Plug-in solar panels to be available in UK by end of summer
The UK government has announced the arrival of plug-in solar panels that can be fitted onto balconies to reduce household energy costs.
Expected to be sold in UK stores before the end of summer, the low-cost panels, which are already widely used across Europe, connect directly to a mains socket and can be placed on balconies, roofs or any outdoor space without installation.
Following an announcement by the government in March, recent changes to existing plug and electricity safety regulations in the UK will allow the use of these plug-in solar devices from 27th August.
The new legislation means that UK households, including flat owners and renters, will be able to generate their own electricity and cut energy bills.
New legislation "a major win" for UK households
"Seeing these systems available in stores by summer would be a major win for households, enabling people to take advantage of the longer, brighter days and start generating their own clean electricity straight away," head of UK communications for EcoFlow Lorna Wallace-Smith said.
"For many households – particularly those living in flats or rented homes – solar has not always been straightforward. Plug-and-play systems remove that barrier, making it far easier to get started," Wallace-Smith added.
The move, which was published under the Starmer Labour government, is part of a wider clean energy initiative that aims to reduce the UK's dependency on global fossil fuel markets as energy costs soar amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Solar panels to become standard for new homes
Alongside the legislation, new rules for the Future Homes Standard are set to come into force next March, mandating low-carbon heating and on-site solar panels for the majority of new homes.
According to the government, these new measures could reportedly save households up to £830 a year on energy bills, as well as create 75 per cent less carbon emissions than homes built to the 2013 standards.
"The Future Homes Standard is a landmark moment for clean energy in Britain," Energy UK's chief executive Dhara Vyas said.
"New homes built under this standard will benefit from clean heating solutions and solar, protecting households from volatile gas prices and putting energy security within the home itself," Vyas added.
Other recent sustainability initiatives in the UK include policy changes to the National Planning Policy Framework requiring new builds to be fitted with bird-friendly swift bricks.
Meanwhile, in the US, the American Institute of Architects has "celebrated" a recently passed bill aimed at speeding up the building and access of affordable housing in the country.
The top image is by Ingrid Balabanova via Shutterstock.
The post Plug-in solar panels to be available in UK by end of summer appeared first on Dezeen.
