UK to legalize plug-in balcony solar panels from August 27

UKbalcony solar panelsBalkonkraftwerkSolar Energy UKChris HewettCurrysB&QAsda

Sources

2outlets

TGEN

Coverage

2articles

From August 27, UK households will be able to buy and install plug-in balcony solar panels without professional installation, following a legal change that brings the UK in line with countries like Germany and Spain. The DIY solar kits, expected to retail for at least £400, can shave up to £110 off annual energy bills Source: The Guardian.

How it works

The panels, capped at 800W output, plug into a standard three-prong wall socket and feed electricity directly into the home's circuit Source: Engadget.
Retailers including Currys, B&Q, and Asda are preparing to sell the setups, which are particularly beneficial for renters and flat dwellers without rooftop access Source: The Guardian.

Industry and government response

Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK, said the move will bring "cheap, clean power to households that have not been able to access these benefits before" Source: The Guardian. The government is also reportedly considering bulk-buying plug-in batteries for low-income homes to further reduce bills Source: The Guardian.

No significant disagreements between sources were noted; both report the same effective date and general specifications.

Sources

3 quotes

The Guardian↗

“British households will be able to buy plug-in solar panels later this summer after the government changed the law so the UK’s biggest retailers could bring them to market for the first time.”

Engadget↗

“After that point, it will be legal for people to buy an approved plug-in solar kit, complete with micro-inverter, and just plug it in to a wall socket.”

The Guardian↗

“These plug-in panels have in recent years become familiar sights on balconies in Spain and in Germany, where they are known as Balkonkraftwerk (balcony power plant).”