UK retailers join plug‑in solar rollout to cut household energy bills

The UK government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is advancing a program that will let homeowners self‑install plug‑in solar panels, a move aimed at reducing consumer energy costs. At a round‑table, ministers and major retailers—including B&Q, Currys, Amazon, Lidl, Asda, Screwfix and Wickes—discussed how the easy‑to‑install technology can help families save up to £480 a month, particularly renters and low‑income households.

Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey highlighted the panels’ potential to lessen reliance on global fossil‑fuel markets, while company spokespeople stressed the safety consultation, the ability to mount panels on balconies or outdoor spaces, and the broader contribution to the UK’s net‑zero goals.