UK launches mini solar scheme … into a thicket of red tape
The government wants voters to go green and cut their bills using plug-in solar panels. There are plenty of hurdles ahead.
The UK government is launching a scheme to allow residents to install mini solar panels on their balconies in an effort to reduce soaring energy bills. The technology, already popular in countries like Germany, will be available for purchase in high street stores and can be installed in UK properties for the first time. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh touted plug-in solar panels as a "simple, affordable way for households to take control of their energy bills and start saving straight away."
However, the government faces several hurdles in rolling out the scheme. One major issue is obtaining permission from landlords, freeholders, or councils, as some housing associations have a blanket ban on plug-in solar panels. Additionally, safety concerns have been raised, as plug-in solar panels send electricity in the opposite direction in a property's wiring, potentially damaging older devices. Technical director of Electrical Safety First, Luke Osborne, expressed concerns about the safety of plug-in solar panels.
The government has insisted that the technology has undergone "rigorous, independent safety testing" and is "safe and compatible with UK wiring." Energy Minister Martin McCluskey has written to landlords to promote the scheme but has not ruled out government support to cover the upfront costs. Despite the initial price of £699 for a single panel, the government expects the price to drop between £400 and £600 due to market competition.
The "payback period" of the panels is still lower than that of rooftop solar, according to McCluskey.
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