Compliant plug-in solar panels can now be bought and used across Great Britain, after new rules took effect on August 27.
The small kits can produce up to 800 watts and may provide up to 20 percent of an average home's electricity use. The government says a household could save as much as £110 a year, though actual savings will vary.
The change could make solar more accessible to renters and people who live in flats or homes without a suitable roof. Independent safety testing covers the key electrical parts.
Only products that meet the official safety requirements qualify. People may also need permission from a landlord, freeholder or council before putting a panel outdoors or on a balcony.
