Plug-in balcony solar panels to go on sale in UK for first time

The systems can be plugged into a standard wall socket to generate solar power from a balcony, terrace, shed roof or any other outdoor space. Photograph: Ronald Rampsch/Alamy

Plug-in solar panels will go on sale in the UK for the first time from Thursday, allowing households unable to use rooftop panels to also generate their own cheap electricity.

Households across the country will be able to join the millions across mainland Europe who generate their own renewable electricity using “balcony solar panels”, which will be stocked by some of the UK’s biggest retailers.