Plug-in solar panels could save a typical UK household \u00a31,100 over their 15-year lifetime, according to Carbon Brief analysis.<\/p>\n
In response to the ongoing energy crisis, the UK government announced on 15 March a package<\/a> of clean-energy measures to \u201cboost\u201d energy security.<\/p>\n Among these was the introduction of \u201cplug-in\u201d solar panels to the UK, which would be available \u201cwithin months\u201d at retailers, according to the government.<\/p>\n A cost-benefit analysis by Carbon Brief finds that plug-in solar could provide 400 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year, enough to meet 15% of demand for a typical household.<\/p>\n This could save \u00a3110 on electricity bills each year, meaning the typical upfront cost of around \u00a3500 for an 800-watt (W) system could be paid back within five years, according to the analysis.<\/p>\n Assuming the plug-in system has a 15-year lifespan, total net savings could reach \u00a31,100.<\/p>\n Plug-in panels<\/p>\n Compared to rooftop solar, smaller plug-in solar systems consisting of one to two<\/a> panels can be easily installed<\/a> on balconies, in gardens and other outdoor spaces. They can be plugged directly into home sockets without the need for additional wiring, reducing electricity taken from the grid and thereby cutting bills.<\/p>\n Plug-in solar has already taken off in Germany, with official registrations<\/a> already exceeding 1m installations (the actual number could be up to 4m<\/a>). Other growing<\/a> markets include France, Spain, the Netherlands and the US<\/a>.<\/p>\n Panels could be available in the UK \u201cwithin months\u201d at retailers, such as Lidl and Sainsbury\u2019s<\/a>, according to the government<\/a>. (Many of the products from EcoFlow, one of the main providers of plug-in solar in the UK, are already sold out<\/a> online.)<\/p>\n The government said<\/a> it will work with relevant bodies to update electrical regulations to allow the use of plug-in solar. The Institution of Engineering and Technology<\/a> (IET) has advised<\/a> homes to get their wiring checked before installing.<\/p>\n Costs and benefits<\/p>\n To assess the potential impact of plug-in solar, Carbon Brief conducted a cost-benefit analysis for an 800-watt (W) installation in a typical two-to-three bedroom home in London. The assumptions are approximate and will vary for different locations and set-ups.<\/p>\n Optimally placed panels \u2013\u00a0south-facing and tilted at around 40 degrees\u00a0\u2013 would generate around 820 kilowatt hours (kWh) each year in London \u2013 at a \u201cload factor<\/a>\u201d of 12%\u00a0\u2013 according to the EU\u2019s PVGIS<\/a> database.<\/p>\n Actual output is likely to be lower, due to sub-optimal placement \u2013\u00a0such as vertically on balconies \u2013\u00a0as well as orientation and shading.<\/p>\n A report<\/a> by trade body Solar Power Europe<\/a> noted these factors could cut 30-60% from optimal output. This analysis assumes a 45% reduction from optimal output.<\/p>\n If a household is able to use 90% of the output \u2013\u00a0typical<\/a> for such installations\u00a0\u2013 then the panels would provide 400kWh of electricity each year, enough to meet 15% of typical demand<\/a>.<\/p>\n This will vary on the household usage patterns, but running appliances such as washing machines during peak daylight hours could improve capture rates.<\/p>\n This could save \u00a3110 on electricity bills each year, meaning the upfront cost<\/a> of around \u00a3500 could be paid back within 5 years, according to Carbon Brief\u2019s analysis.<\/p>\n Assuming the panels last 15 years, total net savings over their lifetime could reach \u00a31,100.<\/p>\n These savings assume a fixed unit cost of 27p\/kWh, based on predictions<\/a> for July 2026.<\/p>\n If electricity prices surged<\/a> to 34p\/kWh for a prolonged period \u2013\u00a0as they did during the 2022 gas price crisis<\/a> \u2013 then annual savings could increase to around \u00a3140, further reducing the payback time.<\/p>\n If module costs fall over time as more suppliers enter the market, this could reduce the upfront cost and payback time.<\/p>\n If 3m households take up plug-in solar \u2013\u00a0comparable to Germany\u2019s current deployment\u00a0\u2013 this would generate 1.2 terawatt hours (TWh), less than 1% of UK demand<\/a>.<\/p>\n While this would not significantly cut UK emissions overall, it could still save the households more than \u00a3330m in total and avoid around two tankers\u2019 worth<\/a> of imported liquified natural gas (LNG) each year, according to Carbon Brief\u2019s analysis.<\/p>\n Unlocking participation<\/p>\n Aside from its economic benefits, plug-in solar could unlock participation in the clean-energy transition for a wider percentage of the population.<\/p>\n