'Transformative for renters or those on lower incomes': The plug-in balcony solar revolution just took a step closer in the UK as Asda, Amazon and B&Q have government talks over tech that could cut your bills by 30%

Date:
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:45:34 +0000

Description:
Adding some solar energy to your household mix is about to get much easier if you're in the UK.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Plans are in motion to sell balcony solar panels in the UK Retailers including Amazon, Currys, and Asda are in discussions These devices are expected to start at around 400 While rooftop solar panels can help to slash electricity bills, installing them is an expensive and complicated business problems which new 'plug-in' balcony solar panels, set to hit major UK retailers, are looking to solve.

As reported by The Guardian , these innovative panels simply plug into a regular three-prong plug socket. Anything that's plugged in around the home from fridges to PCs uses the solar energy first before tapping into the
power grid. Representatives from Asda, Currys, B&Q, Amazon , Lidl, Wickes,
and Screwfix have just met with the Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey, to set out guidelines for selling these balcony solar panels. It seems they'll be widely available in the near future, and are expected to start at around 400. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

Official research suggests savings of around 70-110 a year from a single panel, so you'll have to use it for around four years before you get your money back. However, professional installation isn't needed, and nor is planning permission. A regular rooftop solar panels array runs into the thousands of pounds. Coming soon Rooftop solar panels are much more expensive (Image credit: IKEA) "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," said McCluskey , adding that they'll "help make
the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets". You may like Lidl
launches super-cheap solar balcony battery to help cut energy bills Bluetti says home solar power is now plug-and-play I went to the Balco launch to see if its really that simple EcoFlow Stream Ultra X balcony solar battery review

As well as cutting your electricity bills by an estimated 30%, you're also helping the planet of course, and this is part of a wider push by the UK government to add more solar capacity. Official figures say there were
269,000 solar installations across the country during 2025, a new record and
a rise of 37% from the year before.

If you didn't want to feed your captured solar energy straight into your home's electricity circuits, you could invest in a solar battery instead. We've already seen reasonably priced products in this category from Lidl and EcoFlow . Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

There's no fixed timeline, but the aim seems to be to get these panels on
sale as soon as possible, and the UK government is now consulting on safety guidelines. Once they do appear in stores, all you'll need is a spare plug socket and a bit of sunshine. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/transformative-for-renters-or-those-on-lower-in comes-the-plug-in-balcony-solar-revolution-just-took-a-step-closer-in-the-uk-a s-asda-amazon-and-b-and-q-have-government-talks-over-tech-that-could-cut-your- bills-by-30-percent


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)