Energy Secretary Ed Miliband
However, some caution has been expressed by the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) with regards to this scheme.
The plan is to rollout the low-cost panels that families can put on their balconies or outdoor space. The government wants these to be available in shops within months.
Retailers like Lidl and Iceland, alongside manufacturers such as EcoFlow, are working with government to enable them to be brought to the UK market.
solar is already widely used by households across Europe, with Germany seeing around half a million new devices plugged in per year.
The free solar power can be used directly through a mains socket like any other device, without an installation cost, thereby reducing the amount of electricity taken from the grid and cutting energy bills.
The easy-to-install technology may save households significant amounts on their energy bills and help make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets.
This is alongside new rules now coming into force implementing the Future Homes Standard, which includes common-sense measures to ensure the majority of new homes are built cheaper to run, with solar panels and clean heating as standard.
The government believes these measures on new homes could save families up to £830 a year on their energy bills, compared to a standard home with an EPC rating of C. This will ensure they are more comfortable and affordable – and create at least 75% less carbon emissions than those built to the 2013 standards.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The government is determined to fight people’s corner in this crisis, which is why we have acted to prevent unfair practices like price gouging and provided immediate help for the most vulnerable facing spiralling heating oil prices.
“The Iran War has once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don’t control.
“Whether through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops, we are determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.”
However, the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has expressed ‘significant concern’ about plug-in solar panels.
Gary Parker, head of technical at ECA, said: “Support for decarbonisation must never come at the expense of electrical safety, fire safety, or public confidence in the built environment.
“‘Plug-in solar’ products, are not fit for purpose within the UK’s safety-led electrical framework and should not be encouraged”.