You've done the research, found out where you can buy your legally-approved plug-in solar panels and now it's just a case of waiting for them to be delivered.

But where are you going to put them? If you're keen to keep the outdoor space at the back of your home free for family use, you might be considering your front garden instead.

However, it's worth reading this advice first as it might not be quite as practical as you think. From planning to safety, here are the three main things you need to consider.

1. Planning rules may make your front garden unsuitable

Although adding plug-in solar panels to your home will generally fall under permitted development (PD), there are exceptions. Timber surfaces change the rules, and with guidance around sizes, boundaries, flat dwellers and types of property all needing consideration too, it's vital you understand what is and isn't allowed when it comes to front garden placement.

Height, elevations and boundaries all matter

While one of the issues regarding plug-in solar panels in front gardens is their impact on the property and surrounding area, there are also height limits that must be adhered to, as Simon Rix, director and founder of Planix.uk Planning Consultants and regular planning columnist for Homebuilding & Renovating explains.

"While plug-in solar arrays offer an accessible route to generating micro-renewables, placing them in a front garden brings strict statutory limits into play. Under permitted development rules, ground-mounted equipment installed forward of the principal elevation must not exceed one metre in height if positioned within five metres of any boundary.

"Given that most front gardens are relatively compact, keeping a portable array under that one-metre threshold while ensuring it catches sufficient sunlight without triggering a need for full planning permission can be a real balancing act," says Simon.

So, "while permitted development technically allows standalone solar up to four metres high in rear or side gardens (provided it is more than five metres from a boundary), in a typical front garden setting where space is constrained and highway proximity is a factor, a four-metre high array would almost never comply without formal planning permission."

And, if you live in a conservation area, your front garden will likely never be an option he continues. "In designated Conservation Areas or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), permitted development rights for solar installed forward of the principal elevation facing a highway are usually restricted or removed altogether."

Flat-dwellers face a hard no for front garden installation

Those ground-floor flat owners hoping to reduce their energy bills with plug-in solar also need to reconsider their plans if a front garden is their only outdoor space, warns Simon Rix.

"Flat dwellers and homeowners in protected areas face a much tougher hurdle. Permitted development rights for standalone solar generally do not extend to flats, and in Conservation Areas, placing equipment closer to the public highway than the main building almost always requires formal planning permission.

"Before setting up a plug-in panel out front, residents should check whether their property retains its permitted development rights or if local Article 4 directions apply, as visible front-of-house additions are closely scrutinised by local planning authorities. I recommend asking a planning consultant about this," recommends Simon, "as we will know the specific rules for your location."

2. Safety and security make the front garden less practical

Let's say you do have space to put your plug-in solar panels in your front garden without breaking planning rules. It then comes down to questions of safety and practicality.

While it may seem better to locate them where there's less opportunity for them to be damaged by children playing, or inquisitive pets, your front garden nonetheless is the main entry and exit point for every visitor to your home.

From invited to uninvited guests, everyone will see your plug-in solar panels. And, while their temporary nature is what makes them more practical for some homes, the very fact they are moveable makes them an easy target for anyone looking to steal them.

Given home insurance rules relating to plug-in solar panels are also likely to change as providers watch how this new tech is adopted and used, it's easy to imagine how you may also find yourself with increased premiums if a front garden location is deemed as more 'risky.'

Home security may need to be altered or even certain types of approved and secure mounts may become mandatory.

Location of plug sockets

There's also the issue of electrics and plug sockets to take into account in your front garden. Plug-in solar panels must be plugged directly into an appropriate socket that's wired into your main electrical system. Extension leads are not suitable, and neither is running a plug through a window indoors.

So if you don't have a fully waterproof external plug socket installed on the front of your home, it's another expense you might have to account for on top of the cost of your plug-in solar panels.

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3. Will plug-in solar damage your kerb appeal or annoy your neighbours?

And last, but certainly not least, there's the important issue of kerb appeal and how your neighbours feel about plug-in solar panels in your front garden.

Even though they may be temporary, there's no questioning the impact plug-in solar panels in a front garden will have on the look and feel of your home – particularly during this early adoption stage where panels are often larger than expected. You can't cover them – they need daylight to work, and while you may be able to position them in such a way that you could try placing some screening plants around them, they still need to be accessible for cleaning and maintenance.

But what about your neighbours? What grounds do they have to complain if your solar panels go in your front garden? Or, what if you find yourself on the opposite side of the fence so to speak, and are concerned your neighbour's new plug-in solar panels are breaching the rules?

“The best advice if you are not happy with a solar installation in your neighbour’s garden is to report the matter in the first instance to the local planning department," advises Joe Pepper, partner at Bridge McFarland LLP.

"The planning officers will be able to assess if the solar installation is lawful under current rules at no cost to you. Failing that it might possible that a new solar installation is being built in breach of covenants (private restrictions affecting land use) but investigating and potentially enforcing covenants if you have a right to do so is a much more expensive and complicated process.”

What is important to recognise is that if you, or your neighbour has adhered to the rules, there are no grounds to complain purely on the grounds of aesthetics.

Realising your front garden is not the place for your plug-in solar panels? Try these front garden ideas for inspiration instead, and why not give your front door a makeover at the same time using the best front door paint to boost your kerb appeal.

Despite not being able to buy plug-in solar panels myself as I live in a first-floor flat with no outdoor space, I've been looking into them for months now as part of my job. As a result, I've learnt some key facts I think are worth sharing.

It's easy to jump on the bandwagon, assuming that as they are only a plug-in item you won't have any problem installing them, but cut through the noise and it's clear they aren't for everyone.

From planning rules to plug sockets, here's what you need to consider before you hand over your hard-earned cash for plug-in solar panels.

1. Mounting plug-in solar on timber will require planning permission

Although legally certified plug-in solar panels shouldn't be a risk to your home, where you mount them is still subject to restrictions.

Permitted development is often sufficient for solar panels, including plug-in ones, but since they have been legalised, the Town and Country Planning Act has been updated to reflect some new conditions. It now states that it does not apply: "in the case of plug-in solar, where any part of the plug-in solar would be installed on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure or on any part of the exterior of a dwellinghouse where that part is clad in timber."

And it's for good reason too, explains Jon Skinner, founder of home energy company Glow Homes. “A sunny garden fence might look like the perfect home for a solar panel, but that does not mean it is safe or permitted. Timber cladding, timber balconies and other wooden surfaces can present fire, structural and planning issues, so this is not the place for a weekend DIY experiment.

“The mounting system is just as important as the panel," he continues, it must be designed for that particular product and capable of dealing with years of rain, frost and strong winds. If your plan involves spare brackets, a few screws from the shed and crossed fingers, stop and get proper advice.”

And, if your garden wall forms part of your boundary, there's also a risk you could face neighbour disputes if your panels cause a disturbance or damage to your wall – something every homeowner would rather avoid.

2. Rooftop solar and plug-in solar are not pieces of Lego

Think you can boost your energy efficiency and add some floor-mounted plug-in solar panels to your garden, as well as benefiting from the ones on your roof? Don't bother say experts – for several reasons.

“If you already have rooftop solar panels, you cannot assume that you can simply plug in another panel and carry on. Solar systems are not pieces of Lego. Your existing installation is already generating electricity and interacting with both the house and the wider network," explains Jon Skinner.

“Speak to your original installer and local network operator before spending any money. Plug-in solar is primarily designed to open the door for households that cannot have a conventional rooftop system, not as a casual bolt-on for homes that already have one," he expands.

How will anyone know? Even though plug-in panels are a temporary, rather than permanent fixture, you're still legally bound to report them to your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO). If you aren't sure how to do this, then going with an existing energy supplier, such as the plug-in panels being offered by Octopus might be a good idea as they can help guide you through the process.

3. Don't underestimate the size of the panels

While you can't try plug-in solar before you buy, you should absolutely size before you buy them as some models are bigger than you might expect. How do I know given I can't have them? When our content editor, Megan Milstead, was sent some to review, the photo she shared of them unpacked in her living room was met with gasps from myself and the rest of the team.

When the new technology was first announced, many referred to it as balcony solar, meaning it's perhaps easy to understand the confusion.

“People hear ‘plug-in’ or ‘balcony solar’ and picture something the size of a laptop," picks up Jon Skinner. "In reality, some products use panels much closer in size to those seen on rooftops. That can be quite a shock when a very large box arrives at the front door.

“Measure the space, the access route and the panel itself," he recommends. "Then consider whether you can position and secure it without blocking doors, windows or escape routes. A panel that technically fits but takes over half of a small garden is not a sensible installation."

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4. The socket you plug into matters more than you think

Plug-in solar panels work in a similar way to rooftop solar but differ in that they come with a micro solar inverter which allows you to plug them directly into a socket. Phil Steele, future technologies evangelist at Octopus Energy explains more.

"The panels generate DC (direct current) electricity from sunlight. A micro-inverter then converts this into AC (alternating current) electricity – the type of electricity used by households and the electricity grid.

"The system automatically synchronises with the household’s electricity supply. Customers plug the system into a standard three-pin socket, and the electricity then flows into the home’s electrical circuit to help power appliances like fridges or TVs."

However, the type of socket you plug into holds a lot of importance.

“If the supplied cable does not reach the socket, an extension lead is not the answer," starts Jon Skinner. "Plug-in solar must use the manufacturer-supplied plug and connect directly to a suitable socket. Multi-way adaptors, travel adaptors and improvised cable arrangements are also out.

“For an outdoor connection, both the plug and outdoor socket need the correct protection against the British weather. If the right socket is not already in the right place, ask an electrician to install or assess one. Moving the socket is safer than trying to stretch the solar system towards it,” he advises.

Secondly, make sure that socket isn't old as well, adds Jon. “The solar technology may be brand new, but the socket it is connected to could be decades old. A loose, cracked, discoloured or damaged socket needs attention before a plug-in solar system goes anywhere near it," he warns.

“If you have older wiring, an ageing consumer unit or any uncertainty about the electrical condition of the property, get an electrician to take a look. Plug-in solar is meant to make generating electricity simpler. It does not make tired household wiring young again.”

5. Don't view them as a stand-alone energy source

Any energy savings you can make are of course a bonus, but as Jon Skinner states, you should think of plug-in solar panels as a gateway introduction, rather than a one-stop solution.

"Plug-in solar panels are a bit like using an umbrella during a rain shower: they are useful, affordable and accessible, but should not be mistaken for a permanent solution. An umbrella works. It keeps most of the rain off you, it is affordable and you can use it immediately. But you wouldn’t mistake it for properly weatherproofing your house," he expands.

“Plug-in solar is similar. It can be genuinely useful in its own right and a very good introduction to renewable energy, but it isn’t the same as designing permanent energy infrastructure around a home.

“The important thing is that we don’t confuse an introduction to solar with a complete long-term home energy system," he continues. "Both can have value, but they serve different purposes.”

Jon Skinner's final advice? A UK plug is not a UK safety certificate to installing plug-in solar panels without any comeback.

“Homeowners will inevitably find cheap plug-in solar kits on overseas marketplaces, but the presence of a three-pin plug does not prove that the system is approved for use in Britain. Look for clear UK compliance information, proper instructions and an approved, type-tested inverter so that you buy legally approved plug-in solar panels.

“This is a small power station connected directly to your home’s electrical system. Saving a little money on an unverified product is a poor trade if the instructions are vague, the certification cannot be checked or the seller disappears the moment something goes wrong," he warns. And, when the rules surrounding plug-in solar and home insurance are also yet to be completely defined, it's wise to start on the right foot so you don't encounter any problems in the future.

Since plug-in solar was legalised at the end of August, the question on many homeowners' lips is 'where can you buy plug-in solar panels?'

While high-street retailers, including well-known stores such as Lidl and B&Q, were involved in early talks about distribution, as yet, not all of them have launched plug-in solar panels in-store or online. And, when you do an internet search for plug-in solar, all kinds of options appear, including portable kits for camping.

Add to this the fact that they have to be legally compliant – and the fact not all of them can be delivered until later in the year – it can be confusing to know where to start. The good news is I've done some of the legwork for you, so here's where to head if you're planning on purchasing.

Very already has plug-in solar panel kits on offer

It's fair to say Very wasn't one of the places I'd assumed would be competing for the plug-in solar market. But, they aren't just competing, they're also clearly trying to get ahead of the race with some of the range available at pre-discounted prices.

They also state some items will be delivered from mid-September, beating some of the other retailers who are proposing late October.

The plug-in solar panel brand Very are selling is UKSOL, which is available across a number of stores, and listed on the Energy Network Association (ENA) Type Test Register.

It's important to note the link to the ENA, as if you've seen other brands at different retailers, it's worth heading to the site to see if you can find the make and model. I'd also say not to assume one search is enough. Even at the time of writing this article the number of products jumped from 58 to 64 in under two hours.

All of the kits shown come with panels, cables, a solar panel inverter and either a floor or hybrid mount so you can install them on the floor or a vertical wall.

In terms of how they work, Phil Steele, future technologies evangelist at Octopus Energy explains more. "The panels generate DC (direct current) electricity from sunlight. A micro-inverter then converts this into AC (alternating current) electricity – the type of electricity used by households and the electricity grid.

"The system automatically synchronises with the household’s electricity supply. Customers can simply plug the system into a standard three-pin socket, and the electricity flows into the home’s electrical circuit to help power appliances like fridges or TVs."

Argos also has a full selection of UKSOL plug-in solar panels

If, like me, you remember the Argos catalogue fondly at this time of year for being the main source of your letter to Santa and family gifts, then it probably comes as no surprise that it's selling plug-in solar panels. After all, it pretty much was the paper version of Amazon when I was a child, and still to this day continues to offer wide variety of products for homes and gardens.

UKSOL is again the main brand on offer here, with the same bundle of panels, inverter and cables, but with a delivery date of late October.

It feels as if the dates on all the retailers I'm listing have the potential to move, although I can confirm some plug-in panels are available in the UK as one of our team has received a compliant kit to review – so watch this space.

Screwfix only have one product – but it's compliant

At the moment, Screwfix are only offering one plug-in solar panel kit and, as with the other retailers, it's sold with everything you need to get up and running. I've checked and it's also considered compliant with the UK regulations. There's no obvious delivery date, however, and when I entered my postcode it just confirmed it could be delivered in the timeframe offered by the supplier. So I was none the wiser.

Unlike roof-top solar panel installation which requires a professional, the advantage of plug-in solar is that it can be a DIY job. But, given the size and weight of some of the panels which are basically full size and comparable to solar PV on your roof, make sure you position and mount them safely, and according to the instructions.

And don't forget to keep your insurance company informed if you are considering buying solar panels. “Every policy is different, so while plug-in panels are generally covered, it’s worth checking your policy documents before installing them to make sure there are no limitations excluding the use of such systems," advises Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare. "If you’re still unsure, get in touch with them and ask to get clarification on whether you’ll be covered, ideally in writing to be on the safe side."

City Plumbing offers an alternative brand to UKSOL

Another plug-in solar panel brand that appears on the list is Hoymiles and there's a range of these available at City Plumbing, alongside the UKSOL ones we've already mentioned.

And, when I popped in my postcode on one of the product listings to check for collection or delivery, I was told I could collect in six days, or get delivery for free in just two days.

In terms of the size to choose, while available space will usually dictate whether you opt for one or two panels, one of the key things to remember when choosing your panels is that you are not allowed to put more than 800W of power generated by plug-in solar panels into your home.

This is why, even if you choose panels that show a wattage rating over 800, don't assume you will get that full amount. The inverter you plug into is limited to 800W so that the kits don't exceed what is allowed.

And, you can't plug in two sets in different places into plugs to try and beat the system – just in case you were wondering.

Amazon has less plug-in solar at the moment than you might think

I'll admit to finding my plug-in solar panel search on Amazon a little overwhelming. It appears to pull up lots of products, but when you start looking into them properly, so many of the suggestions it makes are for portable solar kits – the kind you might take camping, or use to power floodlights on a shed for example.

But, there are two plug-in solar panels that are confirmed as compliant, and come as ready-made kits that would be suitable if you are looking for a one-panel unit. Delivery on these is currently showing as 25-26 September.

With Amazon Big Day Deals just around the corner on 6-7 October, I'll also be interested to see if these are discounted at all.

As the race to supply plug-in solar continues, there's no doubt that the market will grow in size. Octopus Energy has been the first energy (and roof-top solar) supplier to put themselves into the mix, with two kits already on their website and available to purchase ready for an end of September delivery. Other suppliers have confirmed they will be doing the same.

And, if you're considering making bigger changes to how you generate energy for your home, make sure you read our comprehensive guide to the renewable energy options available to you.

With plug-in solar panels now legalised, you might be keen to rush out and add some to your home. But, could you be jumping the gun?

While they may not need planning permission or Building Regulations approval, plug-in solar panels still need careful consideration before you plug them in, and that includes asking if they will change your home insurance requirements.

We asked insurance experts some key questions regarding plug-in solar panels and what you need to do regarding your home insurance. Here's what they said.

1. Will my home insurance cover plug-in solar panels?

Although the general consensus is that you won't need a separate policy for your plug-in solar panels, it's better to disclose them than just assume they are covered.

“Plug-in solar panels are usually/may be covered by home insurance, but it’s likely that you’ll need to tell your insurer about them in order to be protected," explains Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare.

"These panels feed energy straight into your property's electrical circuit, meaning you are installing a mini power station to your home. In fact, if you don’t tell your insurer that you’re using them and then suffer an electrical fire or fault, you could actually invalidate your policy," he warns.

"So, while they are usually protected, it’s important that you communicate with your insure as failing to notify them about a new electrical installation could affect a future claim."

2. Will only certain suppliers and panels be covered by my home insurance?

First and foremost, the main thing you need to do before purchasing plug-in solar panels is to check that they are legally compliant with the UK regulations. Only those that can provide proof they meet the newly launched standards will stand a chance of being covered.

“As plug-in solar panels are new to the UK market, you must ensure that you buy a compliant product, as only panels that meet the new government specifications will be permitted for use," says Alex Cross, chief customer officer at Tesco Insurance.

"We’ve seen uncertified or poor-quality products cause serious safety issues when it comes to other household items, so making these checks before you purchase is one of the simplest ways to reduce this risk."

If you are unsure about the supplier you are considering using, you are looking for proof that the panels have been assessed by the Energy Networks Association (ENA), are deemed compliant for use by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs).

Shop for compliant plug-in solar panel kits

3. Will plug-in solar panels fall under contents or building insurance?

“Currently, plug-in solar panels typically meet the definition of contents, meaning they would usually be covered under a standard contents insurance policy in the same way as other household items," says Alex Cross.

However, as with any changes or home improvements you make, it's always worth checking in with your current provider to ensure you are fully covered.

"While traditional solar panels are usually part of your buildings insurance, plug-in solar panels will likely fall under the contents insurance policy," takes up Nathan Blackler. "This is because they are classed as portable equipment since they aren’t permanently fixed down into place. Again though, you should clarify this with your insurer.

"Homeowners should also check whether their policy has any exclusions for items kept outdoors, as well as any single-item limits that could affect how much they'd receive if a panel was stolen," he adds.

As when renovating your home and wondering if you need separate renovation insurance, or asking what DIY projects can invalidate your home insurance, checking before you purchase or start installation of your plug-in solar panels can save any problems if issues were to arise in the future.

4. What happens if my panels are stolen?

While items stored outside are normally covered by your insurance, there may be conditions in place such as making sure expensive bikes are stored in an appropriate places, including sheds with good security.

However, as solar panels need daylight to work, this isn't feasible. And, while they will be wall- or floor-mounted and attached to a stand, what happens if they are stolen?

“As with any item kept outside the home, such as on a balcony or in a garden, plug-in solar panels can be a target for theft," picks up Alex Cross. “Many policies apply different conditions to items kept outside the home compared to those kept indoors, and some may only cover theft from outside in certain circumstances, so it’s important to check your policy wording before you install a panel rather than after something goes wrong."

“Your best option will likely be to contact your insurer to check if you’ll be covered in this scenario, and if not, ask if there’s anything you can add to your policy to get the protection you need," says Nathan Blackler.

“There are a lot of variables involved that could impact whether you’re covered. For instance, where exactly you’re keeping the panels and how secure they are. Some contents insurance policies protect against theft of possessions out of the home, although you might need to add personal possessions cover as an add-on in order to get this protection," he continues.

"But even with this cover, there could be technicalities around how secure the panels are. These are all reasons why you’ll need to discuss your own circumstances with your insurer."

Alex offers some additional tips to make sure you are protected as best you can be. “Taking sensible steps to secure the panel, such as using the fixings or locking mechanisms recommended by the manufacturer, can help reduce the risk of theft," he says.

“We’d also recommend keeping your receipt, a note of the serial number and a photo of the panel, as having these to hand can make the claims process smoother if you ever need to make one.”

5. What if the plug-in panels cause damage to my home?

While in theory, there should be no risk of damage if you have correctly installed your plug-in solar panels, before you do install them, it's important to ask yourself the following questions to help mitigate the risk of damage.

If the panels are being wall-mounted on a garden wall, is the wall strong enough to withstand the panels moving in high winds or storms? It's worth noting that the plug-in panels recently launched by Octopus Energy for example are full-size ones, weighing around 22kg per panel.

What is the wall you are mounting them to made of? According to Octopus Energy, you need to reconsider if you were thinking of attaching them to a wooden fence – not least of all because of the weight of the panels.

"The new planning rules mean plug-in solar can't be installed under permitted development on wooden fences, gates, walls, balconies or enclosures," says the advice on their website. "The rules around timber sheds aren't completely clear, so we recommend checking with your local planning authority before installing on a wooden structure or avoid mounting on this material all together."

When using the floor mount, you also need to make sure you have something such as gravel or bricks that is heavy enough to hold the mount down. A sheltered area may also be beneficial but again, think about stormy weather and what's close by if the panels did shift in any direction.

Electrical issues

Although plug-in panels are being positioned as an easy DIY solar solution, it's worth remembering that this then puts the onus on you as the homeowner to have completed the necessary due diligence and installed them safely. Unlike standard solar panel installation where the responsibility lies with the installer, with plug-in panels, that's not the case.

Not all homes are suitable for plug-in panels, so you need to establish if yours is or not – this will be particularly important if you're considering adding them when rennovating a house. If you're unsure in any way, it's always worth speaking to an electrician.

And, while there is no major re-wiring or electrical work involved if your home is deemed to be suitable, what happens if they do play havoc and you end up with electrical problems you didn't have before?

“Depending on your level of cover and the circumstances, damage to the fabric of your home, including its wiring and electrics, would typically fall under buildings insurance. Some types of damage may only be covered if you have accidental damage cover, so it’s worth checking what your policy includes," says Alex Cross.

“Where the panel was bought and how it was installed and used may also be considered. Using a product that doesn’t meet the new specification or not following the manufacturer’s guidance could affect a claim, which is why it’s important to choose a compliant product and check your home’s electrics are suitable,” he adds.

Faulty panels

If the issue arises as a result of a faulty panel, Nathan offers this advice:

“If a faulty panel damages your home, your insurer may cover the resulting damage depending on the circumstances and the terms of your policy. In some cases, they may then seek to recover costs from the manufacturer if the product is found to be defective.

"Make sure you keep the receipt for the device so that you have proof of purchase and gather as much evidence as possible that the device caused the damage," he continues. "Taking photos before attempting any repairs is often a good way of doing this. Remember this often doesn’t apply if the damage was caused by negligence or misuse, so make sure you install and maintain the panels properly; otherwise, you might not be able to claim back the costs."

6. When could plug-in panels invalidate my home insurance?

While following the above advice should help steer you away from any major risks regarding solar panels and home insurance, our experts do advice extra caution in two scenarios.

Renters and those in leasehold properties should exercise caution

“Renters and leaseholders should check with their landlord or freeholder before installing a panel, particularly in multi-occupancy buildings," says Alex Cross.

“Once that’s been checked and the necessary approval received, it’s also a good opportunity for consumers to review their insurance policy. People who rent often assume they don’t need cover since they don’t own the property, but contents insurance is designed to protect the possessions inside it, from everyday items to bigger purchases. Cover and any limits that apply can vary between providers, so it’s worth checking your policy wording to make sure you’re covered.”

7. Will I need to declare plug-in solar panels as a valuable item?

“Many contents policies have a single item limit, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out for any one item unless it has been listed separately on the policy," is the advice of Alex Cross.

"Since a typical plug-in solar panel costs around £400, it may fall within that existing limit, but it’s worth checking your current cover."

8. Will it make my insurance premiums higher?

Concerned your insurance costs might rise if you declare plug-in solar panels to your provider? Nathan Blacker says it's not something he has seen at the moment, but that this may change.

“It's unlikely that every insurer will treat plug-in solar panels the same way. Some may simply note them on your policy, while others could factor them into their assessment of risk. However, because the technology is relatively new to the mass market, insurers are still gathering the data necessary to effectively price against it, so you could see more fluctuations further down the line.”

While the above advice should help you decide how to progress with your home insurer, it's also worth being careful about where you install your plug-in solar panels if you have neighbours.

As the full-size panels on the ground, or on a wall, may be seen from surrounding properties, you'll want to avoid the risk of neighbour disputes. And, if you own a listed building, you'll need to also check there aren't any restrictions that prevent them being placed in the curtilage of your home.

Despite offering standard roof-mounted solar PV panels, Octopus Energy has confirmed it is the first energy company to start selling plug-in solar panels.

Designed to offer those who aren't able to have a full solar system the chance to generate electricity and lower their bills, the plug-in packages are deemed compliant with the new regulations.

Other energy suppliers have also confirmed they will also be looking to capture their share of the plug-in solar market over the coming months.

What does the Octopus Energy package include?

The initial offering from Octopus Energy is comprised of full-size 460W solar panels (1.8m × 1.1m & 22kg each). You can opt for one or two panels, and each kit comes with a floor or wall mount, micro solar inverter, 3-pin plug and a 5m lead.

You don't need a specialist to fit them, instead the system is designed for simple DIY installation and the company estimates it can be set up in just an hour.

However, if the size of these panels is still to big for your home, you may need to wait a little longer for a smaller version.

"Plug-in solar has only just launched in the UK, so this is really just the start," says Phil Steele, future technologies evangelist at Octopus Energy. "More products will be available, giving customers more choice and making it easier for more homes to make the most of solar. We’ll announce timings on our website as new products roll out."

Kits are due to be delivered from the end of September

Homeowners have been able to place their order for plug-in solar panels via the website since the start of the month, with delivery expected towards the end of September.

"For later orders, it may be a little later, but we’re keeping customers updated on their delivery, which, by the way, is included when ordering on our website," says Phil Steele

Where can you install them?

Before you purchase plug-in solar panels, the most important step to take is to check your home meets the electrical safely advice for installing them at your property. Not all homes are suitable for plug-in solar and it is recommended you get a qualified electrician to check your home before you start.

If your home is deemed suitable, as with standard solar PV installation, the best place to install plug-in solar panels is in a sunnier spot, and in a location where they can be safely mounted on the floor or wall.

And, even though we are heading into winter, Phil Steele is keen to assure homeowners that plug-in solar panels will still work.

"Solar panels work in winter too. They don’t need warmth to generate electricity – they need light. So while shorter days mean they may produce less energy than in summer, they can still generate plenty of electricity, even on cloudy or rainy days," he explains. "A bit of rain can actually help by washing away dust and dirt that could otherwise block light from reaching the panels."

What are the costs and potential savings?

Prices for the new plug-in panels from Octopus Energy will start at £450 for a one-panel set-up, rising to more if you choose two. Homeowners are asked via the company's website to enter their postcode to get an indication of price.

In terms of savings, the company estimates: "Households could save up to £150, depending on factors including sunlight levels and household energy use.* For households opting for two panels, pairing the system with a smart export tariff could also mean paying back the cost of the panels in just five and a half years."

However, as of yet, there isn't a confirmed date as to when solar batteries for plug-in solar will be able to export energy back to the grid. Despite this, homeowners will be able to connect the Octopus Energy plug-in range to its Nook Cube plug-in battery which will launch to the UK and European market early next year.

When questioned why the company has chosen to launch a plug-in option, Phil Steele said: "Plug-in solar is a great option for renters or people with a smaller budget or who don’t have a suitable roof for traditional solar panels. So it’s really opening up solar to more people, rather than replacing rooftop solar.

"We’ve seen huge interest in rooftop solar as people look for ways to bring down their energy bills, and we don’t see that interest going away," he adds. "The amount of sunshine we’ve been getting, particularly this year, has only helped to fuel that interest. With the cost of living still high, we expect people to keep looking for ways to generate their own electricity and save on their bills – and solar is a brilliant way to do that."

* This is an estimated annual saving for a household using the two-panel plug-in solar system.

Two panels meet the maximum guidelines

While the plug-in panels don't generate as much power as roof-top versions, it's not simply a case of buying more kits, says Phil Steele.

"You can plug in one system per household. The government currently limits the system’s output to 800W at any one time, meaning it can supply up to 800W of electricity to power your home.

"Our panels are 460W each, so our two-panel setup gives you 920W of total panel capacity," he explains. "This extra capacity helps the system get closer to the maximum 800W possible when there isn’t much light."

Shop for alternative plug-in solar panels online

Which other energy companies will offer plug-in solar?

OVO, another energy company offering solar PV, has also confirmed they are in the running to join the plug-in solar market.

"OVO is actively working on a plug-in solar proposition which is planned for launch in the coming months," confirmed Scott Duncan, head of domestic exports at OVO.

To mark plug in solar becoming legal to buy and use in the UK, we also launched a plug in solar competition, giving away five plug-in solar kits for free to OVO Beyond customers," he added. "The competition is still open, and is running until Thursday 17 September."

Similar to the Octopus Energy kit, OVO's includes two panels on a rack mount with a micro-inverter, connecting to a standard three-pin.

With regards to other energy suppliers, Angus Struthers, managing director at BOXT told Homebuilding & Renovating: “Maybe we’ll offer plug-in solar in the future, but at this time our business model centres around full home solar installations, allowing the majority of UK households to maximise any energy generation and savings to their household bills.”

At the time of writing, E.ON Next is yet to confirm if they have similar plans or not.

Retailers, including Amazon and Argos are already stocking plug-in solar panels, and although Lidl was named as the first supermarket to launch them, as yet, they have not been spotted in the middle aisle.

Many homeowners are searching for ways to reclaim ownership over their household bills as a result of steep price increases, shifting tariffs and broader worries about energy security. As a result, renewable energy is no longer an optional extra when planning a retrofit, building a new home or embarking on a significant refurbishment.

Heat pumps, solar PV panels, battery storage, and other low-carbon technology can all help to lower operating costs, reduce a home’s carbon footprint, and lower dependency on the grid. Under ideal situations, they can also increase a property’s value and help protect it against heightened energy performance requirements in the future.

However, it is challenging to figure out where to begin, or whether a specific technology makes financial sense for your home without a comprehensive understanding of costs. Here I breakdown what you can expect to pay, what can influence the costs and how to get the best value for your money.

What to consider before you start

Reducing demand prior to investing in renewables is a fundamental principle of low-energy design and good retrofit. Installing renewables on a structure that isn’t operating well will nearly always result in a lower financial return than increasing insulation, fixing cold bridges, replacing windows and enhancing airtightness.

Renewable technology can provide significantly higher returns once the house’s structure has been strengthened. The same idea holds true for new builds, where a well-designed building envelope can drastically lower the expense of the equipment required.

Whether you are designing a self-build from scratch, upgrading an existing home or planning a phased energy retrofit, understanding the likely costs at an early stage will help you make better informed decisions.

Solar PV costs – how much to budget

Solar PV panels work by converting daylight into power via solar photovoltaic cells. They are viable throughout the UK because they simply require light to function, not direct sunlight. The home uses the electricity produced first, and any extra is either exported to the grid or, if a battery is installed, stored in it.

The panels are frequently incorporated into the roof plan and energy strategy from the very start for self-builders. It is typically added to an existing roof for renovations and retrofit projects, depending on the roof’s condition and orientation.

When deciding if solar panels are right for your home, key considerations include roof compatibility. With little shade from trees, chimneys or nearby structures, the optimal roof faces south-east to south-west. East-west roofs can still function effectively, especially in situations where electricity use is distributed throughout the day.

In terms of space, a modern panel is typically 1.7x1m. Roof area is frequently the limiting factor as a home system can need 8-14 panels. The size of the system, complexity of the roof, and the need for scaffolding all affect the total cost, but in the UK, average solar panel costs are:

• 3 to 4 kWp system with 8-10 panels – £5,000-£7,000
• 5 to 6 kWp system with 12-14 panels – £7,000-£10,000
• 7 kWp plus system with 16 or more panels – £10,000 to £13,000+

Solar battery storage is not included in these calculations, but panels, solar panel inverter, mounting system, wiring and installation are. For an average household, payback times for homes without batteries and with moderate daytime use might be eight to 12 years. This can be shortened to six to nine years for homes with higher self- consumption, such as those with an EV charger or a heat pump.

Solar thermal prices

In contrast to producing electricity, solar thermal systems use the sun’s energy to heat water. Solar radiation is absorbed by roof-mounted collectors, which then use a fluid to transmit the heat to a hot water cylinder inside the house.

When solar input is not enough, especially in the winter, a boiler or other heat source is used to boost temperatures. The system’s main function is to supply hot water.

Homes with regular hot water use benefit most from solar thermal, and because there are more opportunities to utilise the free heat being produced, larger families typically gain more than smaller ones.

The collector area required for a typical home system is between 3 and 5m² and a large, solar-compatible hot water cylinder will require a bigger space. If extra heat is not controlled, systems may stagnate at times when hot water usage is minimal, for example during the holidays. Although this is a component of the overall design consideration, modern systems are made to cope.

Typical installation expenses are:

• Flat plate collector system – £4,000-£6,000
• Evacuated tube system – £5,000-£7,000

Collectors, a pump station, controls, piping, antifreeze fluid and a suitable hot water cylinder are typically included in these numbers.

Payback times are often lengthier than for solar PV as the system solely offsets hot water energy rather than full electricity use. Depending on the amount of fuel and hot water used, typical payback ranges are 10-18 years, although shorter in cases where the primary equivalent is electric immersion heating. Where gas is the main fuel, the payback ranges will be longer.

Heat pumps - air source and ground source

A heat pump is a low-carbon heating technique that raises the temperature of the outside air, ground or water to a suitable level. It can provide more energy as heat than it needs as electricity since it transfers heat rather than producing it by burning fuel, unlike a boiler.

The technology for the majority of households will be an air-source heat pump (ASHP), which resembles an outdoor air conditioner. Ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) are more prevalent on self-build projects with ample land and larger budgets as they use buried pipes in trenches or boreholes.

Heat pumps function best in airtight, efficiently insulated homes with minimal heat loss. An ASHP requires an outside space with enough ventilation and care for nearby noise levels, while a GSHP needs room for boreholes or space for trenches. Depending on the size of the property and whether insulation or heat emitter upgrades are needed, prices might vary greatly.

Potential costs are:

• Air-source heat pump – £9,000-£14,000
• Ground-source heat pump (trenches) – £15,000-£22,000
• Ground-source heat pump (boreholes) – £20,000-£30,000

These costs include the unit, cylinder, controls and installation.

Depending on the fuel being substituted, the financial payback is variable. It can pay for itself in eight to 15 years to replace oil, LPG, or electric heating. The choice to replace a modern gas boiler may have a longer payback period and be motivated more by futureproofing or carbon reduction than by simple cost savings.

What to budget for battery storage

Instead of returning excess energy to the grid, battery storage devices store electricity for future consumption. Most frequently combined with solar PV, battery storage allows households to use more of the electricity they produce on site.

Depending on tariffs and system configuration, some systems can also release when electricity is more expensive and charge from the grid at off-peak rates.

Typically, batteries range in size from 5-15 kWh. If you can’t charge and discharge the battery on a regular basis, oversizing raises the cost without necessarily enhancing returns. Batteries are typically wall hung and you’ll need space in a utility room, garage or other comparable area.

Battery capacity, manufacturer, and whether the system is installed with new PV or retrofitted all have an impact on the following costs:

• 5 to 7kWh – £3,500-£5,000
• 8 to 10kWh – £5,000-£7,000
• 12 to 15kWh – £7,000-£10,000+

Payback is frequently longer in comparison for PV panels alone because batteries are still quite costly in relation to the savings they provide. Typical ranges consist of 10 to 15 years in houses with adequate solar power and appropriate usage habits, but it may be longer in areas with low electricity consumption or when the majority of generation is already utilised during the day.

Wind turbine costs can vary

By harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind, domestic wind turbines produce electricity. Systems are usually either building-mounted or pole-mounted in the open, but the latter are less widespread and normally less efficient.

Although residential-scale systems are highly site specific, wind can be a powerful renewable resource in some areas of the UK. A steady, unhindered wind is essential – compared to populated or sheltered regions, exposed rural or coastal sites fare much better.

Planning permission is frequently needed for small wind turbines, especially pole-mounted ones. Turbines have mechanical components and need regular maintenance, so keep this in mind in terms of ongoing costs.

Depending on the height, groundwork, and grid connection, costs might vary significantly:

• Small domestic system (1 to 2.5kW) – £7,000-£15,000
• Larger domestic system (5 to 6kW) – £15,000-£30,000+

Payback might take eight to 15 years on an ideally exposed location with significant electricity demand, but systems may never generate a significant financialreturn in marginal areas.

Biomass boilers can require more investment

By burning sustainable fuel, usually wood pellets, chips, or logs, biomass boilers provide heat. They work similarly to traditional boilers, using radiators, underfloor heating and a hot water cylinder to provide heating and hot water.

Compared to gas or oil boilers, biomass systems require a lot of room. Pellet systems need appropriate vehicle access and frequent fuel deliveries. With log systems, more user involvement and manual handling are required.

System type, fuel storage layouts, and interaction with current systems all affect the following costs too:

• Pellet boiler system – £15,000-£25,000
• Log gasification boiler – £10,000-£18,000

The amount of heat requirement and the fuel being replaced determine the financial return. In bigger, rural homes, replacing oil or LPG could pay for itself in 10 to 15 years. Smaller households are less likely to see significant financial returns from gas replacement.

Factors that can influence cost

Installation costs can differ between homes, even for the same equipment, depending on the following:

Location In the UK: Regional labour rates differ. On confined urban sites or isolated rural plots, access may raise the cost of scaffolding or plant. System sizing and, thus, total cost-effectiveness are also impacted by wind exposure or sunlight levels.

Planning permission and regulations: Planning permission approval may be necessary for some renewable projects, while others fall within permitted development. Consent is more likely to be required for ground-mounted solar arrays and residential wind turbines. Restrictions may apply to conservation areas and listed buildings. Before panels can be mounted, extra work may be necessary to address any structural issues with roofs.

Complexity of installation: Costs increase where roofs have a complex, tall, or steep shape, if there is a lot of scaffolding or if existing services must be modified. Simple, carefully thought-out installations are always more economical than retrofitting under tight circumstances.

Condition of the existing house: The headline system costs may be deceptive if the structure of the property has been neglected.

System design and specification: Systems that are too large raise capital costs without corresponding savings, while systems that are too small may function poorly and offer little value. Although they may increase the initial cost, higher specified parts, extended warranties, or integrated smart controls may enhance performance over time.

The project’s timing: In general, renewable energy is less expensive when installed in conjunction with other projects, such as replacing the heating system or roofing.

Funding your renewables

One of the biggest challenges to renewable technologies is upfront costs, although incentives and grants can greatly close the gap.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the main source of government assistance now offered to households in England and Wales. Grants are available for both ground-source and air-source heat pumps, and the grant is deducted from the quote you receive and paid to the installer. Basic home insulation specifications must be met.

When installed in residential properties, the majority of energy-saving products – including solar panels, heat pumps, and other related technology – presently incur 0% VAT.

Under the Smart Export Guarantee, households with solar PV or wind power can receive payment for electricity exported to the grid. Keep in mind, however, that tariffs and suppliers have different rates. Instead of being viewed as a primary return, income should be viewed as a contribution.

Getting quotes for renewable technologies

Getting thorough quotes is the next step after you’ve decided which technologies could work best for your house. Generally speaking, try to get four or more written quotes for every system. This aids in gaining an understanding of the market range and the identification of outliers that are either excessively expensive or unrealistically cheap.

When examining quotes, make sure they express the following:

• Important elements (controls, cylinder size, and inverter model)
• What is and is not included, such as electrical modifications, scaffolding, or making good
• Equipment and installation warranties

Quotes that are only based on savings claims without taking into account your home, insulation levels or pattern of energy should generally be avoided.

Getting the best value for money

Payback periods for renewable technologies can vary widely, depending on the system you choose, but decisions are rarely made just on the basis of cost. Your home, finances and priorities will determine the best course of action.

Prior to making a commitment, consider the following:

• Can I lower my energy use first?
• Which energy source am I swapping out?
• How long do I plan to live at the property? Long-term homeowners benefit more from systems’ payback periods of 10 years or longer than those of short-term schemes
• Are my surroundings and space appropriate?
• Does cost alone inspire me or does energy independence and carbon reduction also play a role?

Renewable energy sources can be part of a well-thought-out, low-energy plan that lowers emissions, increases comfort, and stabilises operating costs in well-designed self-builds and deep retrofit projects. In other situations, a more low-key strategy – such as solar PV alone – might provide the best return on investment.

By being aware of the average renewables costs up front, you are better prepared to make well-informed choices and approach installers with reasonable expectations, transforming renewable energy from a sales-driven solution into a thoughtful component of your overall building strategy.

For more advice on renewables, start by understanding how to work out your energy needs, and if you're embarking on a home renovation, follow our five-point checklist to see if your home is suitable for a heat pump.

The UK government has announced that plug-in solar panels are now legal to buy and use, with the potential to save households “hundreds” of pounds on their electricity bills while helping to strengthen the country’s energy security.

The panels, which can be bought from a range of major retailers and supermarkets for as little as £280, can be installed on a DIY basis and don’t require an electrician to get started – although one is recommended in some cases, such as when you are unsure of the condition of your wiring.

Plug-in solar panels were previously banned under UK electrical safety laws due to the risks of fires and electric shocks. However, the government assures consumers that independent safety testing has shown that compliant panels are “safe and compatible with UK wiring”.

With this in mind, homeowners will need to check that they are buying UK-compliant panels from registered sellers and ensure that their property and electrical system are suitable before going ahead.

The government has introduced a Permitted Development Right in England to make it easier for homeowners to get started. However, those who live in flats or apartments, “high-risk buildings”, listed buildings, conservation areas, leasehold properties or managed buildings will need to double-check whether they need planning permission or have to follow certain rules.

Unshaded, south-facing spots are the best places to install plug-in solar panels – they are not recommended for north-facing gardens, as they won’t produce enough electricity.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, homeowners can only install one device per property under the new regulations. The device must be plugged directly into a mains socket, without using an extension lead or adaptor or modifying the plug, and must be capped at 800W of output.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has said that installing a plug-in solar panel could save households up to £110 per year on their energy bills, with the devices providing up to 20% of an average home’s electricity use.

Plug-and-play devices have already hit the shelves of retailers such as Argos, making this eco-friendly energy option easier and cheaper for households to access compared with costly rooftop solar panels.

So far, they have been confirmed to be stocked at:

• Amazon
• Argos
• B&Q
• Curry’s
• Screwfix
• Wickes

Where to buy UK-compliant plug-in solar panels

"Plug-in solar is a simple, affordable way for households to take control of their energy bills and start saving straight away," said Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh. "From this summer, we’re giving more families the ability power their homes with clean homegrown energy."

Joanna O’Loan, Knowledge Manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: "While the savings will vary from home to home, plug-in solar panels will give more people greater control over their energy use and costs. As these products become more widely available, access to clear and reliable information is essential to help people make informed choices that are right for their home and budget."

If you're undecided between traditional and plug-in options, read our guides on solar panel grants and whether solar panels are worth it.

Since the introduction of the Feed In Tariff in 2010 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have become ever more popular with self-builders and homeowners, and legislation has now followed suit with the Future Homes Standard dictating that all new-build homes will require the equivalent of 40% of the floor area in PV panels on the roof.

However, while free energy is clearly a good thing, solar panel installation still comes at a cost, and in order to reap the rewards of investment, you need to make sure you optimise the energy generated. And therein lies the conundrum. If you don't use all the energy, what are your options?

It's a question that's become even more relevant with this year's heatwaves that have generated more solar power than normal. So should you store and use, or always sell your excess energy? Here I explain what you need to consider.

How can you sell your energy?

While the Government has legislated that all reasonably sized energy supply companies must offer to buy your excess generation under the Smart Energy Guarantee (SEG), unfortunately, they do not set any rate that must be paid.

Energy companies can therefore pay you anything from 1p/kWh - 34p/kWh (these were the variation in the different export tariffs that I could find at the time of writing). Many of the better export tariffs are tied to specified import tariffs as the energy companies don't really want you to charge up your battery at night when the energy is 7p/kWh and then sell it back to them during the day at 34p/kWh.

There are certainly a lot of different tariffs out there, so you will need to take some time and do your homework to figure out what best suits your needs. But, in order to answer the question of whether to sell or use solar energy, what do you need to take into account?

What to consider when weighing up your options

I suggest you start with your lifestyle. How much energy do you use and when do you use it? Then check how much energy you are likely to generate from the solar PV on your roof and see what options you have to try and use as much of that generation as possible.

Your smart meter, if you have one, should be able to tell you when you use the most energy. Take note of when you use different appliances and how often. It may be that you do not charge the car every day, or use the laundry appliances on a daily basis. Some activities, like cooking, will usually happen around the same time each day, but the amount of energy you use each day could also be very different.

Then, look at how much energy you could generate from your solar PV – this should be in the installer pack within the system when it was installed. You can also check your generation meter and do the maths per year on use vs generation.

On average in the south of England, you should generate around 1100 units of energy per year for every kW of capacity installed. This falls to around 600W per kW of installed capacity in northern Scotland. So, if you put 10 x 400w panels on a roof, that equates to an installed capacity of 4000W (or 4kW).

I would expect that system to generate around 4400 units of energy per year in the south of England and maybe around 2400 units in northern Scotland.

Energy across the year won't be uniform

However, you also need to remember that the energy generated as a whole is not evenly spread over the year. In winter you generate very little, and in summer you will often generate more than you can use.

What are your options for selling vs using?

The immediate solution is a solar battery, as if you have one, then you can store the excess generation from the day and use it in your home at night. But, the main question here is how big is the battery and therefore how much can it realistically store?

On my home solar PV system, especially during the recent heatwaves, I have been generating over 30kWh per day on average. The reality? A decent battery is only about 13kWh capacity, so it means I rarely use the other 17kWh per day at home because I don't have things like air conditioning, and I don't need to cook or do laundry during the daylight hours every single day.

Are smart controls an option?

Even though a washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher could be used during the day (even if you were not there) if it had smart controls, or was linked to a smart home system, and your EV charger could be topped up to work in the day, the reality is as soon as you have a few sunny days in a row you cannot feasibly use all the generation.

The average household simply doesn't use that much hot water, or drive that many miles (and even if you did do a lot of miles, this makes it unlikely you'd be at home every sunny day to harvest the generation).

Excess, in this instance, should therefore be sold if it's available.

Gas users could also benefit from selling energy

Redirecting energy to the hot water cylinder can be helpful, but it is also not a full solution. If you redirect the energy, but you have an EV tariff, then you are only offsetting around 7p with the cheaper rates at night. It therefore means you would be better to heat the cylinder at night, and export the excess solar PV generation for 14p.

If you have any appliances that are heated by gas, such as gas boiler for example, you are not excluded from getting SEG payments. Many of the big energy suppliers will still pay up to 15p/kWh for exported electricity.

In this scenario, as gas only costs around 8p/kWh, you would not want to direct your solar PV generation to any appliances that are heated using gas. Always check with your supplier before doing so as energy export tariffs change with every deal.

The problem vs the solution

I understand that energy companies change their tariffs all the time, but the fact is, using or selling excess energy isn't always a simple answer if you want to manage and optimise your energy costs.

If you have installed an EV charger you will likely have opted for an EV tariff at home as it will usually give you a cheap rate (around 7p/kWh for six hours every night – usually from 11.30pm until 5.30am in the morning).

The rest of the day will be at a premium rate of around 25p/kWh. Therefore, on an EV tariff, the best use of energy is to try and shift most of your electricity use to the night.

But, that has its challenges. Who wants to do laundry at that time, particularly given concerns around using tumble driers overnight? Who wants to cook dinner at that time? And heat pumps and other electrical heating systems really do not like to run in bursts, they like to be able to run low and slow across the whole day, as and when required.

The solution

In my view, what we ideally need is a solar battery that can be charged up in summer and then used in winter. However, as this doesn't yet exist, and would need to be a big and expensive battery to operate in this way, for now, looking at some other smart tariffs is perhaps the best solution.

Take the Intelligent Octopus Flux tariff as an example. This gives you two different energy rates. The peak rate is currently around 28p/kWh – 32p/kWh, but, the peak time is only three hours, from 4pm - 7pm daily.

The rest of the day (21 hours) is between 21p/kWh - 24p/kWh depending on your location. The key detail here is that they will buy back any excess generation from your solar PV system at exactly the same rates.

So, if you have a solar PV array that generates more energy per year than your household uses, then you should end up being cost neutral.

You do need to have a battery to qualify, and there are eligibility criteria that need to be complied with, but knowing what your energy needs are and then studying the available tariffs is what will really pay dividends and is the only real way to decide how much of your excess energy you should try and use, and what you should sell.

If you are reading this as part of your research before deciding if you want to install solar panels or not, find out what else you need to do to assess your energy needs and decide which renewables are right for you.

And, if you're wondering what's fact and fiction, we dive into the most common solar myths so you have the right information to hand.

Solar farms, nuclear plants, reservoirs and train links will no longer be required to undergo planning consultations if deemed to be nationally significant.

Changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 come into effect this month, scrapping the need for mandatory assessments for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

Ministers hope this will cut up to 12 months from the planning process and save the industry £1 billion in costs. But critics of the law change highlight that removing the need for surveys leaves local communities feeling disenfranchised and unable to have their voices heard.

What are the changes to planning legislation?

The statutory requirement for NSIPs to undergo mandatory pre-application consultations has been repealed from the Planning Act 2008 for NSIPs. Before its removal, the Act made sure developers talked to the local community about any proposals as well as having to publicise the plans. A preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) was also necessary.

Elsewhere, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 was changed to remove mandatory pre-application consultations for onshore wind projects.

The changes have been made through the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. This government has also promised to give developers technical support and "meaningful" advice from the Planning Inspectorate before applications are submitted.

The rules governing cost recovery for local authorities when dealing with NSIPs has also been changed to allow planning authorities to set their own fees.

Why did the government make the changes?

The government states the projects could create "over 82,000 jobs" as well as generating most clean energy to power millions of UK homes and businesses.

It also said it would speed up the decision-making process to help push through dozens of what it considers critical infrastructure projects to help grow the economy, and welcome a "new era of clean energy."

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: "This government is determined to make the UK a world leader in building infrastructure. Our reforms will get work started quicker on wind farms, solar panels and transport links to connect our communities and grow our economy."

Meanwhile Energy Minister Michael Shanks added: "Britain cannot afford to wait years for the clean energy infrastructure needed to strengthen our energy security and grow the economy.

"Every turbine, every solar panel, every cable we connect helps protect families from volatile fossil fuel markets and paves the way for a new era of clean energy for our country."

Do environmental groups welcome the change to planning regs?

"Government initiatives to speed up decision-making for development projects, as the Planning and Infrastructure Act is designed to do, are to be welcomed but only if they lead to good development. Good development is well-designed development in the right place, with proper consideration and mitigation of environmental and community impacts," explains Sally Hayns of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

"Early involvement of environmental consultants at the earliest stages of project design and the provision of pre-application advice can effectively manage project risks and unnecessary delays, but the legislation does not solve the problem of chronically under-resourced local planning authorities.

"Consequently, whilst this new approach may benefit a few high-profile infrastructure projects, it won't benefit the majority of homeowners and housebuilders who still face delayed decision-making, with the added risk of community resentment and frustration if they have not been able to express their concerns during the planning determination process."

Which projects will be affected?

The government says it has already made 41 decisions regarding major infrastructure, with major projects such as the Mona Offshore Wind Farm, Gate Burton Energy Park and the Lower Thames Crossing being pushed through.

It also claims, "over 80 prospective applicants have already benefited from early advice to help shape their proposed applications since the launch of the Inspectorate’s new pre-application service."

Large scale NSIPs that are still in the pre-application stages include Arrow Way Solar, Calderdale Energy Park, Fens Reservoir and the expansion of Heathrow Airport (third runway). A full list can be seen on the government's NSIPs website.

The government's current target is to exceed a target of 150 major infrastructure decisions this parliament (until July 2029), with these changes intended to help speed them up.

Following the government's announcement that they were overturning the ban on plug-in solar panels in the UK earlier this year, there has been little obvious development in terms of them becoming available to buy.

While Lidl confirmed they would be one of the first UK retailers to sell them, the fact that the panels, which originated in Europe, are not compatible with UK electricity systems has proved somewhat of a stumbling block.

However, this could be about to change, with the Government confirming a consultation process has been launched with industry leaders. This is with a view to developing an interim product specification to help resolve the current regulatory issues. The news, combined with a recent roundtable including most of the UK's leading retailers, means plug-in solar panels could be still make it into our homes in 2026.

What is the consultation process for?

At present, plug-in solar panels do not meet with the Plugs and Sockets etc Safety Regulations 1994 (PSSR), because as well as the the PSSR regulations, the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (2002) (ESQCR) also come into play and these require that electrical equipment meets British Safety Standards. However, under the current standards, electricity-generating products cannot be connected via a plug.

In lieu of permanent regulatory changes potentially taking some time to update, an interim product specification has been proposed, the aim of which would be to allow consumers to use plug-in solar panels sooner, as long as they met 'defined safety requirements.'

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is consulting with industry leaders on the process, and it is looking at how amendments to the PSSR and ESQCR, along with this 'fit-for-purpose' specification could be an interim solution to prevent any further delay.

What do retailers say?

While Lidl had previously been the only retailer to firmly acknowledge their plans to sell plug-in solar panels, the recent roundtable saw most of the UK's biggest retailers meet with Martin McCluskey MP, the current Minister for Energy Consumers.

Representatives from Currys, B&Q, Amazon, Lidl, Asda, B&Q, Currys, Screwfix and Wickes (a combined collective total of around 4,000 stores and strong online presence) heard how the plans could help homeowners benefit from the free electricity that solar panels generate.

There was praise all round from the retailers, all of whom welcomed the opportunity to be part of the plans to contribute to a greener UK.

John Boumphrey, UK & Ireland country manager at Amazon said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to make renewable energy more accessible to people around the UK. Amazon is the largest corporate buyer of carbon-free energy in the UK – we’ve invested in over 40 large scale solar and wind projects to date.

"Enabling households to generate their own power with self-install plug-in solar panels is a practical step that supports household budgets and delivering against net zero goals."

Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q also confirmed the retailer was in support of the plans for plug-in solar, saying, "We welcome the introduction of plug-in solar panels to the UK market, which will help households to generate their own energy and reduce their bills. This builds on our existing range of portable solar and battery solutions.

"We are working closely with government and suppliers to understand and help shape the guidance," he confirmed, "ensuring any products we offer are safe, compliant and straightforward to install. We look forward to making plug-in solar available to our customers as soon as possible."

Georgina Hall, corporate affairs director at Lidl GB, who had previously spoken in support of the plans confirmed they were continuing to back the government's "latest steps toward modernising regulations for ‘plug-and-play’ technology."

Michelle Gorringe-Smith, director of new categories at Currys, noted how important it is to get plug-in solar panels launched safely, and as soon as possible. "With energy bills continuing to rise, enabling the safe roll-out of these products will mark an important step for consumers across the UK – including the more than 80% of UK households that shop at Currys."

Where will plug-in solar panels be used?

Some of the best places to install plug-in solar panels will include balconies, sheds and other outdoor areas. Unlike roof-top solar panels which need a registered installer, these will simply be a domestic product that you can fit yourselves.

And, given the increasing number of heatwaves we are experiencing across the UK, the new plug-in panels could boost the amount of savings you make if you have an existing system, or provide you with an opportunity to share in the benefits of free electricity if you are unable to have a full solar panel system installed.

When will a decision on plug-in solar be made?

According to a government statement:

"Following the close of the consulation, DENZ will undertake analysis of responses received. This will inform the development of final policy decisions, including any amendments to legislation and the design of the Interim Product Standard.

"A summary of consultation responses will be published on GOV.UK via the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero website. Subject to the analysis and necessary approvals, this is expected by 22 July 2026.

"The government intends to move at pace following publication, with decisions on next steps and implementation to follow as soon as practicable, considering the need to ensure a robust, proportionate, and safe regulatory framework."

Plug-in solar panels could soon offer homeowners a simpler way to generate electricity without installing a full rooftop solar system.

But where they are placed around the home could make a major difference to how much power they generate and how safely they operate.

A renewables electrical engineer has revealed the locations most likely to work best as plug-in solar is set to be legalised in the UK.

1. Balconies could become one of the best locations

According to Kian Milroy, a renewables electrical engineer at Heatable, balconies are likely to become the most popular place to install plug-in solar panels, particularly where they receive direct sunlight for large parts of the day.

He said: “Balconies are likely to be one of the main use cases, especially for flats, as south-facing or west-facing balconies can still generate useful power.”

Kian explained that south-facing balconies are likely to produce the best results overall, although east- and west-facing spaces may still generate meaningful electricity depending on shading levels and exposure to sunlight throughout the day.

2. Garden walls and garages offer more flexibility

For houses, Kian Milroy suggests outdoor structures such as garages, garden walls and permanent outbuildings provide greater ability to adjust positioning for plug-in solar systems.

“Garages and garden spaces may offer more flexibility, particularly if the solar panels can be angled towards the sun," he explains.

Unlike fixed rooftop solar PV systems, plug-in solar panels can potentially be mounted in a wider range of locations, as they are not permanently fixed, allowing households to adjust positioning based on sunlight levels and available outdoor space.

3. Patios, terraces and external walls may also work

Kian Milroy also highlighted patios, terraces and external walls as possible installation areas, provided the panels can be mounted securely and receive enough sunlight during the day.

He said the key consideration is avoiding “shaded, unstable or exposed spots where panels could become unsafe”, adding that households should wait for approved products and clear UK safety guidance before installing plug-in solar systems once they become legal.

The engineer noted that placement will ultimately depend on a balance between sunlight exposure, structural safety and safe electrical connection points around the home.

Kian Milroy’s comments highlight how plug-in solar panels could allow homeowners to use a much wider range of spaces for electricity generation beyond the roof itself.

From balconies and garden structures to patios and external walls, the technology's effectiveness will depend heavily on careful placement and safe installation planning once it is introduced in the UK.

New electrical standards coming into force on 15 April 2026 will change how home battery systems are installed across the UK.

The update to the building regulation BS 7671, published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the British Standards Institution (BSI), introduces tighter rules on where batteries can safely be located.

Lofts and other high-risk areas are now excluded in an effort to improve fire safety and access.

What the new rules say

The new electric rules are set out in Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018, the UK’s main wiring regulations, which are jointly published by the IET and BSI through the national wiring committee JPEL/64.

The updated guidance introduces a new dedicated section on stationary battery storage systems, including solar batteries, and sets out stricter requirements for their installation.

In practical terms, the rules state that home battery systems should not be installed in loft spaces or escape routes, such as stairways or hallways, where risk is considered higher and access for maintenance or emergency isolation is more difficult.

The update also introduces clearer expectations around safe installation conditions, including ventilation, physical access, and safe isolation points for maintenance.

Why the rules are changing

The revisions are largely driven by safety concerns linked to lithium-ion battery technology, which is now widely used in home energy storage systems.

The IET and BSI-backed standard focuses on reducing the risk of thermal runaway, a condition where battery cells overheat and can potentially ignite.

Lofts are considered unsuitable for several reasons highlighted in industry guidance aligned with BS 7671:

• High temperatures in roof spaces can increase battery stress
• Limited access can delay detection of faults or fires
• Escape routes increase the safety risk if a fire occurs
• Fire spread can be faster in loft spaces due to timber structures and insulation materials

Industry guidance accompanying the standard also stresses the need for batteries to be installed in locations where they can be safely isolated, inspected and maintained.

Where batteries can now be installed

While loft installations are no longer acceptable under the updated guidance, home battery systems can still be installed in a range of safer, more accessible locations.

The standards point towards installations in:

• Ground floor utility rooms
• Garages or dedicated plant areas
• External walls in suitable weatherproof enclosures
• Outbuildings where access and ventilation requirements are met

The key requirement is that systems must be installed in accessible, ventilated locations that do not compromise escape routes and allow safe maintenance and isolation.

In practice, this means homeowners and installers will need to plan battery placement more carefully, rather than treating loft spaces as a default storage location.

From 15 April 2026, updated electrical safety rules come into effect across the UK, changing how modern home systems are installed and maintained.

The building regulation updates affect solar batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and smart home wiring, including how data and electricity interact in the home.

Homeowners, renovators, and builders need to understand these changes in detail to ensure their homes meet the new safety requirements.

1. Solar batteries

The new rules introduce clear requirements for solar battery systems, often paired with solar panels:

• Batteries cannot be installed in lofts, narrow cupboards, or escape routes. They must be in accessible, ventilated areas.
• Battery enclosures must allow proper airflow to prevent heat buildup, particularly for lithium-ion systems.
• Batteries must have clear disconnection points to allow safe isolation during maintenance.
• Spacing, enclosure materials, and installation methods must meet stricter fire safety standards.

2. EV chargers

Updated requirements for electric vehicle chargers include:

• Chargers must have proper circuit protection to prevent overload or short circuits.
• Chargers must be correctly earthed and include disconnection points for safe maintenance.
• Chargers must be installed in accessible locations without creating obstruction or hazards.

3. Power over ethernet and home data wiring

The new rules have stricter guidance over rewiring and the safe integration of power and data in modern homes:

• Data cables carrying electricity (PoE) must be rated to handle the electrical load safely without overheating.
• Data cables must be separated from standard mains circuits to prevent interference and electrical hazards.
• Smart home systems, security networks, and LED lighting circuits must follow these wiring guidelines to operate safely.

4. Functional earthing for home electronics

Functional earthing rules clarify the difference between earthing for safety and earthing for equipment performance:

• Electronics and networked devices such as computers, media servers, and smart hubs must have functional earthing arrangements.
• Proper earthing reduces interference and ensures reliable operation of home electronics.

5. Energy efficiency in electrical installations

New requirements encourage energy-efficient home electrical systems:

• Circuits should be designed to minimise electricity loss.
• Wiring layouts should consider energy efficiency alongside safety.
• Smart energy management and monitoring systems may be incorporated to improve efficiency.

From 15 April 2026, all new or upgraded home electrical systems must follow these updated safety and installation rules. Existing systems already in place will not be forced to make the changes, but will no longer be to regulation.

Solar batteries, EV chargers, smart home wiring, functional earthing, and energy-efficient layouts now have specific requirements for placement, ventilation, isolation, and performance.

Homeowners and renovators must plan installations according to these rules to ensure safe, compliant, and modern energy systems.

With the cost of living rocketing, not least of all as a result of rising energy bills, I have been intrigued, as have many of us, by the idea of living in a home with no energy bills.

So, when I was given the chance to visit an Octopus Energy Zero Bills home I leapt at the opportunity – particularly as it wasn't just one home, it was 89 of them.

I don’t really know what I was expecting from the visit. Zero bills just sounded too good to be true but, on the other hand, I also know from experience that Octopus Energy have had previous successes in this arena with some innovative software. I wanted the concept to work, as after all, who wouldn't want a zero bills home?

What's different about these zero bills homes?

In the past few years there have been many house building standards introduced to improve the fabric of the building, with the overall aim of reducing the energy consumption of the home.

Whereas the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the assessment method used for current building regulations, and is key to producing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), it will inevitably be replaced in the near future by Home Energy Modelling (HEM) with the full adoption of the Future Homes standard.

Other assessment methodologies, such the Code for Sustainable homes, Super E, Carbonlite, BREEAM and PassivHaus have been created by various organisations to try and improve on SAP and deliver energy efficient homes to as close to net-zero carbon emissions as possible.

However, all of these standards are able to deliver homes to a very high performance specification, but none of them guarantee zero bills for the homeowner.

Octopus Energy's Zero Bills homes on the other hand, are built on the offering that if you follow the specification, fit the prescribed technologies to your home, and hand the control over to Octopus Energy to manage, then they will guarantee you have no energy bills for up to 10 years.

And, while zero bills homes have predominantly been deployed through developers, (over 5000 homes are already approved as eligible for zero bills), self-builders who are undertaking one-off new build homes, can also join the scheme.

Octopus Energy have set a target to have 100,000 zero bills homes by 2030, so there is still time to get involved. Early engagement is key to make sure that you specify the right products, as not all PV, battery systems and heat pumps are compatible.

So what’s the catch I hear you ask. Well, there isn’t one, but, there are some rules. Clearly you cannot heat up your neighbour's house, or charge every electric car in the street for other people, but that doesn't mean they don't come with some impressive renewable energy tech.

What's included in these zero bills home?

The site I visited, Hollymead Square, is a development site being developed by The Hill group in Newport, Essex, and has 89 mixed-tenure energy efficient 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes, as well as 2-bed bungalows.

All of the zero bills properties have all been installed with photovoltaic solar panels, solar battery storage, electric vehicle charger and an air source heat pump. It's definitely a high-end development, and one of the better sites I have visited.

The rooms in the homes are large and there is a great sense of space in every home I visited. Wet underfloor heating is standard on the ground floor, with radiators upstairs, all designed for the low temperature heat pump systems.

The developers have said that the home insulation level is above current building regulations, with predicted SAP being 113/100 depending on the house type and specification. This compares very favourably against an average SAP of around 85/100 for new homes in the UK, and equates to an A-rating EPC.

The homes also have a SAP CO2 reduction of around 105%, compared with homes built to building regulations Part-L 2021. These particular homes were designed in the early days of the zero bills concept, and have a 5-year zero bill guarantee.

Hannah McCarthy, head of zero bills at Octopus Energy, has also said that she sees no reason why this 5-year tariff, or the newer specification 10-year guarantee, could not be continued after the guaranteed time period has passed.

What are the requirements for these homes to be classified as zero bills?

I was still curious about the zero bills claim and how that worked, wondering if there was some sort of formula that would require a whole field of solar panels and a large room full of solar batteries.

Thankfully, this isn't the case. The process of assessment for an Octopus Energy Zero Bills home involves an individual assessment, taking into account a variety of details, including roof analysis, SAP assessment, orientation and occupancy.

Looking at an average home on this site of around 150m2 floor area, it had between 8kWp to 10kWp of solar PV panels (around 20 to 24 panels), a minimum of 13kW of battery storage, an electric vehicle charger and an air source heat pump designed and commissioned to cover the full heat load of the home.

The annual energy use of the home must equal the annual ‘generation’ from the PV panels over a whole year, and there is an additional fair use allowance of 4000 kWh (units of electricity) per year.

Putting that into perspective, a new build home would be expected to use between 8000kWh and 10000kWh per year. Considering that an 8kWp (south facing) solar PV array should also generate up to around 8000kWh per year then the additional 4000kWh makes the scheme very appealing, and it is also quite clear that there is no apparent ‘catch’.

You would normally expect to generate far more energy in summer and use far more in winter, but as the energy use is based on a whole year, these two can balance out.

What are the advantages of these zero bill homes?

One of the key lifestyle advantages of these Octopus Energy Zero Bills homes is that the homeowner can use energy at any time of day. They can put the tumble dryer on and cook meals whenever they want, as they are not limited to using certain tariffs at different times.

There is no time management required, no need to programme appliances to operate at midnight, and no limitation on the heating during the day in winter. There is also no standing charge, which saves a further 65p a day.

Unfortunately, electric vehicle charging is not included in the scheme. This is charged at the intelligent Octopus Energy rate, but this means you can still benefit from cheaper charging at the off-peak night time tariff.

Homeowners can also leave the scheme if they choose to manage the technologies themselves, there is no tie in and no commitment. The only condition being that you can't leave the scheme every summer to enjoy export tariffs when the sun is shining, and rejoin it in winter.

If things go to plan, it would be nice to think zero bills could be the way we all live in the future.

While we may not be quite at the stage where I say yes, you can turn any home into a zero bills home, in an ideal world, my kids will come to me when they are older and say, “Hey Dad! Remember those days when you used to moan about those things called electricity bills?” And I will say, “Yes, son! They’re a bit like telephones, DVDs and petrol stations….. nobody uses them anymore!”

The UK government has announced that plug‑in solar panels will be available in shops “within months”, marking a new step in making renewable energy more accessible to households.

The panels are small, low-cost units that can be connected directly to a home’s mains socket, allowing households to generate electricity without specialist installation. Retailers, including Lidl are reported to be working with the government and manufacturers to bring the technology to the UK market soon.

Homebuilding & Renovating has learned that while Lidl is exploring selling the panels, the sale is not yet confirmed, but the retailer sees it as a potential way to help families manage energy costs and support net-zero ambitions.

Government pushes plug‑in solar to shop shelves fast

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said plug‑in solar panels will be in UK shops “within months” as part of its wider clean energy strategy.

This comes after the government announced last week they were legalising the sale of plug-in solar panels, despite previous concerns over safety.

Officials said the move is intended to help households cut energy bills and reduce reliance on volatile global fossil fuel markets. 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.”

Retailers such as Lidl and Amazon, alongside manufacturers including EcoFlow, are reported to be working with the government to bring the panels to UK shelves. The government has confirmed that panels will appear in stores as early as this summer.

Lidl confirms ‘plug‑and‑play’ plans

Homebuilding & Renovating has learned that Lidl is exploring the possibility of selling plug‑in solar panels in Great Britain, but the sale is not yet confirmed.

In a statement, Georgina Hall, corporate affairs director at Lidl GB, said: “At Lidl GB, we are committed to making sustainable living affordable for everyone and we welcome the Government’s move to modernise regulations in the UK. Updating the regulatory landscape for this ‘plug‑and‑play’ technology is a positive step towards empowering British households to manage their energy costs and support the nation’s net‑zero ambitions.”

The statement underscores Lidl’s interest in bringing accessible renewable technology to mainstream consumers, though no launch date or pricing has been confirmed.

How it fits with wider policy moves

The plug‑in solar initiative is part of a wider government effort, including the Future Homes Standard, which requires the all new homes in England to be built with solar panels and low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps.

Ministers have linked these measures to improving energy security amid global pressures, including conflict in the Middle East.

A Government spokesperson said that household access to easy-to-use solar products at shops could complement broader clean energy goals and provide families with a way to reduce electricity drawn from the grid, helping lower bills and carbon emissions.

The UK government has confirmed that the long‑awaited Future Homes Standard will now take effect from March 2028, giving builders more time but cementing tougher requirements for new housing.

Under the updated rules, all new homes in England will need to be fitted with heat pumps or other low‑carbon heating systems and be built with solar panels as standard – part of a drive to slash household emissions and energy costs.

The changes form part of broader clean energy measures aimed at improving energy security and reducing the UK’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

1. Heat pumps for all new homes

One of the headline requirements in the Future Homes Standard is that new houses will be heated by low‑carbon systems instead of traditional gas boilers.

This will mean heat pumps, or connections to local heat networks, become the norm for space and hot water heating in new homes - helping homes cut emissions and run more efficiently.

The new rules are expected to reduce household energy use by around 75 % compared with homes built under older standards.

2. Solar panels as standard, including new plug‑in options

Under the updated Standard, the majority of new homes will be built with solar PV panels fitted as standard, sized in many cases to at least 40 % of the home’s floor area to maximise on‑site renewable generation.

In addition to rooftop solar panels on new homes, the government is also bringing plug‑in solar panels into UK shops within months - small, easy‑to‑install solar units that households can plug into a mains socket to offset electricity use.

These portable panels, already common in parts of Europe, are part of wider efforts to make clean energy more accessible and reduce bills for existing homes too.

3. Stronger energy efficiency and performance standards

The Future Homes Standard raises the bar on energy performance across the board.

New homes will be constructed with much higher levels of insulation, tighter airtightness, and more efficient building fabrics so heating and electricity demand is minimised from the start.

Draft guidance indicates external walls could achieve U‑values of around 0.26 W/m²·K, roofs around 0.16 W/m²·K, floors around 0.18 W/m²·K, and windows about 1.6 W/m²·K, while air permeability may be limited to roughly 8 m³/h·m² at 50 Pa.

These improved performance standards complement the requirements for heat pumps and solar, making new homes genuinely low‑carbon and easier to run over their lifetime.

Looking ahead

The Future Homes Standard will mark a major shift in how new homes are built in England, with heat pumps, solar panels, and tighter, better-insulated building fabrics becoming standard features.

While the rules set clear targets for energy performance and carbon reduction, it remains to be seen how effectively they will cut household energy bills or reduce emissions in practice, especially given variations in construction quality and real-world usage.

The coming years will show whether these measures deliver on their promise to make homes greener and more energy-efficient.

The government is to legalise plug-in solar panels for use in homes across the UK in response to the Middle East crisis.

Plug-in solar panels are compact, portable modules that homeowners can install themselves – without the need for an electrician – in gardens, on walls or balconies and plug straight into a mains socket.

The devices were previously banned for use in homes due to safety concerns, with a potential fire risk warning due to compatibility with UK electrical systems and ring mains. It is unclear how or if this will be addressed before the ban is lifted.

However, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband overturned the ban, saying these easy-to-use cheap devices could help families cut bills and strengthen their energy security compared to traditional rooftop solar panels.

It means families could potentially buy solar panels at the supermarket while doing their weekly shop. Supermarkets have yet to confirm if they will be stocking the cheap energy source when the ban is overturned.

Government announces plug-in solar plan

As part of a push to go “further and faster” in energy security, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed in a statement seen by Homebuilding & Renovating that plug-in solar will be made available for households in the UK for the first time.

These panels, already popular across Europe, are designed to be easy to install without professional electricians and can feed electricity directly into a home’s mains wiring.

“Global events demonstrate there’s not a moment to waste in our drive for clean power because there can be no energy security while we are so dependent on fossil fuels,” said Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. “We are bringing forward the next renewables auction and announcing that plug-in solar will be available for the first time in Britain.”

Alongside plug-in solar, the government is accelerating its Warm Homes Plan and renewables auctions, aiming to get clean energy into homes faster and provide practical savings for households.

Why was plug-in solar previously illegal?

Plug-in solar panels were previously restricted under UK electrical safety laws, primarily because connecting a generator directly to a home’s mains wiring without proper certification could risk fire or electrical shock.

Unlike professionally installed rooftop systems, plug-in panels bypass the need for a certified electrician, meaning there were no clear safety standards or regulatory approvals for domestic use.

A government spokesperson said in December 2025: "Plug-in solar panels are not permitted because they must comply with existing electrical safety and wiring standards, and the government has begun a safety review to determine how they can be deployed safely."

Why the ban on plug-in solar is being overturned

Plug-in solar offers a low-cost, DIY-friendly option for homeowners who want to start generating their own electricity.

It’s particularly appealing for those with small gardens or outdoor wall space, where installing a full rooftop system might be expensive or complicated. By reducing reliance on the grid, these small systems can help cut electricity bills immediately, while contributing to national energy resilience.

Adam Bastock, founder of People, Planet, Pint, highlighted the convenience: “You can plug them straight into your wall. Buy a solar panel from a supermarket, hang it somewhere with sunlight, and plug it in like any other device. The biggest saving is there’s no need to get an electrician to install them.”

Cost comparison: Plug-in vs traditional solar panels

Using the latest Octopus Energy figures for professional rooftop systems, the differences become clear:

Plug-in solar

• Small systems (~400–800 W) cost roughly £280–£966 depending on capacity.
• Typical annual savings: £88–£210.
• Payback period: around 3–6 years, assuming you use the electricity as it’s generated.
• Low upfront cost, fast DIY installation, quick savings.
• Output is low compared to rooftop systems, won’t power a whole house, and safety standards are still being finalised.

Traditional rooftop solar

• A basic 2-panel system: £6,163 installed.
• Larger rooftop system with optional battery: £8,518–£9,691 (based on Octopus Energy figures)
• Potential annual savings: up to £600–£700+, with payback over 9–11 years.
• Higher energy generation can reduce most of a household’s bills, potentially earning through export Smart Export Guarantee tariffs.
• High upfront cost, requires scaffolding and certified installation, and longer lead time.

Therefore, plug-in solar is a quick, cheap entry point into home solar, while rooftop systems offer far larger savings and energy independence over the long term.

Plug-in solar panels to buy

Is plug-in solar a good DIY option?

For homeowners and renovators, plug-in solar could potentially be an attractive first step if safety concerns are addressed. This is because:

• It’s low-risk and quick to install, perfect for a garden wall or small outdoor space.
• Ideal for budget-focused renovations where a full rooftop system is impractical.
• While it won’t replace the savings of a professional rooftop install, combining it with insulation, heat pumps, or other energy upgrades can significantly reduce household bills.

However, UK regulations for plug-in solar are being finalised, so systems must meet wiring and certification standards before use.

Ultimately, plug-in solar gives UK homeowners a fast, affordable way to start generating clean energy, while full rooftop systems remain the best choice for those aiming for maximum savings and long-term energy independence.

Nationwide is expanding its Green Additional Borrowing offer, letting homeowners borrow up to £20,000 interest-free for eco-friendly home improvements.

The scheme is available for existing mortgage customers and includes upgrades like solar panels, insulation, and energy-efficient windows.

Following a successful first round in 2024, demand is high, and homeowners looking to create their own eco homes are urged to apply quickly before availability runs out.

0% loans: How do they work?

The Green Additional Borrowing mortgage allows existing Nationwide mortgage holders to borrow between £5,000 and £20,000 at 0% interest for either two or five year terms.

The loan must be used exclusively for energy-saving improvements, such as boiler upgrades, solar panels, air-source heat pumps, loft or cavity wall insulation, double or triple glazing, and electric car charging points. Monthly payments remain interest-free for the chosen term, after which the remaining balance converts to Nationwide’s standard mortgage rate.

Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s Group Director of Mortgages, said: “We are committed to helping our members improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Extending our zero per cent Green Additional Borrowing products will help another five thousand households who want to retrofit their home and can afford long-term investment but struggle to meet the upfront costs.”

This is an expansion of the 2024 offer, which proved extremely popular. That scheme, also allowing up to £20,000 for green home upgrades, saw its first allocation sell out quickly, demonstrating the appetite for affordable, eco-friendly home improvements.

Who qualifies for Nationwide's 0% loans?

To access the Green Additional Borrowing, homeowners must have an active Nationwide mortgage, with the combined total of their existing mortgage and the additional borrowing not exceeding 90% of the property’s value.

The additional borrowing term cannot exceed the remaining term of the existing mortgage, and only one Green Additional Borrowing mortgage per property is allowed.

Nationwide recommends that interested homeowners act quickly, as the previous round in 2024 sold out fast due to high demand for energy-efficient upgrades.

Why it matters for homeowners

With energy costs rising and climate concerns increasing, the mortgage gives homeowners a practical way to make their homes more energy-efficient without upfront costs.

Home improvements financed through this scheme can reduce energy bills, increase property value, and contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation goals.

By doubling the availability from the initial 2024 offer, Nationwide is making it easier for thousands more households to access interest-free funding for green upgrades, but limited availability means acting quickly is essential.

A major change is coming to how the energy efficiency of homes is measured in the UK – one that could affect every builder, developer, and renovator.

The government has announced the Home Energy Model, a new system set to replace the current Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and to calculate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

For decades, SAP has been used to estimate a home’s energy use, but it relies on simplified assumptions and averages.

The Home Energy Model will use a different methodology to calculate energy use, taking into account the building, its systems, and how it is used, which we will explore to give you all the information you need once it is finally introduced.

Why the Home Energy Model is being introduced?

SAP uses simplified assumptions and monthly averages to estimate energy use. This approach does not fully reflect how modern homes operate, particularly those with heat pumps, solar panels, batteries, or other energy technologies.

The Home Energy Model addresses these limitations by simulating energy use over time, considering how homes are built and how they are occupied.

David Hilton, a renewable energy expert, commented on this transition: “Any new product takes time to transition in and there will need to be a lot of training, re-education and debugging of the system before it can finally settle. This transition is the key.”

For builders and renovators, this means energy assessments will provide a clearer view of a home’s performance, supporting design decisions, retrofits, and compliance with energy regulations.

How will the Home Energy Model work?

The Home Energy Model will estimate how much energy a home uses over the course of a year, producing a detailed simulation of heating, hot water, and electricity use.

It will take into account:

• The building itself – walls, floors, roof, windows, and insulation
• Heating and cooling systems – including boilers, heat pumps, and ventilation systems
• Renewable energy and storage – such as solar panels or batteries
• How the home is used – occupancy patterns and appliance use

From this information, the model produces results that show:

• Total energy use for heating, hot water, and electricity
• Energy use patterns throughout the day and across the seasons
• Energy performance metrics for EPCs, including running costs and carbon emissions

David Hilton also highlighted the challenge of introducing a new system to the industry: “The Home Energy Model looks to be a welcome improvement on SAP but until we actually have the final product and can see how it works and how it will be rolled out into industry it is very difficult to know what it will mean for the industry… I also wonder how keen the industry is for yet another change that will inevitably cost time and money in an already difficult market.”

The Home Energy Model turns information about a home and its use into a simulation of energy performance, which will be applied to building regulations and Energy Performance Certificates.

When will the Home Energy Model be introduced?

The Home Energy Model will be introduced when the Future Homes Standard comes into effect, setting updated energy efficiency requirements for newly built homes.

Initially, it will be used to assess compliance with the new standard. Over time, it will also be applied to Energy Performance Certificates for new and existing homes.

David Hilton noted the potential scepticism around the rollout: “There will inevitably be large amounts of scepticism due to history being plagued with expensive Government schemes that were destined to fail or were cancelled due to political U-turns. Something needs to be done, and hopefully this is it, but the reality of its efficacy will only really be evident in the fullness of time.”

During the rollout, there will be a transition period where both SAP and the Home Energy Model are available, giving builders, assessors, and software providers time to adapt.

What this means for builders and renovators

Once in use, the Home Energy Model will affect how energy performance is calculated and reported. Builders and renovators will need to:

• Consider how insulation, windows, heating systems, and renewable technologies affect energy ratings
• Understand that assessments and EPCs will be based on a simulation of how the home is used throughout the year, rather than simplified averages
• Plan for training and software updates, as the model is integrated into compliance checks and EPC production

David Hilton commented on the practical implications for industry professionals: “Any new product takes time to transition in and there will need to be a lot of training, reeducation and debugging of the system before it can finally settle. This transition is the key.”

The Home Energy Model will provide a consistent framework for assessing energy use and efficiency, helping industry professionals plan, build, and retrofit homes in line with updated regulations.

The Home Energy Model represents the next step in how the UK measures home energy performance. By simulating energy use in detail, it aims to provide more accurate assessments for building regulations and EPCs.

Builders and renovators will need to understand its implications, plan for the transition, and consider how building materials, systems, and occupancy affect energy performance.

While the system is not yet in use, preparing for the Home Energy Model now can help the industry adapt smoothly when it is introduced alongside the Future Homes Standard.

Homeowners could soon make real money from the renewable energy projects around their homes that could also save them from rising energy prices.

The UK’s new Local Power Plan will let residents buy shares in local solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage schemes, turning nearby clean energy into a potential income stream.

Ministers and industry leaders say this is a historic opportunity for ordinary people to benefit directly from the green energy transition, putting households in control and letting them earn while their communities generate electricity.

What the new Local Power Plan means

The UK Government and Great British Energy have unveiled a sweeping strategy for community and local energy, described in official documents as “the biggest public investment in community energy in this country’s history.”

This plan aims to expand clean energy projects such as solar panels on community buildings, battery storage and other renewable generation assets that are owned and led locally.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the drive for clean energy was about creating an economy that “works for the many, not just the wealthy and powerful in our society” and that local and community energy is central to that vision. He added that the government wants people to be able to “own and control clean energy so the profits flow into your community not simply out to the big energy companies.”

Great British Energy’s CEO Dan McGrail said the investment is intended to deliver “cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy for our communities.” The plan includes measures to support up to 1,000 community and local energy projects, offering grants, loans and advisory support so groups and individuals can be more directly involved in clean power generation.

How homeowners could benefit

One of the key aims of the Local Power Plan is to help communities participate in renewable energy schemes through shared ownership and other collaborative models.

The policy explicitly discusses developing investable business models and exploring ways to make it easier to share generated power locally, which could translate into opportunities for local people to invest in and benefit from projects in their area.

Stakeholders from community energy organisations have welcomed this emphasis on local involvement. Repowering London’s Chief Executive Afsheen Kabir Rashid said the investment puts “money directly into people’s pockets through reduced bills, quality jobs and meaningful local investment.”

While the government announcement does not dictate how share offers will work in practice, existing community energy groups often use shared ownership structures where local people can invest and help fund renewable infrastructure.

This means homeowners could, in future, have clearer pathways to take part in local energy schemes that return value to communities, whether through access to energy revenue, savings on energy bills, or community reinvestment.

What happens next

The Local Power Plan says the government will continue working with devolved authorities, local councils and community organisations to improve the landscape for community energy projects.

It also notes the intention to consult on regulatory and business model changes that could make shared local ownership more accessible.

Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities Miatta Fahnbulleh said strong communities are “the backbone of our society” and that the plan’s support aims to empower local people with the tools and funding they need to deliver projects that matter to them.

Officials say the next step is a detailed consultation process, expected to continue through 2026, which will explore how to operationalise shared ownership and local participation in clean energy - potentially giving homeowners and local investors new ways to benefit from the UK’s transition to net‑zero power.

Around 800,000 households across England, Wales and Scotland that receive Feed-in Tariff payments from solar panels will earn less over time after the Government confirmed a change to how the scheme is uprated.

From 1 April 2026, annual increases will be linked to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rather than the Retail Prices Index (RPI), which has historically been higher.

MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis said the change was “not good news” for solar households, adding that “from 1 April it’ll get a little worse”, though he noted it could have been far worse.

What is changing from April

From 1 April 2026, Feed-in Tariff payments will rise in line with CPI inflation instead of RPI.

While payments will continue to increase each year, the switch means those increases are likely to be smaller. Ofgem will publish the new CPI-linked tariff rates for the 2026/27 year before the changes take effect.

Who will be affected

The changes apply only to existing Feed-in Tariff customers, as the scheme closed to new applicants in 2019 and was replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee.

Households already signed up typically receive fixed payments for generating and exporting electricity under long-term contracts, often lasting up to 25 years.

Because CPI is generally lower than RPI, households will earn less over the remaining lifetime of their agreements.

Why the Government made the change and what it means going forward

The Government has argued that RPI can overstate inflation and that CPI is a more widely used and accurate measure.

It has also said the move will help reduce the overall cost of the scheme, which is funded through levies on household electricity bills. Earlier proposals to freeze Feed-in Tariff rates for several years were dropped following criticism, with Martin Lewis warning such a move would have been a “breach of promise”.

While the Government has stepped back from freezing payments altogether, the shift to CPI means many Feed-in Tariff households will still see their returns eroded over time, marking a quiet but significant change for long-standing solar incentives.

With energy bills rising, families across Britain are struggling to keep their homes warm while managing ever-rising costs.

Now, the government’s new Warm Homes Plan could offer a lifeline, giving eligible low-income households up to £12,000 worth of solar panels and batteries completely free of charge.

For those who don’t qualify for fully funded upgrades, the scheme also provides low- and zero-interest loans, making it easier for more families to invest in solar panels, cut their energy bills and switch to cleaner, more efficient energy sources.

You can get thousands of pounds worth of solar panels for free

Who qualifies for free solar panels and upgrades?

The Warm Homes Plan includes a targeted fund – backed by about £5 billion – to provide fully funded packages of upgrades for low-income and fuel-poor households.

Under this strand, eligible families could receive solar panels and solar batteries installed at no charge, with typical combined solar panel costs currently estimated at around £9,000–£12,000.

Eligibility is generally based on income, benefits and property criteria – for example, household income thresholds (often circa £36,000 or less) and receipt of means-tested benefits like Universal Credit.

In many local areas, properties must also meet minimum energy performance standards to qualify (e.g., certain EPC ratings).

How homeowners can apply

The government is rolling out Local Grant schemes through local authorities, meaning homeowners typically apply through their council’s online portal or via a postcode eligibility tool.

Applicants generally enter basic details such as address, household income and any benefits received; if eligible, local officials arrange a home energy survey free of charge to decide what upgrades are suitable.

Once approved, certified installers carry out the work at no upfront cost.

What the plan offers beyond solar panels

For households that don’t qualify for fully funded upgrades, the plan still offers government-backed low- and zero-interest loans to help pay for solar panels, battery storage and heat pumps – removing much of the cost barrier.

Homeowners can also still use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offering £7,500 off the price of a heat pump, aimed at helping more families switch to low-carbon heating.

The government has also confirmed that from early 2026, all new homes in England will be built with solar panels as standard under the Future Homes Standard.

'The start of a nationwide rooftop revolution'

Industry experts have welcomed the government’s support for solar panels and batteries while noting practical considerations for homeowners.

Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery at Solar Energy UK, said: "Solar panels and batteries could help households reduce energy bills, and the grants and loans will make rooftop solar accessible to more people."

Simon McWhirter, CEO of the UK Green Building Council, said: "This initiative helps households move away from volatile fossil fuels while future-proofing homes against rising bills and a warming climate. It represents the start of a nationwide rooftop revolution."

Ultimately, families across the country can benefit from free or affordable solar panels, batteries and home improvements, helping them manage rising energy bills and move toward cleaner energy.

Thousands of UK homeowners with solar panels are being warned they could face an automatic £100 fine if they miss the 31 January online self-assessment deadline.

Many households earn money through the Smart Export Guarantee by selling surplus energy generated from their panels back to the grid.

Combined with side-hustle income, this can push earnings above HMRC’s £1,000 tax-free trading allowance, creating a legal requirement to declare the income.

Rising numbers of solar panel owners at risk

Around 1.6 million UK households now have solar panels, with many earning over £300 a year through Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments.

George Penny, Energy Expert at The Solar Co explains, “With hundreds of thousands of Brits earning through solar, it’s easy to unintentionally exceed the £1,000 trading allowance, especially when combined with other side income.”

With 39% of the UK workforce now having side hustles, many homeowners may be unaware they need to declare this additional income to HMRC.

Understanding the £100 penalty and escalating fines

The £100 fine is triggered automatically if an online self-assessment is not submitted by the 31 January deadline.

Penny warns: “Even a small delay can result in penalties, and after three months, daily fines of £10 can apply, escalating further after six and 12 months.”

For some solar owners, these fines could wipe out a significant portion of their annual SEG earnings, making timely filing crucial.

Practical steps to ensure your return is correct

George Penny recommends that homeowners calculate all sources of income carefully, including SEG payments and any side hustles, before completing their return.

He adds: “If you’re unsure whether your solar income needs reporting, it’s safer to declare it early rather than risk a fine.”

Additionally, keeping a clear record of energy statements and receipts can make filing faster and reduce the risk of errors, while setting reminders ahead of the 31 January deadline helps avoid last-minute problems.

Scotland has opened its first Zero Bills homes, with 57 properties at the Tranent Grove development in Dundee eligible for a tariff that covers household energy costs for up to 10 years.

Each home is equipped with solar panels, heat pumps, home batteries, and smart meters to generate and manage most of its own electricity.

The site is the first in Scotland for Octopus Energy’s scheme, which is part of a nationwide rollout targeting 100,000 of the eco homes by 2030.

How Zero Bills homes work

Octopus Energy Zero Bills homes are designed to produce the majority of their own energy on-site. Residents are allocated 10 megawatt-hours (MWh) of free electricity per year - roughly enough for a well-insulated three-bedroom house.

The homes use a combination of solar panels, solar batteries, and heat pumps, along with smart energy systems, to optimise electricity usage.

Any energy consumed beyond the annual allocation is charged at standard rates, and electricity used for charging electric vehicles is not included in the scheme.

Scotland the 'perfect next spot' for Zero Bills homes

“Scotland is a renewable energy powerhouse – making it the perfect next spot for us to roll out Zero Bills homes,” said Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Director at Octopus Energy.

He added that the scheme uses advanced technology to ensure energy is used when it is cheapest or greenest, while most households remain under the free energy threshold.

Octopus Energy launched the Zero Bills scheme in 2022 and has already approved eligibility for over 5,000 homes across the UK. The Dundee site aims to demonstrate how the technology can be applied in practice, with households benefitting from energy-efficient design combined with smart energy management.

Wider rollout and potential impact

The Zero Bills scheme is primarily targeted at new and self-build homes, but could expand to retrofitted older properties in the future.

By providing guaranteed free electricity for up to a decade, the scheme offers households financial certainty amid rising energy prices.

Octopus Energy plans to deliver 100,000 homes under the Zero Bills model by 2030, making energy-efficient, low-cost living more accessible to UK residents.

As energy prices continue to climb, community‑scale solar projects are emerging as a potential lifeline for British households and public facilities alike.

By pooling demand and installing solar panels collectively, neighbourhoods can unlock lower costs and shared savings that individual homeowners often struggle to achieve.

Recent UK initiatives and studies show measurable bill reductions and growing community interest, even as cost and policy challenges persist.

Community solar can cut energy costs and empower neighbourhoods

Evidence from UK pilot projects shows the financial benefits of shared solar initiatives. In Cheshire and Warrington, the Solar Together group‑buying scheme has attracted nearly 4,000 households and cut installation prices by around 38% – lowering barriers to adoption and likely reducing future energy spending for participating residents.

Elsewhere, community energy groups such as Croydon Community Energy report local solar systems saving community centres £1,500–£3,000 a year on power bills, with plans to expand to hundreds more homes through collective funding.

Government figures on rooftop solar deployment project that widespread adoption could deliver typical household savings of about £500 through reduced grid electricity use.

Shared power schemes can spread the financial and practical benefits

Beyond cost savings, community solar helps people who otherwise can’t install panels on their own roofs – for example, renters or households with unsuitable buildings.

Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggests community solar projects can drive up to 20–50% greater participation in renewable energy adoption in areas where individual installations are impractical.

Community‑owned solar schemes in London, Edinburgh and South Wales have generated over £100,000 in collective savings and local benefit funds while creating jobs and supporting fuel poverty programmes.

Trials like the CommUNITY project in Brixton illustrate how residents can benefit through flexible pricing and energy storage, with participating households saving about £8.20 a month on electricity bills (£98.40 a year).

Policy drivers and challenges for scaling up community solar

The UK government is prioritising solar to tackle high energy costs, investing in clean energy upgrades for public buildings that could produce £650 million in annual bill savings over the next decade.

However, rooftop solar systems are still relatively expensive compared with international standards – even as solar installation costs fall, typical UK systems can cost several thousand pounds per home.

Community solar also faces regulatory and financial hurdles: recent evidence submitted to Parliament highlights that community PV costs remain roughly twice those of large utility‑scale solar, and advocates are calling for targeted incentives akin to past feed‑in tariffs to make local projects more viable.

This shows that community solar panels are more than a rooftop trend – they’re a pathway to shared savings, local energy resilience, and lower bills at a time when UK families and councils are squeezed by rising prices and grid volatility.

UK homebuyers can now more easily spot properties that dramatically reduce energy costs thanks to a new feature from Rightmove, developed in partnership with Octopus Energy.

The Zero Bills label highlights homes equipped with green technology such as heat pumps, solar panels, and batteries, making it simple for movers to find properties that are both eco-friendly and cost-efficient.

The partnership comes as demand for eco homes rises, with buyers increasingly looking for properties that combine comfort, lower bills, and a smaller carbon footprint.

How the 'Zero Bills' feature works

The Zero Bills label flags homes on Rightmove listings powered by Octopus Energy’s world-first Zero Bills smart tariff, which guarantees no home energy bills for 5–10 years when paired with cutting-edge green technology.

This includes heat pumps, solar panels, and battery storage that reduce reliance on traditional gas or electricity. By integrating these technologies, the system provides cleaner energy while delivering significant financial savings for homeowners.

Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, said: "Most people now know someone benefitting from a cost-slashing electric car, and savvy homeowners are starting to search for houses with solar panels and heat pumps too. We’re delighted to team up with Rightmove to help their home-movers spot the greener homes of the future."

Growing demand for greener homes

Interest in green technology is rising sharply in the UK housing market. Rightmove data shows a 46% increase in listings mentioning heat pumps and a 37% rise in references to solar panels year-on-year.

Homeowners are also embracing cleaner tech: research from Octopus Energy found that nine in ten homeowners with heat pumps are glad they switched, with 94% saying their homes are as comfortable - or more so - than with their previous gas boiler.

Johan Svanstrom, CEO of Rightmove, said: "Helping home-movers navigate to a greener future is a priority for Rightmove, and we provide many forms of information for homes-related sustainability. We’re excited to partner with Octopus Energy to unlock more opportunities, drive awareness and adoption, and highlight their innovative energy-saving product on our platform."

Potential savings and benefits for homebuyers

According to Rightmove’s Energy Bills Tracker, moving from a typical UK home with an EPC D rating to a Zero Bills property could save over £2,350 a year on energy costs.

The feature not only helps buyers reduce bills but also makes energy-efficient homes more visible in the property market, potentially boosting their value.

The partnership signals a wider trend toward greener homes becoming a key selling point, combining financial, comfort, and environmental benefits.

By highlighting properties with advanced clean technology, Rightmove and Octopus Energy aim to make it simpler for buyers to choose homes that are both eco-friendly and cost-effective.

Floating solar panels are a growing trend around the world, and the UK seems to be cottoning on to their potential.

The government has just approved the largest floating solar panel project in Barrow in an attempt to generate cheap energy.

The project promises to solve one of the biggest problems with large-scale solar projects, the amount of land that they take up, meaning solar panels could become even more viable across the UK.

UK’s biggest floating solar project gets green light

The new installation at Cavendish Dock in Barrow will cover around 200,000m², roughly a third of the dock’s water surface.

About 47,000 solar panels will be installed on floating pontoons secured to the dock bed.

The project is expected to produce up to 40MWp of electricity, enough to power local port operations and nearby industry. Construction is planned so that existing dock activities can continue alongside the solar panels.

Floating solar is spreading fast worldwide

Floating solar has been growing rapidly across Asia, Europe, and North America. In 2024 alone, more than 1.8GW of floating solar capacity was added globally.

Large installations include China’s 320MW Dezhou plant, projects in Japan and India on reservoirs, and Europe’s hybrid systems on hydropower lakes.

Singapore and the Netherlands are investing in offshore and dock-based panels, while dual-axis tracking systems are used in some inland sites to boost energy output. Floating solar PV is expected to expand as countries seek ways to scale renewable energy efficiently.

A solution to the land-use problem

One key advantage of floating solar is that it doesn’t compete with farmland or green spaces.

In the UK, several of the country’s largest solar farms were approved last year, but they still faced criticism for taking up land, such as these three from last year that were the largest on record.

Floating projects on docks, reservoirs, and industrial ponds provide a way to expand solar capacity without using valuable land.

As pressure grows for renewable energy, water-based panels could become an increasingly important part of the UK’s energy mix, without drawing complaints from locals.

One of the UK’s first real-world trials of all-electric new builds has found that homes fitted with air-source heat pumps and solar panels are using dramatically less electricity than expected.

The homes recorded annual energy use between 40% and 67% lower than the UK average, with peak demand also coming in far below predicted levels.

Researchers say the findings challenge long-standing concerns that heat pumps would overwhelm the grid as Britain phases out gas boilers.

What the study revealed

The research took place at Project 80, a Birmingham social housing development designed to test the principles of the Future Homes Standard.

Seven all-electric homes were monitored for a full year by Birmingham City University. The team found that electricity demand during peak periods was significantly below predicted values, suggesting modelling has been overestimating how much power new electric homes will need.

Dr Mónica Mateo-Garcia, the academic lead on the project, said: “The average peak electricity demand per property was lower than we would expect.” She added that the analysis of carbon savings is still being finalised.

Professor Richard Fitton of the University of Salford, who was not involved in the study, praised the research as “a sterling bit of work” and said: “We currently seem to be overpredicting how much power we need in new-build housing.”

Why heat pumps performed better than predicted

Each home used an air-source heat pump for heating and hot water, alongside high levels of insulation and solar panels. The varied patterns of electricity use across households helped reduce simultaneous peak demand – a key factor in keeping pressure off the grid.

Some homes also used less electricity for heating and hot water than expected when compared with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) estimates, highlighting known issues with EPC accuracy.

Professor Aaron Gillich of London South Bank University said the findings support wider roll-out of heat pumps: “We’re finding that all those reasons not to go ahead with a heat pump are slowly but surely falling away.”

What residents experienced

Residents reported much warmer and drier homes than their previous properties. Dr Mateo-Garcia said: “They were really, really happy to be in those homes. They said: ‘We haven’t seen any damp and mould.’”

An earlier interim report also documented a case where a family that had experienced recurring asthma in past accommodation “had not experienced those symptoms” since moving into a Project 80 home.

The study also uncovered instances of residents inadvertently using their systems inefficiently, such as manually switching on heat emitters or turning off heat pumps entirely and relying on fan heaters.

The report did state: "More needs to be done to help residents understand heat pumps, ventilation and building performance… to optimise efficiency.”

What this means for future homes

The findings lend support to the incoming Future Homes Standard, due in 2027, which will require new homes to include heat pumps and solar panels.

Experts say the evidence from Project 80 shows that real-world electric heating demand is lower and more varied than assumed in current planning models.

Midland Heart, the housing association behind the project, is now exploring adding battery storage to future developments and has plans for a new 95-home scheme based on the same principles.

The UK has just hit its highest level of rooftop solar panel installations ever recorded, making 2025 a landmark year for home energy.

New data from MCS shows that solar has already passed the previous peak set back in 2011, with households and new-build developers installing panels at record speed.

Falling upfront costs, changing building rules, and a growing desire for cheaper, home-grown power are all pushing the numbers up. Many experts say solar is now moving from a “nice-to-have” to a normal feature of homes across the country.

UK rooftop solar installations hit all-time high

Rooftop solar in the UK has reached a new all-time high in 2025, with the number of certified solar panel installations surpassing 203,125 – beating the long-standing record from 2011.

This pushes the total number of certified solar systems nationwide to 1.85 million, marking the strongest year the sector has ever seen.

A major driver behind this rise is the rapid growth of solar on newly built homes. Since MCS started tracking new-build installations in October 2023, more than 139,000 properties have been fitted with panels, representing nearly one-third of all installations in that period. The share has grown further in 2025, and June broke the monthly record with 9,507 new-build solar installations.

With the Future Homes Standard set to be confirmed later this year – requiring most new homes to include low-carbon technologies by 2027 – the new-build market is expected to keep climbing.

Policies and new homes are powering the solar surge

Developers and homeowners are responding to both lower solar costs and clearer government expectations about future building rules.

Solar is becoming a common way to meet energy targets and cut running costs, especially as new housing developments aim to future-proof properties against rising energy prices.

The combination of strong demand, supportive policy and a rapidly expanding installer base has created the conditions for the biggest year the rooftop solar sector has ever seen. For many households, the appeal is simple: lower bills, greater energy independence and a more efficient home.

Which UK regions are leading the solar revolution?

While solar growth is strong across the country, certain areas are taking the lead. According to the latest MCS figures:

• Somerset – 3,741 installations in 2025
• Cornwall – 3,726 installations
• North Yorkshire – 2,780 installations
• County Durham – 2,668 installations
• Wiltshire – 2,545 installations

These top-performing regions show that both rural and urban areas are embracing, what Ed Miliband, the Energy Minister, has termed a "rooftop revolution", with strong activity across the South West, North, and Midlands.

Battery storage is also rising sharply alongside solar. Certified home solar batteries – used to store extra solar power – have jumped 122% compared with the same period last year, reaching around 59,000 in total.

This trend suggests more households want greater control over their energy use and the ability to make the most of the power they generate.

Two UK solar panel firms have been shut down after taking more than £3 million from pensioners through a refund scam that promised government-backed grants to cover installation and maintenance costs.

The Insolvency Service confirmed that Trident West Industries Ltd and Star Solar Ltd misled dozens of homeowners with cold calls and doorstep sales.

The case has reignited warnings for anyone investing in home energy systems to double-check company credentials before signing contracts.

What happened in the £3 million solar scam

Investigators found that sales representatives from both companies targeted elderly homeowners – with an average victim age of 76 - promising government refunds that never existed.

Between May 2023 and January 2025, more than £3.1 million flowed through the companies’ accounts, yet only £7,010 was returned to nine complainants.

Despite multiple County Court Judgments worth over £400,000, the promised equipment and maintenance services were rarely delivered, leaving homeowners out of pocket and without support.

Why it matters for renovators and self-builders

With energy costs high and grants available for green technology, more homeowners are exploring solar options during renovation projects.

But this case highlights the growing number of rogue traders using “green refund” or “solar grant” claims to pressure homeowners into quick decisions.

Money Saving expert, Martin Lewis, gives this advice to avoid solar panel scams: “Use MCS-accredited installers – this ensures work meets industry standards and is properly documented. Never sign under pressure – take your time to review quotes and options before you sign for work.”

How to protect yourself from solar scams

If you’re planning to install solar panels, the Insolvency Service advises researching firms via Companies House and the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC).

Avoid unsolicited offers and be wary of anyone claiming to “upgrade” existing panels for a government refund - a red flag in this case.

Always request written quotes, cooling-off terms, and proof of scheme participation before handing over money.

Fires linked to rooftop solar panels are rising sharply across the UK, sparking concern among fire services and insurers.

New figures show that incidents are growing faster than installations, raising questions about safety oversight in Britain’s clean-energy rollout.

Experts say that while solar remains safe when properly installed, a surge in rushed or poorly maintained systems is putting homes at risk.

How many fires are happening

UK fire services attended 171 solar-related fires in 2024, up from 107 in 2022, according to analysis by insurer QBE.

That equates to roughly one fire every two days, even though rooftop installations grew by only 29.6% during that period. Most of these incidents - 97 in 2024 - occurred in homes.

This has led to concerns that this trend could continue as solar adoption accelerates, with the UK recording a 22% increase in solar panel installations in the first half of 2025, amounting to more than 99,500 new systems.

What’s behind the rise in solar panel fires

Experts point to several key causes behind the uptick in fires. Inverters, the devices that convert solar power into electricity for home use, are the most common source of ignition when placed in cramped lofts or unventilated spaces.

Lithium-ion batteries, increasingly used for storage, can also pose risks if poorly installed or damaged.

Adrian Simmonds, Property Risk Solutions Practice Leader at QBE, says solar power remains crucial to the UK’s clean-energy future but the pace of rollout is exposing weak spots in safety and training.

He says most fires in 2024 began in the inverter or panel itself, components that can overheat when installation or ventilation is inadequate.

What homeowners should watch out for

Fire-risk specialists agree that most solar fires are preventable through good practice.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said it was “concerned” that the government’s push to ease rooftop solar panel rollout did not adequately consider building and fire‑safety risks”.

A spokesperson for the National Fire Chiefs Council says homeowners should view solar systems as complex electrical equipment that needs routine checks just like a boiler or wiring inspection.

Dougie Barnett, risk-director at AXA UK, adds that insurers are seeing more claims linked to installation faults and battery failures, noting that “poor workmanship and skipped inspections are driving many of these incidents.”

Homeowners are advised to ensure their systems are installed by certified professionals, keep solar panels clean and clear of debris, and position solar batteries away from living spaces.

Regular servicing and inspection, experts say, are simple steps that can dramatically reduce the chance of fire while keeping rooftop solar a safe and sustainable part of the UK’s net-zero transition.

Thousands of UK homeowners with solar panels could be hit with unexpected £100 fines this week as the HMRC paper tax return deadline approaches.

Many are unaware that income earned from selling unused solar energy back to the grid could push them over the £1,000 tax-free trading allowance.

With the deadline falling on Friday, homeowners are being urged to check their earnings now to avoid costly penalties.

Solar earnings could tip homeowners over HMRC’s tax-free threshold

With more than 1.6 million UK homes now fitted with solar panels, many are generating extra income through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) - payments for selling unused electricity back to the grid.

While the average household can make around £300 a year, this amount can easily exceed HMRC’s £1,000 trading allowance when combined with other side hustles or freelance income.

Those who cross the threshold must declare their earnings or risk an automatic £100 fine if their tax return isn’t filed on time, even if no tax is owed.

George Penny, Director at The Solar Co and renewable energy expert, explains: “With hundreds of thousands of Brits earning through solar, it’s easy for households to unintentionally cross the threshold - many simply aren’t aware they need to declare this income.”

Paper filers face earlier deadline — and potential penalties

HMRC’s paper self-assessment deadline closes on Thursday, October 31, while online filers have until January 31, 2026.

According to government data, around 2.89% of taxpayers still rely on paper forms, meaning over 18,000 solar panel owners could fall foul of the deadline if their returns don’t arrive in time.

Missing the deadline triggers an immediate £100 fine, with further penalties increasing the longer the return remains unsubmitted.

Penny highlights the urgency: “Even a small delay in submitting a paper return can result in penalties. Homeowners need to act now to avoid unnecessary fines.”

Four quick checks to stay HMRC-ready

Homeowners are being urged to take these four simple steps to ensure they’re ready before the deadline:

• Check your SEG statements – Review your energy export statements to confirm how much income you’ve earned from selling power back to the grid. Add this to any other side hustle income to see if you’ve exceeded the £1,000 allowance.
• File online for extra time – If you miss the paper deadline, you can still file online until January 31, 2026. The digital process is faster, more accurate, and helps avoid late penalties.
• Watch out for HMRC scams – Over 170,000 scam reports were filed last year, with victims losing an average of £1,730. Always use official .gov.uk websites and never click on links in suspicious emails or texts.
• Don’t ignore HMRC letters – If you’ve received a notice to file a return, you must complete it - even if you believe your solar income is below the threshold. Ignoring it can trigger automatic fines that quickly escalate.

A growing number of local councils across England are teaming up with the Solar Together scheme to offer residents steep discounts on solar panels and battery storage through collective purchasing.

Instead of shopping around alone, homeowners can register and benefit from the bargaining power of their community, potentially cutting costs by 10–25 % or more.

Below, we explain what Solar Together is, list the councils already participating, and show how households can gain.

What is Solar Together?

Solar Together is a nationwide group-buying initiative run in partnership with local authorities and delivered by energy specialists iChoosr.

Instead of homeowners negotiating alone, large groups register their interest together. Approved installers then compete in a reverse auction to offer the best price for supply and installation.

Once the auction closes, every registered household receives an offer based on their roof type, energy usage, and system size.

The scheme’s organisers oversee installer vetting and quality control, requiring MCS accreditation and RECC or HIES membership.

The process aims to remove the hassle from going solar, reduce costs, and help councils meet their net-zero goals. In previous rounds, Solar Together participants have reported average savings of between 10 % and 25 % compared to typical market quotes.

Which councils offer Solar Together?

The number of participating councils is growing rapidly. Current and recent partners include:

• Surrey County Council
• Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
• Wiltshire Council
• Swindon Borough Council
• Kent County Council
• Medway Council
• Lincolnshire County Council
• Hertfordshire County Council
• Dacorum Borough Council
• East Herts Council
• Bristol City Council
• Essex County Council
• Wokingham Borough Council
• North East Lincolnshire Council
• Suffolk County Council
• Cambridgeshire County Council
• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

If your local authority isn’t on the list, keep checking as new councils are joining every few months as the scheme expands nationwide.

How can people benefit from Solar Together?

Homeowners can benefit from Solar Together in several ways. By joining a collective purchasing scheme, they gain access to pricing that would usually only be available to large developers.

The reverse auction model means that installers compete to offer the lowest possible solar panel costs, helping participants make significant savings compared with sourcing quotes individually.

The process is designed to be easy from start to finish. Residents register online in just a few minutes, receive a no-obligation offer, and, if they choose to proceed, have a qualified installer handle the entire process from survey to connection. For many, it’s the simplest way to transition to renewable energy without navigating the complexity of comparing multiple suppliers.

There are some considerations: the upfront cost remains an investment, and while Solar Together’s vetting process is rigorous, each household still signs its own contract with the installer, not the council. Homeowners should check warranty details, component specifications, and support options carefully before signing.

Despite those caveats, thousands of residents across the UK have already used Solar Together to power their homes with clean, renewable energy, and with more councils joining the scheme every year, even more households are set to benefit soon.

Solar panels are marketed as a safe, green solution, but what if the very panels on your roof could spark a fire?

It’s a risk many homeowners have never considered, yet recent cases prove that although it is rare it is also very much possible.

So, how can solar panels catch fire and what’s behind these incidents? The answers reveal hidden dangers in wiring, components and installation that every household should understand.

Can solar panels catch fire?

Yes, but often it isn't the panels themselves.

Phil Strickland, Technical Operations Director at 21 Degrees, says: “It wouldn’t normally be the visible glass panels where it starts. Any fire is more likely caused by the DC current in cables or connectors, not the panels themselves.”

He further states, “Even when a system is switched off, sunlight can still generate DC current,” he explains. “If connections are poor or components damaged, that current can arc, overheat and cause a fire. Optimisers convert DC to AC at the panel itself, which helps reduce the chance of fires.”

What regulations are there to prevent solar panel fires?

Regulations and industry standards play a key role in keeping solar installations safe. These regulations aim to cover every part of a solar PV system.

Ian Rippin, CEO of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), stresses the importance of certified systems: “Only invest in certified systems made of certified products, installed by a certified contractor.”

The updated RC62 code of practice, produced with the Fire Protection Association and Solar Energy UK, sets clear standards for design, installation and maintenance to reduce fire risk.

In addition, responding to growing safety concerns, UK manufacturer Solfit recently launched the JT 425Wp in-roof solar panel, built to meet the strictest fire-safety and building regulations. Featuring double-glass laminate and an interlocking metal frame, the panel is installer-friendly and offers 425 watts of output.

Ewen Estill, Solfit’s owner, said: “With UK regulations becoming more rigorous, this panel provides peace of mind without compromising on performance.” The launch follows high-profile fires in Surrey and Bristol, highlighting why choosing certified products and professional installation is essential.

Examples of solar panel fires

There have been several UK incidents showing how even small failures can lead to serious fires:

• In February 2024, a warehouse in Peterborough was devastated by a fire traced to an “electrical fault” in its rooftop solar setup.
• In August 2024, a residential block in Lewisham caught fire; firefighters used special coatings (PVStop) to safely manage the solar arrays.
• In May 2025, housing association properties in Surrey’s Strawberry Fields estate were badly damaged after a blaze involving rooftop solar.
• In July 2025, multiple schools in Northumberland disconnected solar panels following a community centre fire, as a precaution while investigations into safety risk were carried out.

Fire authorities emphasise that while each of these is serious, the total number of solar panel fires remains very small relative to the number of installations, but they underscore the importance of using certified products, good installers, and regular checks.

While solar panels are generally safe, recent UK incidents show that faults, poor installation, or low-quality components can pose a real risk.

Homeowners should remain vigilant, ensure their systems are properly installed, regularly maintained, and meet current safety standards.

Taking these steps can help protect your home and make sure your solar investment remains a safe, sustainable source of energy.

As electricity costs rise, so does the interest in solar panels as a way of generating your own free, clean electricity. But, if your roof isn't suitable for solar PV panels, are ground mounted solar panels worth installing instead?

While not as common as roof mounted panels, solar PV generation is all about sunshine, so if it's not possible to mount panels on the roof of the home, then it may be best to look at a ground mounted system located away from the home – but in an optimum position.

Renewables energy expert, David Hilton is here to explain everything you need to know about ground mounted solar panels, ranging from the reasons why you might need to consider them, through to how they work and their pros and cons.

When to consider ground mounted solar panels

Solar PV panels need to ideally face south at a pitch of around 30° to 40° depending on where you are in the country. If your roof faces in the right direction and is big enough to accommodate around 10 panels on unshaded roof space, then this is usually the ideal location for the solar panel installation, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, in most instances, you usually do not need solar panel planning permission as they are covered under permitted development guidelines. And secondly, it is the most common installation method, so is well understood by installers and homeowners alike.

However, there are many reasons why the roof is not always the ideal location for solar panel installation. If the roof is covered in thatch, brittle tiles or has an undulating contour then it is probably not suitable for solar PV panels.

Likewise, if it faces the wrong way, is shaded, the property is listed or in a restricted area, or the architecture or vernacular will be blighted by the solar panels, then an alternative solution will often be required. And this is where ground mounted solar panels may be a viable alternative form of renewable energy.

What are ground mounted solar panels?

Ground mounted solar arrays are simply a solar panel system that has been fitted to a frame or structure that is fixed to the ground, or to a building other than your home.

If you have a garden building, such as a robust log building, then this can be a great solution to use as a frame, as it also adds a useable space in the garden. The solar panel inverter equipment can be fitted in the building with a separate sub distribution board, and then a standard 230v supply wired back to the main supply in the home, usually via an appropriate armoured cable.

If however a garden building isn't available, then there are two main options for ground mounted solar panels.

Option one is when the panels are physically mounted on a sturdy framework. Most frames will be made of steel or aluminium, but they do need to be anchored to the ground. The structures will often need to be deemed as non-permanent structures, which means that concrete foundations should not be used. Screw pile anchors can be used instead.

Option two is when solar PV panels are mounted onto a pole based system, with the added advantage of many of them including solar tracking functionality that tracks the path of the sun. These are known as solar tracking frames.

There is usually a single central pole anchored firmly in the ground, that has a frame and motor mounted on the top of it. The panels are clamped to the frame and the motor moves it so that it starts facing east in the morning, and then moves towards the west as the sun moves during the day.

They are not as big as most static frames and can usually have around 4 to 8 panels on each frame. They can of course be higher, but this can potentially be a downside, as we'll cover in the next section on the pros and cons of ground mounted solar panels.

Ground mounted solar panels and planning permission

Because they are not installed on a home the new footprint of a ground mounted solar array is likely to require planning permission. According to the Renewable Energy Hub, only the smallest systems will fall under permitted development,

Therefore if your ground mounted solar panel system meets any of the following criteria, you will need to apply for planning permission:

• It is over 4m in height
• It has a footprint greater than 9m2
• It is closer to the road than the nearest part of house
• It is within 5m of the property boundary
• It is in the curtilage of a listed building, an AONB or conservation area

And, you might also find your Local Authority requesting additional conditions relating to height and frame colour to further reduce the visual impact.

Pros and cons of ground mounted solar panels

Although in general, ground mounted solar panels can have the same, if not improved benefits as roof mounted solar panels, there are still some distinct pros and cons to be taken into account if you are considering them as part of your renewable energy plans.

Cons of ground mounted solar panels

As well as the fact ground mounted solar panels will usually need planning permission and incur the necessary fees, whatever frame the panels are fixed to will need to be robust enough to withstand wind loads and wind lift, as well as any other weather events.

So, even though there is no scaffolding required to install ground mounted solar panels, the frames themselves and the anchor systems they require add a lot more cost than the equivalent scaffolding charges.

Plus, the further the panels are away from the home, the more expensive the electrical connection will be too, as the cable needs to be fully protected and often buried in a trench at least 750mm deep. Add to this the fact that the longer the cable is, the thicker it needs to be, and it's easy to understand why costs for ground mounted solar panels can soon start to escalate.

If you also don't have a huge amount of land, you may find yourself losing more of your garden than you hoped, or having to justify the removal of trees and plants to install them. Something which could prove problematic if you have Tree Preservation Orders in place, or bats in trees.

Pros of ground mounted solar panels

That said, costs and the need to apply for planning aside, there are some definite positives to ground mounted solar panels that are worth taking into consideration.

Opting for a ground mounted system gives you greater scope to have more panels, (land and space permitting). As you aren't restricted to the direction your roof faces, they can also be located to face directly south and at the optimal angle to catch maximum light.

The fact they aren't located on a roof also reaps rewards. No structural alterations or work is required to your roof or home, and the low level access makes them much easier to maintain. Even snow for example can be more easily removed, meaning they will perform better, even during the winter.

They can also be mounted on land that perhaps could not be used for other purposes due to slopes, drains or other limitations turning wasted space into something with a financial and ecological benefit.

And, on the subject of money, while they may cost more to buy and install, because they can be installed in the best possible location, ground mounted solar panels can often generate at least 20% more yield than their roof mounted counterparts. This is even more likely with a solar tracking system, that can show an increase of up to 45%.

Although my answer to are solar panels worth it is yes, my final advice before you make your decision regarding ground mounted solar panels is that you need to be fully aware of the conditions that need to be in place.

Firstly, make sure you have sufficient land and space to install them so they are facing in the most optimum direction. This is a system more suited to properties with land, space and fewer neighbouring properties.

Check whether you need planning permission and that all costs have been considered including any ground work, trenching (for cables), additional cable costs and potential maintenance requirements vs the potential return on investment. I'd also recommend you compare the costs and benefits of a tracking system vs a static frame system, as the longer term gains may be worth the additional cost.

Also ensure you avoid one of the most common solar panel problems which results in reduced performance, by checking your ground mounted solar panels won't be shaded in any way not just now, but also in the future.

Good positioning and regular maintenance will also help to ensure they generate as much energy as possible, and be sure to consider a solar power battery to help store the energy your ground mounted solar panels will create.

In the quest to reduce energy bills, many homeowners look to solar Photovoltatic panels as a means of avoiding expensive monthly costs. But, are there solar panel problems we might not be aware of?

Renewable energy expert, David Hilton, first installed solar panels on his house in 2010, when the Feed in Tariff (FiT) of 40p for every unit generated caused a solar panel rush. At the time, they were sold as a fit and forget technology with a guaranteed return on your investment.

So, was it simply a case of installing them and then sitting back and reaping the rewards? David says no, and with the FiT now reduced and payback time extended, he reveals the top 5 solar panel problems he always warns homeowners to be aware of.

1. Shading will reduce the amount of light and solar performance

Everyone knows that solar PV systems need light, as this is what they absorb and convert into electricity. And while it's a solar panel myth that they only work with sunlight, not working when there's lack of daylight isn't a myth.

Consequently, one of the biggest problems solar panels face is a lack of light caused by shading.

The worst culprit? Trees. Trees grow, and what may not have shaded the panels when they were installed could quite easily cause shading a few years later.

In summer the sun is very high in the sky and shading may not be a problem, but it is worth also checking in spring and autumn as well, when the sun is at a lower zenith.

A less obvious cause of shading is other buildings, or parts of buildings. When the panels are installed there may be no shading from buildings but in the passage of time you or your neighbours might choose to build an extension, or add a loft conversion.

Depending on the height of the new additions, a new chimney, dormer or valley extension could end up shading the panels. Satellite dishes, television aerials, soil vent pipes, rooflight windows, boiler flues and log burner flues could also all be added to a home and cause shading as a result.

The consequence? Any shading will have a negative effect on the generation output of the system making it less effective as a means of reducing your energy bills.

2. Damaged panels from dirt and debris

Tucked away on the roof of your home, it's easy to forget that solar panels are exposed to the elements, and as such can be subject to dirt and damage which results in solar panel problems.

However, there are many environmental conditions that can damage panels. Wind, hail stones, flying debris such as branches, roof tiles, stones or other materials have the potential to wreak damage on them.

Autumn in particular can also bring many falling leaves which will coat the panels, especially when they are wet. This severely reduces the amount of accessible light, and while the panels often have what is referred to as self-cleaning glass, this does not mean that they don't need cleaning.

If they are installed at a pitch of over 11 degrees then some of the dirt will naturally come off, and the steeper the pitch the better gravity works, but, depending on your location, pollution, salt air or bird droppings will probably require physical cleaning of the solar panels.

The leaves may need to be brushed off (if you leave them too long they can become stuck to the glass), and it is also worth having the dust cleaned off the panels at least once a year as well.

Most window cleaning companies will now clean the panels so long as they can reach them. A two-storey home is usually okay, but anything taller may need cleaners with specialist long-reach equipment.

It's also important to remember that any loose wires will also move in the wind and could either break with continuous movement, or get ground away and frayed with continued chafing on rough roof materials.

3. Corroded and loose solar panel frames

The average size of a solar PV panel is around 1 metre wide by around 1.8 metres long. 15 years ago most panels had a frame that was 50mm thick, but these days the panel's edge is only 30 – 35mm thick, which means the panels can potentially flex.

This makes it far more important to get the panels firmly fixed to the roof rails, as harsh windy conditions (wind load and wind lift) could over flex the panels and cause them to crack or become dislodged.

Many of the early panels also had the aluminium frames screwed together at the corners with steel screws. Aluminium rails and steel screws create accelerated corrosion, so it is also important to periodically inspect the integrity of the frames, especially in a marine environment such as living in a coastal location.

4. Problems with solar panel inverters

On a solar PV system the panels are wired back to a product called a solar panel inverter. This houses the technology that converts the generated energy into useable energy in the home.

But, there are often cooling fans and electronic components that can fail. On my own PV system for example, I am on my second inverter.

When I installed the PV system the cost of solar batteries was still very high, but these costs have now significantly dropped and I may consider adding one to my home.

The ideal scenario is to use the same inverter for both the PV panels and the battery, but this requires a special inverter called a hybrid inverter. Not all inverters are hybrid versions however, so if your inverter is failing (or has failed) then it is worth paying the uplift for one.

5. Pest and animal infestations

Solar PV panels sit around 100mm off the roof, which means they have a ready made spot for animal habitation.

Birds may try and nest under the panels, and rodents and squirrels can also hide under the panels, causing untold damage when they gnaw at the wires.

Prevention is better than cure, so getting wire mesh, often referred to as bird mesh, fitted around the panels to make sure your solar panels are pigeon-proofed, could be considered a must-have addition to your solar panel installation.

How to identify problems

As it is not always obvious that the panels are dirty, or not performing at their peak, there are a few tips you can use to help identify solar panel problems

It's important to firstly keep a track of generation, and then compare it year on year to see if there has been any significant change from the previous year.

Many inverters have app facilities that enable logging performance, but if you have an older system, it is worth writing down the meter readings more frequently than just when you need to submit them for quarterly payments.

Secondly, while it is often fairly easy to do a visual inspection of the system from afar, getting a physical mechanical inspection and service is also good practice and will help to identify solar panel problems.

This will require a qualified engineer with the right access and safety equipment to be able to check everything safely. Most of the time a good ladder and harness system can be used for the inspection, which is a lot less expensive than getting a whole scaffold system erected.

Any repairs or maintenance work identified must be completed by a qualified engineer. Solar PV panels will keep generating energy if there is light on them so you need to be aware that the system could potentially be permanently live, and therefore hazardous.

Your solar PV system may be out of sight, and out of mind, but keeping it clean, secure and well maintained will help to deliver optimised generation.

So are solar panels worth it when you take into account solar panel problems? Yes, says David Hilton, but saying on top of their performance and maintenance is key.

If you're currently considering buying a house with solar panels make sure you take onboard the advice in the article, or if you're considering adding them to your home, find out if there are any solar panel grants you may be able to apply for to help reduce your costs.

Britain is in the middle of a solar power boom but few realise how dependent this green energy revolution is on imported technology.

As demand surges, concerns are mounting over the ethical and strategic risks tied to foreign solar panel supply chains.

With a new generation of British solar technology ready for deployment, many are asking: why aren’t we building solar panels at home?

A clean energy boom, built on foreign labour?

Solar energy is now one of the fastest-growing components of the UK’s energy strategy. More than 1.78 million homes have solar PV systems installed, and the government has pledged to increase national capacity to 47 GW by 2030.

However, the panels powering this transformation are overwhelmingly imported.

An investigation found that 97% of the solar panels installed in the UK include polysilicon sourced from China, with much of it traced back to Xinjiang, where forced labour among Uyghur minorities has been documented.

“This is not just a supply chain issue – it’s a human rights issue,” said Dr Laura Murphy, Director of the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice. “As the UK accelerates its clean energy agenda, it must ensure it is not complicit in abuse abroad.”

Efforts are underway to curb this reliance. In early 2025, Great British Energy announced new rules to exclude suppliers linked to forced labour, but the UK’s domestic manufacturing base is currently too small to meet demand.

For consumers, this raises difficult questions - not only about sourcing, but also about cost and value.

A homegrown alternative: British-made perovskite panels

There may now be a viable British-made solution. Oxford PV, a University of Oxford spin-out, has developed tandem perovskite-on-silicon solar cells that outperform conventional panels in both efficiency and scalability.

In 2024, the company announced a world-record 26.9% efficiency in a commercially sized solar module. For comparison, standard rooftop panels typically range between 18–22%.

“Our technology enables consumers to generate significantly more energy from the same roof space,” said David Ward, Director of Communications at Oxford PV. “And crucially, it’s built using materials that avoid the ethical risks embedded in current mainstream supply chains.”

Oxford PV manufactures at scale in Germany, but the company says it is open to UK-based expansion – especially if domestic demand grows. With rising public awareness and mounting political pressure, UK-based production could support both ethical procurement and energy security.

For UK homeowners, these breakthroughs could make solar systems not just more efficient, but also more beneficial to the UK renewables industry.

Increasing government pressure

While technological solutions are emerging, national policy and infrastructure are lagging behind.

Community energy groups like Kent Community Energy have long argued that solar projects should be rooted in local ownership, and supported through government solar panel grants. Yet even these schemes often rely on overseas panels.

Homeowners are already driving demand for alternatives. Interest in installing solar panels has spiked since the energy price crisis, with searches up more than 40% in the past year.

The Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns that without decisive investment, the UK will miss major clean energy targets. The group has stated that within five years, the country “can and must” expand manufacturing capacity across key green technologies - including solar - or risk being left behind.

As Luke Murphy, Associate Director at IPPR, puts it:
“There is an emerging global consensus on employing a muscular green industrial strategy. These policies will cut energy bills, generate jobs, help make Britain energy independent, and reduce emissions.”

An energy-efficient home in Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, has been relisted at offers over £1.5 million after a recent price reduction.

Paternoster Lodge was recognised with the Maldon District Council Sustainability Award and received a design commendation for its use of low-impact construction, materials and systems.

With an A+ EPC rating, the property integrates solar, battery, ventilation, and rainwater technologies and occupies a 1.1-acre site surrounded by farmland, offering an insight into one of the UK's most sustainable eco homes.

Integrated energy and environmental systems

The property’s environmental credentials are reflected in its combination of renewable and low-energy technologies.

It features 18 solar PV panels connected to three 6 kW battery storage units, allowing for energy capture and use outside daylight hours.

A mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system supports low-energy internal climate control, and an air-source heat pump provides heating and hot water.

A rainwater harvesting system is also installed, with above-ground storage units visible on site. The building is fully triple-glazed and has been awarded an A+ energy performance certificate, which places it in the top tier of UK domestic properties for energy efficiency.

Judges awarding the council’s Sustainability Award said the house showed “carefully considered design and workmanship”, citing its integrated approach rather than any one system in isolation.

Unique entrance for full accessibility

Clad in standing seam zinc is arranged over two floors with level access throughout. A full-height hallway with an oak staircase and a lift serving both levels.

The internal layout includes an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area, with wide openings to the rear garden and a centrally placed log burner for additional heating.

The kitchen features granite worktops, a Neff double oven, and a walk-in larder cupboard, while a separate utility room offers secondary storage and laundry facilities. Upstairs, three ensuite bedrooms are arranged around a galleried landing.

The main bedroom includes a vaulted ceiling, dressing room, and freestanding bath. Glazed doors open onto a roof terrace, fitted with an automated awning and oriented for open rural views.

A Murano glass chandelier and oak flooring continue the material palette across both levels, with underfloor heating and LED lighting integrated throughout.

Site, landscape and outbuildings

The plot extends to 1.1 acres and includes mature trees, a wildlife pond, and a Gabriel Ash greenhouse, all arranged to the rear and sides of the main house.

A timber-framed outbuilding with its own WC stands apart from the house and could serve as a studio or workspace.

To the front, a gravel driveway leads to a detached double garage with an adjoining workshop. An external staircase gives access to a first-floor storage room.

A second outbuilding – currently a covered carport – was purpose-built to meet residential structure standards and includes three storage cupboards.

Planning context and local recognition

Paternoster Lodge has been noted by both planners and design panels for its approach to site integration.

It was described during the Planning Awards judging process as “a carefully negotiated scheme in the most sensitive of landscapes”, with particular emphasis on how the form and materials were used to reduce visual impact in open countryside.

In addition to the Maldon District Council Sustainability Award, the house was highly commended for design, with judges recognising its attention to detail across both the technical and aesthetic aspects of the build.

The house is now available for £1.5 million via estate agents Fenn Wright.

Solar homeowners still on the government’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme could be missing out on significantly higher earnings by switching to the Smart Export Guarantee, according to a recent report.

The analysis highlights that many households can boost their export payments by hundreds of pounds annually without affecting their existing generation income.

With Smart Export Guarantee rates rising steadily since 2020, now could be an ideal time for solar panel owners to reconsider their export tariff options.

Export earnings could double, or more

The FiT scheme, closed to new applicants since 2019, still pays thousands of households both for generating and exporting electricity.

But while generation payments are locked in, export payments under FiT are modest. In April 2025, typical FiT export rates hovered around 5.25p per kWh, while the average Smart Export Guarantee rate reached 13.45p, and some suppliers are offering up to 30p per kWh.

That means the average solar home could earn an extra £168 per year, simply by switching export tariffs.

Who benefits the most from switching?

The biggest winners are homes with smart meters and higher levels of electricity export.

If you’re exporting more than 20–30% of your generated electricity, and most homes do, an Smart Export Guarantee tariff is likely to bring in more income.

For example: a 4.8kW system exporting 50% of its electricity could earn £276 on SEG, vs £108 on FiT. Over 20 years, that’s a potential gain of £3,360.

Making the most of your solar setup before you switch

Switching to an SEG tariff can be a smart financial move, but it’s important to understand your solar system’s setup and performance to maximise your benefits.

Factors such as how many panels you have, the type of roof you live in and whether you have solar battery storage all influence how much electricity you export.

For instance, pairing solar panels with a battery system can help store excess power for later use, reducing your import needs and boosting export income when the battery is full.

Knowing how solar panels work and maintaining them, including cleaning and positioning, can improve efficiency and returns.

Useful resources covering these topics include detailed guides on solar panel installation, costs, and available grants, as well as the pros and cons of solar batteries and innovations like solar roof tiles or solar panels on flat roofs. Understanding these can help you fine-tune your system before making the tariff switch.

The catch: No way back to deemed FiT rates

Switching to SEG isn’t reversible if you’re on a deemed export FiT plan, one that estimates your exported electricity instead of measuring it.

Once you install a smart meter, you can’t go back to a deemed FiT rate.

This is confirmed by Ofgem who state: “Once you install a smart meter, you can’t go back to a deemed FiT rate.”

For many, though, the risk is worth it.

It is hard to believe that it is already 15 years since the introduction of the Feed In Tariff (FiT) and the subsequent mass installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology on our roofs.

There is now barely a street in the UK where you don’t see at least one roof with solar panels attached to it, quietly generating clean, green energy. But while we are all now acutely familiar with what the solar PV panels and systems look like, do we know how they actually work and if the technology varies.

Renewables energy expert, David Hilton, explains the importance of solar panel inverters and the part they play in generating electricity for your home.

The role of solar panel inverters

In basic terms, solar PV panels generate electricity from the light of the sun. The brighter the sun, the more energy they generate.

When it comes to the more technical details of how do solar panels work, the generated electricity is direct current (DC), the same type of electricity that you get from a battery, and each panel, when the sun is at it brightest, can produce around 400 Watts of power at around 30 volts.

However, the electricity that we get from the plug sockets in our homes is around 240 volts and it is alternating current (AC), which means that it switches (or pulses) fifty times a second whereas DC does not.

Therefore, in order to use the energy that we generate from the solar panels, we need to convert it to be the same as the electricity in our homes. And this is where a solar panel inverter comes in.

The panels are wired into a solar panel inverter in a specific way to match to the requirements of the inverter. If the panels are connected in series (one after the other) then the voltage adds up, and this is known as a ‘string’ of panels.

So, if ten (thirty volt) panels are connected together in series then the result is three hundred volts – although this is still three hundred volts DC. The inverter then changes the DC to 240volts AC.

The reason why the volts are added up is complicated, but there are two factors that influence the power you get from the system: volts and amps. Power, measured in watts, is basically the number of volts multiplied by the number of amps.

However, the sun is not consistent – we get different amounts of light on the panels at different times of the day, plus cloud cover or seasonal changes can mean the power generation varies.

Therefore the solar panel inverter cleverly uses a maximum power point tracking software that ensures that the volts stay the same. It is only the amps that vary according to the light intensity, which means you are then still able to achieve the maximum power output from the system and helps explain why one of the myths about solar needing sunlight isn't true.

Solar panel inverter differences

Although they effectively do the same thing, all solar panel inverters are not the same. Most PV systems will have one ‘string’ inverter, but in situations where there is potential shading on some of the panels, or the panels point in more than one direction, then more than one inverter can be used, potentially on shorter ‘strings’.

Micro inverters

There are also some inverters that are fitted to a single PV panel. These are known as ‘micro’ inverters.

The advantage of micro inverters is that they can manage the individual panel and if there is a fault, or shading, on that particular panel then it does not affect any other panels in the system.

Hybrid inverters

Hybrid inverters, as the name suggests, can perform more than one function. They can convert the generation from the PV panels but can also manage the stored energy in solar battery systems. If the inverter is limited to 16 amps (which is around 3.7kW) on the PV panels, then that will also be the maximum limit of the energy it can deliver from the battery as well.

The hybrid inverter will also have a control software that allows it to send excess energy to the battery if it's not needed in your home. So, effectively, if the panels are generating 3kW but your home is only consuming 1kW, then 2kW goes to the battery.

It can also be commissioned to supply excess energy to the home when the import prices are higher. As an example, if the PV panels are generating 2kW but your home is using 3.5kW, then the additional 1.5kW can be supplied to your home from the battery.

The battery can also be charged up from your home electric supply if you have off peak electric tariffs such as night rates or electric vehicle rates. This way you can still benefit from having a battery in winter when there is a lot less energy generation from your PV panels.

You do however need to make sure that your inverter has this functionality, as not all inverters allow the battery to be charged from the grid.

Maintenance and safety

Of all the components in a solar PV system, the solar inverter has the most working parts, and would normally be the item that potentially fails first.

If they are fitted in lofts then the extra heat in an attic space could affect the life expectancy of the unit. You would also need to connect linked smoke alarms in the loft area so that if there was a fire you would be alerted.

On 31 March 2024, PAS63100 was introduced by the British Standards Institute which gives guidance on where battery storage and solar inverters can be positioned. Under this guidance batteries shall not be installed in rooms in which a person is intended to sleep, in any routes used as a means of escape in the event of a fire, including landings, staircases or corridors.

They also cannot be under, or next to, the stairs or corridor if it is not separated by an adequate fire protected wall.

Solar PV systems are now commonplace in our homes and when I'm asked are solar panels worth it, will always say they represent a good investment, especially as energy prices continue to rocket up.

We do however need to be aware of what all the components are and where they go so that we can be sure to allocate enough space for them to operate optimally and safely.

Amazon has become a go-to for big-ticket upgrades, and this year it’s shining a light on solar.

Homeowners looking to harness clean energy from their own balcony can now pick up flexible solar panel kits for up to 30% off, offering an affordable alternative if your roof is not suitable.

Top brands like ECO-WORTHY, Renogy, and DOKIO have slashed prices on their semi-flexible solar panels, many of which are designed specifically for balconies, garden walls, sheds and uneven surfaces.

With discounts bringing a 130W flexible panel down to £62.39, it’s now easier than ever to begin your off-grid power journey.

Flexible solar panels now available at reduced prices

Several well-known manufacturers are offering single panels and bundled kits with temporary discounts on Amazon.

The ECO-WORTHY 130W 12V monocrystalline panel, for example, is now listed at £62.39 (down from £89.99). It features a thin 0.25 cm profile, weighs just under 4 kg, and is capable of producing up to 520Wh per day in full sun.

Renogy’s 100W and 200W flexible panels, as well as kits from DOKIO, are also listed with discounts between 15% and 30%.

All models included in the sale are semi-flexible, waterproof, and designed for small-scale outdoor use.

Installation requires no permanent fixtures

Flexible solar panels are designed to be mounted without structural changes, making them suitable for renters and DIY setups.

Most come with pre-drilled mounting holes reinforced with metal grommets, allowing for easy attachment using cable ties, velcro straps, adhesive pads, silicone sealant, or double-sided tape.

Panels include pre-attached cables (usually 2.5–3 feet in length) for connecting to solar charge controllers, batteries, or compatible microinverters. No tools are required for basic setup, and users can install the solar panels independently without electrical expertise, depending on the intended use.

Because of their low weight and thin construction, panels can be repositioned or removed if needed. Most kits arrive fully assembled and ready to connect.

Where to install them on your balcony

Flexible panels can be mounted in several places depending on sunlight and available space. Common balcony installation points include:

• Railing tops or faces, using Velcro or cable ties
• Balcony floor or decking, propped at an angle for better sun exposure
• Wall or façade facing outward, if direct sunlight is available
• Overhangs or balcony roof structures, if angled toward the sun

Orientation and daily sun coverage will affect output, so panels are often angled or repositioned seasonally. The non-permanent nature of these panels means no drilling into brick, glass, or shared structures is necessary.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to explore solar power at home, but have found the cost to be a barrier, now could be your opportunity to benefit.

These flexible balcony panels are proof that smart energy doesn’t have to be expensive – or permanent. With Amazon prices this low, powering your home sustainably is finally within reach.

Indoor solar panels are gaining momentum as a smart solution for powering low-energy electronic devices.

Unlike traditional solar panels, these are designed to harvest electricity from artificial light sources like LED and fluorescent bulbs.

The technology could help reduce battery waste and enable more sustainable, self-powered devices across homes.

A new energy source for everyday devices

Indoor solar panels are ideal for small devices that need to run continuously, such as remote controls, smart thermostats, or environmental monitors.

These applications don’t require much power, but they do require reliability and low maintenance.

Ossila, a UK-based scientific equipment and materials manufacturer that supplies research tools to labs and developers worldwide, is at the forefront of this innovation.

According to the company’s Digital Marketing Associate, Imogen Pass: “Indoor solar panels are emerging as a smart solution for powering small, low-energy devices that need to run continuously - like sensors and smart-home systems.”

Lightweight, flexible and sustainable

Indoor solar panels differ from traditional outdoor panels by harvesting energy not from sunlight, but from the artificial lighting commonly found indoors- like fluorescent bulbs and LED lights.

These panels use advanced materials specially engineered to absorb the specific wavelengths and lower intensity of indoor light.

When the light hits the solar PV cells, it excites electrons in the material, generating electricity that can power small, low-energy devices continuously without relying on batteries or plugs.

Their lightweight, thin, and sometimes flexible design makes them easy to integrate into compact devices. According to Imogen Pass, Digital Marketing Associate at Ossila: “Many of the new solar materials which work well in indoor light conditions can make devices that are flexible and lightweight. Combined with artificial intelligence, indoor solar could enable fully autonomous devices that are energy self-sufficient, low-maintenance, and more sustainable by design.”

Standardised testing for real-world light

One of the biggest challenges in developing indoor solar is ensuring consistent performance under varied lighting.

To address this, Ossila uses calibrated indoor light simulators that replicate standard lighting conditions for testing new panels.

“By ensuring that all devices are tested under pre-defined lighting conditions, researchers can better guarantee consistency and quality in device performance,” Pass explained.

This kind of quality control is key to moving from lab success to real-world adoption.

A UK solar manufacturer has launched a fully fire-compliant rooftop solar panel as concern grows over the safety of some installations.

Solfit's new 425Wp in-roof panel is designed to meet the latest UK fire and building regulations, offering a secure, installer-friendly alternative.

The launch comes after recent high-profile fires linked to solar panels in Surrey and Bristol where solar panel systems were present.

Growing focus on solar fire safety

Concerns about rooftop solar safety have come to the fore after two significant fires at residential properties in Surrey and a dramatic blaze at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol.

In the hospital case, Avon Fire and Rescue confirmed that the fire started due to a fault in the solar panels, while in Surrey, investigations are ongoing. Two housing associations (Accent Housing and PA Housing) have since begun disconnecting rooftop panels on several properties as a precaution.

“It was horrific. Many homes are gone. The fire crews were here all day,” a Surrey resident told local media.

“Solar panels are inherently safe,” said Station Manager Ben Thorpe, “but it’s essential to use qualified installers and ensure regular maintenance.”

Solfit’s JT 425 panel offers fire-safe alternative

Responding to heightened scrutiny, Solfit has launched the JT 425Wp in-roof solar panel, which fire-safety building regulations standards.

The panel uses double-glass laminate instead of plastic and features an interlocking metal frame that reduces the number of installation parts. With a peak output of 425 watts and a landscape orientation, it also offers more layout flexibility for housebuilders.

“The JT 425Wp was designed by installers, for installers,” said Ewen Estill, Owner of Solfit. “With UK regulations becoming more rigorous, this panel provides peace of mind without compromising on performance.”

Meeting the moment for UK builders and buyers

The launch of the JT 425Wp comes at a crucial time as UK building regulations tighten and government targets now require all new homes to include solar panels.

For developers balancing compliance, aesthetics and safety, Solfit’s fire-certified system is designed to streamline solar installation while supporting long-term sustainability.

“Installing a very sorted high-quality product ensures longevity and reliability,” said James Parkin, MD of Wheeldon Homes, a long-term Solfit customer. “All of this is achieved with minimal install issues and at a reasonable price point."

As fire services continue to investigate recent incidents, industry experts stress that the right product, fitted by the right professionals, remains the best safeguard.

As the UK faces more frequent and intense heatwaves, a new cooling gel developed by international researchers offers a promising way to protect solar panels from overheating.

This material can lower panel temperatures by up to 14.1°C, boosting energy output by nearly 13% while extending the lifespan of solar panels by more than 200%.

By reducing the damaging effects of heat, this affordable, low-maintenance gel could help make solar power more reliable during hot spells – a growing concern as climate change pushes temperatures higher.

What is solar panel gel?

The solar PV gel is a composite made from sodium polyacrylate (a super-absorbent polymer) and lithium chloride (a hygroscopic salt).

When applied as a layer about 10 millimetres thick on the back of solar panels, it absorbs water from the air overnight and then slowly releases that water as vapour during the day.

This evaporation cools the panel surface by absorbing heat, much like sweating cools skin. In controlled laboratory settings, this composite achieved a peak cooling power of 373 watts per square meter, which remained steady at around 175 watts per square metre during daytime conditions.

How effective is solar panel gel?

The gel’s cooling cycle depends on environmental humidity and temperature changes. At night, when temperatures drop and humidity rises, the gel’s lithium chloride draws moisture from the air, swelling as it absorbs water.

During the day, sunlight heats the panel and causes the water to evaporate slowly from the gel. This evaporation process pulls heat away from the panel surface, effectively lowering its temperature.

Outdoor tests in Saudi Arabia’s hot climate showed the gel maintained a temperature reduction averaging 9.4°C over a 10-hour period, peaking at 14.1°C on hot days where ambient temperatures reached 38°C.

Because solar panel efficiency drops about 0.2 to 0.5% for every degree Celsius of temperature increase, this cooling translates to a 10.2% to 12.9% boost in power output during testing.

A key advantage is the gel’s ability to release moisture consistently over more than 10 hours.

How is the solar panel gel applied?

One of the gel’s biggest advantages is that homeowners don’t need to apply it themselves.

The material is designed to be pre-applied at the manufacturing stage or installed by trained technicians during panel installation. It forms a thin, passive layer on the rear side of the solar panel – no electronics or refilling required.

For existing systems, the gel can be retrofitted as long as it is applied carefully by qualified installers. This ensures proper contact and airflow, and avoids damaging the panel or invalidating warranties.

Once installed, the gel requires no maintenance and automatically recharges using ambient air humidity each night – making it a hands-off cooling solution for both new and existing solar systems.

Why solar panel gels could work for UK homes

While tested extensively in hot, humid climates like Saudi Arabia, the gel’s design suits temperate regions like the UK because it relies on natural nighttime humidity to recharge.

Summer nights in many UK areas often have enough moisture for the gel to absorb, especially near coasts or during typical summer weather patterns, making it suitable for when it gets too hot for solar panels.

However, researchers acknowledge that in drier or cooler climates, the gel’s efficiency may vary. Further testing is needed to confirm long-term performance under UK conditions, including typical summer temperature ranges (often between 18°C and 30°C) and humidity fluctuations.

Researchers are optimistic though that with further development and partnerships with solar manufacturers, this technology could reach the market within the next few years.

Its potential benefits include:

• Extending how long solar panels last by up to 200%
• Reducing the cost of solar panels and electricity by 18% due to improved efficiency and less frequent panel replacement
• Providing passive, zero-energy cooling without pumps or fans

If successfully commercialised, this gel could offer UK homeowners a cost-effective way to protect investments and maximise power output during heatwaves – an increasingly urgent need as the climate warms.

The UK government has confirmed that the Future Homes Standard will be published this autumn, making it clear that new homes will require solar panels as standard.

The announcement forms part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering energy bills for future homeowners.

While many industry experts and consumers have welcomed the move as a step toward cleaner energy and cost savings, some have raised concerns about potential challenges for builders and buyers as these new regulations take effect.

Solar panels to be standard on new homes

The upcoming standard will amend building regulations to explicitly promote rooftop solar, making it a mandatory for all new homes across the UK.

The government says this will spark a "rooftop revolution", helping families save hundreds of pounds on energy bills annually.

A typical existing home with solar panels could already save about £530 per year based on current energy prices - these savings will now be unlocked from day one for new homeowners.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the measure “common sense,” stating: “So many people just don’t understand why this doesn’t already happen. With our plans, it will.”

Low-carbon heating also part of the plan

Beyond solar, the Future Homes Standard includes mandatory low-carbon heating solutions like heat pumps, alongside high energy efficiency standards.

These upgrades will not only lower bills but also reduce reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with broader net-zero targets.

Planning rules have already been relaxed to support this transition: homeowners can now install a heat pump within one metre of their property boundary without needing planning permission - a move expected to remove a key barrier cited by nearly a third of potential heat pump customers, according to Octopus Energy.

Industry and sector-wide support

The announcement has received strong backing from across the energy and construction sectors.

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, praised the move: “Making solar panels a functional requirement of the Building Regulations will cut energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and improve our nation’s energy security.”

Charlotte Lee, CEO of the Heat Pump Association, welcomed the clarity and said it provides a clear signal for scaling up: “Coupled with solar PV, highly efficient heat pump installations will result in low consumer energy bills.”

Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, added: “Our research shows customers can shrink their energy bills by up to 90% when combining solar and battery with the right tariff. This announcement means more households can now access those savings.”

Builders also voiced strong support. Jack Brayshaw from Vistry Group said that solar panels and EV chargers are already part of their standard specs, and the new measures will help them go further in delivering sustainable communities.

Concerns over cost, practicality and fairness

While the announcement has been widely welcomed by the renewable energy industry, not all reactions have been glowing.

The Home Builders Federation, representing the UK’s largest housebuilders, warned that mandating rooftop solar could “add complexity and cost” to new developments.

The group stressed that rigid rules - like proposals to require panels on 40% of roof space - could clash with practical site constraints, potentially slowing down delivery of new homes.

Meanwhile, Conservative MPs and opposition parties questioned the affordability of the policy for ordinary people. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition, criticised the plans as unrealistic without “a serious drop in our living standards,” arguing they could push up housing and energy costs for working families.

Despite the fanfare, these critiques point to a central tension in the government’s plans: how to deliver cleaner, cheaper energy in a way that’s also practical, fair and doesn’t hold back housing targets.

The details in the full Future Homes Standard will determine whether this solar-powered vision truly delivers for everyone.

Norfolk residents face an uncomfortable clash: their homes could be acquired for the proposed East Pye Solar Project, a vast 2,500-acre development vital for national climate targets.

The situation highlights a growing tension where the pursuit of green energy, like solar panel farms, directly impacts local communities and the rural environment.

Locals, who often support renewable power, are now challenging whether sacrificing homes and productive land is the truly "green" path forward.

The human cost of green energy

Dozens of residents, including 89-year-old Yvonne Davy, received letters from the developer's lawyers stating their properties "may be required."

Davy, a solar panel owner herself, felt "absolutely appalled," vowing, "They'll get my property over my dead body."

Beyond potential acquisition, families worry about their quality of life. Chris Humphrey, whose home would be surrounded by 3.5-metre-high panels, stated, "I'm completely for solar panels... but it has to be on rooftops and not on fields."

Another resident Joanna Young said "it only powers 115,000 homes! What a waste of land. One small nuclear reactor could power 1,000,000 homes and only requires a handful of acres".

Hempnall Parish Council Chairman David Hook expressed fears of the "industrialisation of large areas of attractive, tranquil countryside," calling it a "precious national asset."

Farmland vs solar power

The East Pye project, intended to power 115,000 homes, is part of a larger trend of massive solar proposals in Norfolk.

Resident Robert Eagle questioned the project's vast scale, reportedly "10 times larger than the next biggest solar farm in the UK," asking, "Where is the food going to come from?"

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig echoed this, condemning the "creeping abuse" of countryside and valuable agricultural land. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) advocates for solar on "rooftops... not on productive agricultural land and open landscapes."

While the solar industry points to biodiversity benefits, the sheer scale of Norfolk's proposed farms underlines a significant conflict between energy goals and rural preservation.

Developer claims under fire

Developer Island Green Power calls their letters a "statutory obligation" and states they aim to avoid a compulsory purchase order.

However, locals report feeling "harassed" by phone calls, questioning the developer's approach. David Hook also highlighted a key discrepancy: the developer claims East Pye is "crucial for meeting climate targets to triple solar power by 2030," yet its grid connection date is reportedly for 2031.

With three-quarters of initial consultation respondents opposing the plan, and concerns about developer tactics, East Pye exemplifies the complex challenges of the UK's net-zero transition impacting local communities.

As electricity prices continue to rise, renewable energy continues to be an investment many homeowners are considering making. But, with solar panel costs adding a hefty chunk of money to your budget, we asked renewables energy expert David Hilton, 'are solar panels worth it?'

While his overall answer is yes, making sure they are depends on a number of different factors including the initial installation costs, whether you are able to access grants, the location of your solar panels, payback agreements and how you use your solar energy each day.

Read on to find out how to ensure when someone asks you 'are your solar panels worth it,' you are able to answer 'yes'.

Are solar panels worth it — why do we question the investment?

The popularity and adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels escalated rapidly with the introduction of the very generous Feed in Tariff (FiT) in 2010. The FiT was so generous that the panels would pay for themselves in around 11 years from the generation income alone. Added to this was the fact the incentive was guaranteed for 25 years, and the homeowner could use the generated energy as well.

However, as soon as the FiT ended the sales of solar PV panels dropped off considerably. This was then replaced with the Smart Export Guarantee in 2020.

Even though the FiT had ended, installation costs did then fall meaning that as energy prices rose, and the cost of the installations dropped, the sales of solar PV picked up again. And, with the price of batteries dropping too, it was once again an option worth considering.

How installation costs and grants impact the payback period

Currently, when budgeting for solar panels costs, you will find that a solar PV system costs between £6000 and £9000 for a 4kW system and around £3000 plus for a reasonable solar battery.

However, although this sum may seem considerable, there may still be opportunities to get funding towards solar PV systems if you meet the eligibility criteria. This will help reduce your install costs and make the payback period shorter, resulting in your initial investment seeming more worthwhile.

Check with your local authority or the ECO4 scheme to see if you can obtain solar panel grants for installing solar PV on your home.

Make sure your panels are positioned for maximum energy gain

When looking at how do solar panels work, in short, the answer is they generate electricity from the light of the sun. There are no moving parts and the generation is 100% carbon free.

A south facing system on a roof with a pitch of around 35 degrees will give you the most optimisation in the UK. You can expect to yield around 4000kWh per year from a 4kWp kit, which is around 10 panels.

Further north the yield is only around 65% of that, while a west or east facing system also loses around 20% of the yield.

Understand what can be gained from selling on your energy

Energy companies are obligated to pay for solar PV excess generation but they are not told what to pay. Therefore, the amount of money you get paid ranges depending on which company you are with, and which tariff you are on.

That said, the highest payments are currently around 15p/kWh. Considering that electricity import costs around 25p it currently makes sense to try and use everything you generate, and then only export what you absolutely cannot use.

How can I maximise using my solar energy to get the best payback?

To maximise the payback from solar energy, you need to manage the energy use in the home and there are a number of ways in which you can do this.

1. Use appliances during the day: With the most energy generated during daylight hours, the key is to making sure you maximise on this. Any household appliances, such as washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers that can be scheduled to run during the daylight hours will mean you are using the solar energy and therefore adding to the payback. Cooking during daylight hours will achieve the same result.

2. Make sure you have a solar battery: If you have a battery then you need to make sure that it can also be charged at night so that if you are on an off-peak tariff such as economy 7, or an electric vehicle tariff for example, you can charge the battery at the cheap time and then use the stored electricity during the peak times.

3. Set your EV charger correctly: If you have an electric vehicle then make sure that the EV charger can also be set to be on standby so that the car can be plugged in but only charges when there is excess generation.

Are solar panels worth it on every home?

Solar panels are not a fad, they work and the payback of a PV system can still be around 8 to 11 years – even without accounting for any further electricity price rises. So as long as you can use the energy that you generate, then a PV system is a sound investment.

However, it's worth bearing in mind a few points that may or may not impact on your personal payback period.

To optimise the use of the energy you generate from your solar panels, you ideally need a full home. In a home with only one or two occupants it may be difficult to use all the energy you generate – particularly in summer, and therefore this makes it harder to effectively manage the return on your investment.

It also remains a tricky balance between winter and summer energy generation vs use. While you will generate an excess of electricity during the warmer months, even with a battery storing this excess, you may not get to use it all.

Why? Most solar batteries will be around 5kWh to 10kWh. However, in summer your PV system could generate around 30kWh in the day, so unless you are at home during the day using the energy as it's created, then your battery may not be able to capture all of the energy you don't use.

In winter however, you will use a lot more energy than you generate. This means you will still need a back-up system during the colder months, but does mean that you are able to fully utilise the power your solar panels provide.

FAQs

Do maintenance costs reduce the payback period?

Solar PV panels don’t need a lot of maintenance. They really only need to be cleaned, visually inspected for physical damage, and monitored.

If you notice a dramatic change in generation then the system needs to be checked. Wiring can get corroded or damaged if it comes loose and the inverter can also fail. My first inverter lasted 4 years, but the next one is still going strong after a further 10 years.

In order to start crunching numbers to see if solar panels are worth it for your home, start by looking at the suitability of your roof for solar panels and then work out how many solar panels you need. It's also worth finding out which are the main solar panel myths so you can start your research knowing the facts from the fiction.

Homeowners looking to install heat pumps, solar panels, or EV chargers may find themselves caught in a postcode lottery, with approval times ranging from just one day to more than six weeks depending on where they live.

New data from Octopus Energy highlights significant regional variation in how quickly low-carbon home technologies are approved for installation, differences driven by the internal processes of regional electricity network operators.

As demand for clean energy solutions rises sharply across the UK, these inconsistencies are becoming more visible, raising questions about fairness and efficiency in the nation’s energy transition.

Who’s fastest at approving clean tech?

Octopus Energy has published a DNO leaderboard ranking network operators by average approval time for installations like heat pumps, solar panels and EV chargers. The results show a clear gap in performance.

Top performers:

• 1st – UK Power Networks (UKPN): 7-day average, 67% approved in 1 day
• 2nd – National Grid Electricity Distribution: 8-day average, 60% approved in 1 day
• 3rd – Electricity NorthWest: 12-day average, 16% approved in 1 day

Slower performers:

• 4th – SSEN: 14-day average, 24% approved in 1 day
• 5th – SP Energy Networks: 16-day average, 2% approved in 1 day
• 6th – Northern PowerGrid: 32-day average, 7% approved in 1 day

While top-ranking DNOs are able to greenlight two-thirds of applications within 24 hours, customers in lower-ranked areas often wait multiple weeks, with some solar panel approvals in Scotland averaging 45 days.

By contrast, fossil-fuel-based systems like gas boilers require no such approvals – highlighting a key inconsistency in the system.

Why approvals are needed, and why it matters

Low-carbon tech installations need approval from local DNOs to confirm that the electricity grid can handle the added load.

If the grid is already near capacity, upgrades may be required before installation can proceed.

Currently, there is no nationwide standard for how these applications are processed. Octopus Energy’s data points to a complex and inconsistent system, often referred to as a “postcode lottery” - where customer experience depends largely on location, rather than technology or need.

This comes as demand is surging. Octopus has seen a 144% increase in heat pump enquiries in 2024 compared to 2023, and the cost of solar panels has dropped to record lows. Efficient processing is becoming increasingly important for the UK’s energy transition.

Octopus calls for five priorities for faster approvals

In response to the findings, Octopus Energy is proposing a five-point action plan for DNOs and industry stakeholders:

• Expand auto-approvals: Many installations can be instantly approved if they meet basic criteria. Octopus urges DNOs to publish these criteria transparently and maximise their use.
• Set national approval deadlines: There is currently no official timeframe for DNO responses. Clear deadlines would offer more certainty to customers and installers.
• Simplify applications: The industry-wide ENA Direct Connect system should be streamlined to ensure a consistent, straightforward application process for all technologies.
• Update engineering standards: Use real-world data instead of conservative theoretical assumptions when assessing grid capacity. For example, increasing automatic solar thresholds from 3.68kW to 5kW could accelerate installs - a move UKPN has already adopted.
• Manage voltage levels proactively: With average UK grid voltages at 243V, Octopus recommends more dynamic voltage management and aligning standards with EU norms (230V ±10%) to enable more connections.

Octopus also encourages Ofgem and DNOs to publish more detailed, standardised data on approval performance to increase transparency across the sector.

The UK government has announced that Great British Energy, the state-owned energy company, will be prohibited from using solar panels linked to forced labour practices in China's Xinjiang region.

This decision comes amid mounting pressure from MPs, campaigners, and international observers to ensure that the UK's transition to renewable energy does not come at the cost of human rights abuses.​

However, the decision has now raised concerns over how the UK will maintain sufficient supply chains of solar panels to continue the UK's net zero transition.

GB Energy's ethical stand against forced labour

GB Energy, established to spearhead the UK's renewable energy initiatives, has taken a firm stance against the use of solar panels produced under unethical conditions.

The company's decision to exclude products linked to forced labour in Xinjiang reflects a commitment to ethical sourcing and human rights. This move aligns with growing global concerns about the use of forced labour in the production of polysilicon, a key component in solar PV panels, in the Xinjiang region.​

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated: "Great British Energy will be an industry leader in developing supply chains free of forced labour as it propels us in our clean energy superpower mission."

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, expressed confidence, said: "Given progress in ensuring that the UK supply chain is free from solar panels produced with raw materials tainted by human rights abuses, we are confident that there will be no slowdown in solar deployment."

The amendment to the Great British Energy Bill ensures that the company's investments in solar panel projects will not support industries implicated in human rights abuses.​

Political and public pressure prompt policy shift

The government's decision follows intense pressure from across the political spectrum and human rights organisations. Previously, the Labour government had instructed MPs to reject a similar amendment.

However, the growing outcry over human rights violations in Xinjiang and the ethical implications of sourcing solar panels from the region led to a reconsideration of the policy.​

Critics had warned that the UK's reliance on solar panels produced in Xinjiang could undermine its commitment to human rights and ethical practices.

Sarah Champion MP, Chair of the International Development Select Committee, said:​ “I’m gravely concerned that without sufficient safeguards in place, we will run the risk of transitioning to net zero on the backs of those in slavery. We need to see clear intent that modern slavery cannot make up any part of GB Energy supply chains.”

Penny Mills, director of Devon CPRE, expressed concerns about local councils' lack of control over solar panel sourcing, added:​ “Three of the four councils we contacted either don’t have a clue what we are talking about or say they have no powers to ensure solar panels are ethically sourced. The UK Government’s pledge to exclude suppliers complicit in systematic human rights violations is meaningless.”

The policy shift has been welcomed by advocates for ethical energy sourcing, who see it as a necessary step towards ensuring that the UK's green transition does not come at the expense of vulnerable populations.​

Challenges ahead in ethical sourcing

While the decision marks a significant step towards ethical sourcing, challenges remain in implementing the policy.

China currently dominates the global production of polysilicon, accounting for a substantial share of the market. This dominance raises concerns about the feasibility of sourcing solar panels entirely free from links to forced labour whilst keeping the cost of solar panels down.​

Industry representatives have called for the UK to take a leadership role in developing alternative supply chains and supporting domestic production of solar panel components.

The government asserts that domestic and ethical international supply chains can meet demand, and pressure is mounting on China to improve labour standards.​

As the UK continues its transition to renewable energy, balancing ethical considerations with environmental goals remains a pressing challenge.

The Labour Government has announced a major policy shift, confirming that all new homes in England must be fitted with solar panels by 2027.

The move comes just months after ministers rejected the Sunshine Bill, marking a significant U-turn on renewable energy policy.

Environmental campaigners, including CPRE, have hailed the decision as a major victory for clean energy and climate action.

Government reverses another eco policy

The new commitment follows heavy criticism earlier this year when the government rejected the New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill, known as the Sunshine Bill.

The bill, proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson, aimed to make solar panels compulsory on all new-build homes but was rejected over fears it could impact housing supply, construction costs, and planning processes. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook cited affordability and workforce challenges as key reasons behind the bill’s failure.

However, mounting political pressure, public support, and data from the Local Government Association (LGA) highlighted the missed opportunity: 60% of new homes still lacked solar panel installations.

The Government's new policy now overrides those earlier concerns, committing to full implementation by 2027 as part of the expanded Future Homes Standard.

A campaign win for climate and communities

The announcement marks a significant victory for CPRE, the countryside charity, which has led a national campaign to harness the power of rooftops.

Over 10,000 people supported CPRE’s push for the Sunshine Bill, part of a wider call for clean energy expansion without compromising the countryside.

CPRE CEO Roger Mortlock welcomed the move, saying: “The UK’s millions of rooftops have the potential to generate huge amounts of clean, cheap energy. This is a positive step that shows climate action and a thriving countryside can go hand in hand.”

Mortlock also called on ministers to go further, urging a national target for 60% of UK solar energy to come from rooftops.

Decision to cut costs, as well as carbon

Aside from its environmental impact, the policy is expected to deliver direct savings for homeowners, helping to offset the cost of adding solar panels.

The LGA reports that mandatory solar panels could save residents an estimated £440 per year on energy bills. With public backing at 82% for solar panels on new homes and commercial buildings, the move is both politically and practically popular.

However, campaigners warn the work is not done. CPRE and the LGA are calling for additional measures to expand rooftop solar to existing homes, warehouses, and car parks – while ensuring large-scale solar farms do not damage valuable farmland or natural landscapes.