UK Retailers and Government Promote Plug-In Solar Panels

On 16 June 2026, senior executives from Currys, B&Q, Amazon, Asda, Screwfix and Wickes met with Martin McCluskey, the UK minister for energy consumers, to discuss guidelines for selling plug-in balcony solar panels to renters and flat-dwelling households lacking rooftop access, aligning retail distribution with the government’s plug-in solar strategy.

The Guardian

Announced in summer 2025, the plug-in solar plan supports the UK goal of near-zero carbon electricity by 2030. That year, 269,000 new solar installations—a 33 % increase—were recorded, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband set a target of 45-47 GW of solar capacity by 2030, up from 18 GW.

The Guardian

Plug-in panels produce up to 800 W—about one-fifth of a typical rooftop system. Government estimates annual household savings of £70-£110. Retail price is around £400, giving a payback of four to seven years. Similar DIY units (Balkonkraftwerk) are already on 1.5 million German balconies.

The Guardian

The technology provides a low-cost way for renters and low-income households to lower bills and cut reliance on imported fossil fuels. Scaling plug-in panels alongside larger solar installations on warehouses and car-port canopies could add up to 15 GW if 20 % of UK warehouses adopt them, supporting the 2030 carbon-free target.

The Guardian

Minister Martin McCluskey called plug-in panels potentially transformative for renters and lower-income households. B&Q chief executive Graham Bell said the retailer is working with the government and suppliers to ensure products are safe, compliant and easy to install, and that they will be available as soon as possible. The government reaffirmed its aim for 45-47 GW of solar capacity by 2030.

The Guardian

All cost and savings figures are drawn from government research; independent verification is not cited. No criticism or opposing viewpoints were reported in the sources.

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• “Photograph: Ronald Rampsch/Alamy 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.” — Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers

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• “working closely with government and suppliers to understand and help shape the guidance, ensuring any products we offer are safe, compliant and straightforward to install” — Graham Bell, CEO, B&Q

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• “as soon as possible” — Graham Bell, CEO, B&Q

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

The Guardian

The government will finalize safety and compliance guidelines as retailers stock the devices. Plug-in panels are expected on store shelves within weeks, and the clean-power plan will keep promoting large-scale solar on warehouses and car-port canopies to meet the 2030 renewable target.

The Guardian