment they were not asked about in the first place.” The rule change takes effect from 27 August, with the first products expected to ship that day.
