British households will be able to connect approved plug-in panels
Households across Great Britain will be able to legally purchase plug-in solar panels from August 27 as the Government took down one of the final barriers preventing these products from being sold by high street retailers in the UK. Unlike traditional solar panels, this plug-in version does not need to be installed on the roof.
These panels are known as ‘balcony power plants’ in Europe and can generate electricity from any outdoor space including balconies, terraces or shed roofs. It also doesn’t have to be professionally installed like other bigger solar panels, making it a bit more renter friendly.
The Government estimates making this switch could save some households up to £110 a year on electricity bills. Plug-in solar panels are widely used in parts of Europe and usually include one or two small solar panels and a microinverter to convert the electricity generated by the panels into a safe form that can be fed into the home with a three-pin socket.
This is why the products are currently illegal in the UK as feeding electricity backwards into wall sockets went against traditional UK wiring and safety rules. But the Government is rewriting this legislation and households will be able to legally use the items from August 27.
However, households will still need to consider local planning rules, check their home’s electrical system is compatible, and get permission from landlords or freeholders before installing the panels.
The legal change will allow mainstream retailers like Currys, B&Q and Asda to sell DIY solar setups to people living in flats or rented homes without rooftop access, so they can generate their own solar power from their balconies.
According to the Guardian, Government guidelines that were discussed with retailers earlier this year anticipate the plug-in panels to be priced at around £400 or more. The small solar systems don’t have the same capacity as their larger counterparts so it’s not possible to power an entire home on the ‘balcony power plant’ alone. However, it can reduce bills with the Government estimating a £70 to £110 annual savings.
Households should also be wary that not every plug-in solar panel kit will be automatically legal. The products still have to abide by new product specifications and safety rules in order to be legally used.
According to the Independent, the legal devices will have a maximum output of 800W with only one device allowed per electrical circuit. The legal exemption also only covers solar generation devices and not other plug-in devices that draw electricity from the home and store it to feed back later.
