Retail giants join UK government drive to boost ‘plug-in’ balcony solar panels

Bosses of some of Britain’s biggest retailers are discussing plans with the government to start selling plug-in solar panels as part of a drive to encourage more UK homes to generate their own electricity. Executives from brands including Currys, B&Q, Amazon and Lidl met Martin McCluskey, the minister for energy consumers, on Tuesday to discuss guidelines for selling “balcony solar panels” to the British public. The Guardian understands that Asda, Screwfix and Wickes also attended the meeting to discuss how to help people living in flats or rented homes without rooftop access to benefit from the government’s solar power strategy and cut their energy bills. The government first set out plans to help these households join the millions of people across Europe in a similar situation who generate their own electricity with “plug-in” panels in proposals last summer . It expects the devices to be available in stores in the coming months. Plug-in panels can already be found on balconies across Spain and Germany where they are plugged directly into a power socket to generate solar electricity for the household without the need for professional installation. About 1.5m balconies in Germany have DIY panels, known as Balkonkraftwerk (balcony power plant), which help households to save about 30% on their energy bills. They cost between €400-800, with no installation fees required, meaning they pay for themselves within six years. A balcony solar panel in Spain. …