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- Plug-in solar panels can now be bought in the UK as new legislation comes into effect
- Law change comes after heavy testing to fit into UK wiring
- Households can save £110 a year
Households across the UK can now plug-in solar panels into their homes as the much-awaited legislation comes into effect.
According to the government, the now fully-legal solar panel kits could cover 20% of a household’s annual energy needs. They can run a typical fridge, TV, phone charger, and even Wi-Fi router and Xbox S.
Ministers estimate that the average household could save £110 a year, but some industry insiders have told The Eco Experts that this figure could be much higher.
Each plug-in solar kit produces a maximum of 800W of power, which is the 20% the government talks about, and they come with no installation cost and means you can generate energy without relying on the grid.
Plug-in solar panels’ new availability comes after “rigorous, independent safety testing, covering all electrical elements” to make them safe and compatible with UK wiring.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh described plug-in solar as “a simple, affordable way for households to take control of their energy bills and start saving straight away”.
“From this summer, we’re giving more families the ability power their homes with clean homegrown energy,” she said.
Major retailers, such as Currys, B&Q, Screwfix and Amazon have worked with government on the rollout of plug-in solar and will soon have them available to purchase in stores and online.