Plug-in solar panels are to be sold by Currys, B&Q, Amazon, Asda, Screwfix, Wickes and Lidl under government plans to bring cheaper renewable energy to UK homes. 

The “low-cost panels”, which are already popular in Europe, can be used on balconies and in outdoor spaces, providing free solar power that can be used directly through a mains socket like any other device. 

The government recently changed regulations to allow UK households to connect 800W+ plug-in solar panels to domestic mains sockets.

Minister for energy consumers Martin McCluskey said: “Plug-in panels can be transformative for renters or those on lower incomes, so I welcome the conversation today with household names such as B&Q and Currys showing a huge amount of support for getting the panels in people’s homes.

“This easy-to-install tech can cut people’s bills and help make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets.”