Lidl is set to offer plug-in solar panels in its middle aisle, as the UK government moves to make the technology easier for households to adopt. The discount retailer, along with Iceland and solar brand EcoFlow, is working with ministers to bring approved plug-in solar kits to the British market.
Plug-in solar panels, also known as balcony solar panels, are small kits that generate electricity without the need for scaffolding or major building work. A typical kit includes one or more solar panels and a microinverter, designed for balconies, patios, or garden walls. They are particularly appealing to renters and flat owners.
The government estimates that households could save around £70 to £110 a year on energy bills, depending on factors such as sunlight exposure and daytime electricity use. A kit costing £400 to £500 could pay for itself in four to seven years under favourable conditions.
However, experts caution that plug-in solar panels are not a like-for-like alternative to rooftop installations. They generate far less electricity and will not take a home off-grid. Consumers are advised to wait for UK-approved products and follow manufacturer instructions carefully, rather than buying imported kits with different electrical standards.
