Lidl and Amazon are set to begin selling plug-in solar panels in the UK within months under new government plans to open up the retail market for low-cost home energy technology.

According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ministers are working with major retailers and manufacturers to bring “plug-and-play” solar units to shop shelves, with prices expected to start at around £400. The devices, which can be plugged directly into a household socket, are designed to cut electricity bills by reducing reliance on grid power.

The government said the products could save households between £70 and £110 a year, with typical payback periods of around four years. The rollout will require changes to UK electrical regulations, which currently prevent such systems from being sold domestically despite widespread adoption in European markets such as Germany.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said the move formed part of a broader effort to shield consumers from volatile global energy markets, stating: “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 have signalled support for the initiative as a way to bring energy technology into mainstream consumer channels. Georgina Hall, corporate affairs director at Lidl GB, said the changes would help make sustainable products more accessible, adding that updating regulations was “a positive step towards empowering British households to manage their energy costs”.

Manufacturers also expect strong demand as barriers to entry fall. Lorna Wallace-Smith, head of UK communications at EcoFlow, said allowing plug-in solar would be “a very positive step for expanding access to renewable energy”, adding that availability in stores by summer would enable households to “start generating their own clean electricity straight away”.

The retail push forms part of a wider policy package that includes mandating solar panels and heat pumps in most new homes from 2028, although ministers are positioning plug-in solar as a faster route for existing households to access renewable energy.

However, technical concerns remain over safety and compatibility with the UK’s ageing housing stock. The BBC reported that Mark Coles, head of technical regulations at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, warned homeowners should have their electrical systems checked before installing such devices, noting that safety could vary significantly between properties.

The government said it would work with regulators and network operators to update wiring standards and ensure appropriate safeguards ahead of the retail launch.

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