Plug-in solar panels will be rolled out in UK shops over the coming months, accelerating the government’s drive for clean, homegrown energy in light of the war in Iran.
Plug-in solar will also enable more UK households to save money on their energy bills.
The current conflict highlights that the only route to energy security and sovereignty for the UK is to end dependence on fossil fuel markets and accelerate the drive for clean, homegrown power, as well as new renewables and nuclear.
The government has already taken significant steps to accelerate the transition to clean energy in response to the conflict.
Last week, the government’s annual renewables auction was brought forward to July. The most recent auction was the biggest ever, and together with the previous auction, it has confirmed enough clean energy to power 23 million homes.
How do plug-in solar panels work?
Plug-in solar panels are widely used across Europe, with Germany installing around half a million every year.
The free solar power can be used via a mains socket with no installation costs, thereby reducing the amount drawn from the grid and lowering overall costs.
Retailers like Lidl and Amazon, alongside manufacturers such as EcoFlow, are working with the government to enable them to enter the UK market.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Whether through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops, we are determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.”
Making UK energy cleaner and cheaper
The government has taken decisive action in response to the conflict in the Middle East to fight for consumers and businesses on the cost of living, and is speeding up plans for more clean, homegrown energy that the UK controls to ensure energy sovereignty and security.
This is alongside new rules coming into force today that implement the Future Homes Standard, which includes common sense measures to ensure the majority of new homes are built to be cheaper to run, with solar panels and clean heating as standard.
These measures on new homes could save families up to £830 a year on their energy bills, compared to a standard home with an EPC rating of C.
“Building 1.5 million new homes also means building high-quality homes that are cheaper to run and warmer to live in,” explained Housing Secretary Steve Reed.
“As we make the switch to clean, homegrown energy, today’s standard is what the future of housing can and should look like. Not only will these changes protect hardworking families from shocks abroad, but they will also slash hundreds of pounds off their energy bills every year.”
This will ensure they are more comfortable and affordable, and create at least 75% less carbon emissions than those built to the 2013 standards.
Using windy days to generate more wind energy
Additionally, an innovative approach will launch in time for winter, enabling energy companies to offer customers discounted energy bills on windy days.
Mainly benefiting Scotland and the East of England, bills will be reduced instead of continuing the previous practice of paying wind turbines to turn off.
Historic underinvestment in Britain’s electricity grid means that wind farms in these areas are being paid to switch off on windy days when the network can’t carry all the clean power they produce.
The government will now seek to introduce new legislation to ensure that clean, homegrown power can be discounted for consumers during these times.