The UK government has authorized the sale of plug-in solar panels in major supermarkets — they will appear on shelves in the coming months.
These compact devices plug directly into a socket and allow residents without roofs (in apartments or rented houses) to use solar energy on balconies, walls, or in gardens. Such panels are popular in Europe (Germany), but in Britain they were previously blocked by safety regulations — now the DESNZ has simplified the rules.
The move is linked to rising fuel prices due to the Iran-Middle East conflict — the goal: independence from fossils through "green" energy. From 2028, all new homes in England will receive mandatory solar panels and heat pumps (without gas).
Meanwhile, the British energy company Octopus Energy has recorded a +27% increase in solar panel applications and +36% for electric vehicle leasing since the start of the crisis. Eco-activists have long lobbied for the mandatory installation of solar panels in new homes, arguing that it will reduce electricity bills and harmful emissions. However, some developers warn of a possible rise in housing prices and express concern regarding the scale of the required solar panel installations.
