Plug-in solar panels can legally be sold in Great Britain from today (27 August), opening the door to a new retail category that could bring small-scale renewable energy to households unable – or unwilling – to install conventional rooftop solar.
The regulatory change means compliant plug-in solar systems can now be connected to a suitable household socket without the need for professional installation. The systems are designed to be placed in gardens, balconies or other suitable outdoor spaces, with a maximum AC output of 800W under the new framework.
The change has been several months in the making. In March, the government announced plans to make plug-in solar available in shops, highlighting its potential to help households reduce energy bills and make the UK less reliant on fossil fuels. At the time, Lidl and Iceland were among the retailers working with the government, alongside manufacturers including EcoFlow.
A consultation launched in June sought views on the proposed regulatory changes and an interim product specification, with the government subsequently confirming it would proceed. The final framework sets minimum technical and safety requirements, meaning only products meeting the specification can benefit from the new route to market.
The result is a potentially significant new retail opportunity. Amazon, Asda, B&Q, Currys, Lidl, Screwfix and Wickes have all been involved in discussions with the government, representing almost 4,000 stores alongside substantial online reach. Meanwhile online retail Maplin also sees a great new sales opportunity, with CEO Ollie Marshall telling Green Retail World last month that it represented “the miniaturisation and consumerisation of solar”.
Seeds of Change interview: Maplin CEO Ollie Marshall on the plug-in solar revolution
Here is what some retailers have said about the arrival of plug-in solar, this week.
Amazon: Making renewable energy more accessible
John Boumphrey, UK & Ireland country manager at Amazon, said: “Amazon is the largest corporate buyer of carbon-free energy in the UK, and we’ve invested in 50 solar and wind projects to date. The government’s announcement on plug-in solar panels is a practical step that gives households a simple way to generate their own power, reduce bills, and contribute to the UK’s net zero goals. We’re looking forward to helping customers benefit from this technology.”
Argos: Power in the hands of customers
Graham Biggart, managing director for Argos, said: “We’re really pleased to now offer plug-in solar panels for Argos customers. By making this technology more accessible, we’re putting more power in the hands of our customers and helping them explore practical ways to manage energy use at home.
“As a brand trusted by millions of customers across the UK, we’re proud to bring innovative products like this to more homes and give customers greater confidence and choice when it comes to emerging home technologies.”
Wickes: Putting solar within reach of more households
David Wood, CEO of Wickes, said: “By giving people a simpler and more affordable way to generate clean energy at home, this technology has the potential to put solar within reach of many more households.
“With the UK having some of the oldest and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe, making energy-saving technologies easier to access will be an important part of helping people reduce their energy bills and supporting the transition to a lower-carbon future. We look forward to making these products available online to our customers in the coming weeks.”
Currys: An important step for consumers
Michelle Gorringe-Smith, director of new categories at Currys, commented: “The safe roll-out of plug-in solar products represents an important step in supporting consumers with ways to save money on their energy bills.
“We’ll continue to work closely with DESNZ and our suppliers to make these products available to UK households as soon as possible, including through both our website and larger stores.”
With the regulatory barrier now removed, attention will turn to how quickly retailers can translate their involvement in the government’s programme into products on shelves and online.
For retailers, plug-in solar represents an unusual opportunity to bring renewable energy into mainstream retail in a format that sits somewhere between consumer electronics, DIY and home energy. For consumers, particularly renters and people living in properties unsuitable for rooftop solar, it could provide a considerably simpler route into generating their own electricity.
The next stage will be seeing which retailers move first – and how the category develops as more compliant products enter the market.
[image credit: Green Retail World]
