Lidl is poised to sell a gadget which could shave up to £240 off energy bills. The supermarket giant is one of a number of retailers selling plug-in batteries that store extra power from solar panels and off-peak electricity, which can be used at peak periods to save money. But while the batteries are on sale on the continent, they aren't currently available in Britain.
Government study underway
Ministers are looking into making the plug-in batteries legal in this country after allowing plug-in solar panels to go on sale, The i Paper reports. According to the same publication, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is believed to be commissioning a study on the safety of the batteries. It could be completed by March 2028.
After the study ends, it could take another two years to legislate for the change. If the batteries are approved for sale in the UK, they could help households save on energy bills.
Potential savings and costs
Thinktank Regen said it would take about two years for an average household to recoup the cost of the batteries. Over a decade, households could save up to £2,400, which works out at £240 per year. The average is based on comparing a single 3 kWh plug-in battery on Octopus Go's time-of-use tariff with the same household without a battery on a flat-rate tariff.
Lidl sells a plug-in solar battery under its Tronic brand, which is priced at around £260 (€299) in Germany via the retailer's app.
Current plug-in solar panel rules
A spokesperson for DESNZ said: "We will keep building the evidence base on plug-in batteries and will provide further updates in due course."
The Government changed the rules to allow plug-in solar panels to go on sale in the UK this summer. Ministers hope they will help households save money. Current regulations allow one plug-in device per property, with prices ranging from £700 to £1,000. The panels benefit households that use the energy when it is light outside, since the electricity must be used when it is generated.
Energy not used by the plug-in panels will flow back into the grid. Output to households is limited to 800 watts for safety reasons.
Safety advice for consumers
Brits have been advised by consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First, to only buy from established retailers and not sellers listed on online marketplaces. The charity also recommends having your home's electrical system checked by a registered electrician before purchasing any plug-in solar panels.
