Plug-in solar panels could save households up to $370 a year – if Australia made them legal as in the UK

A new push to legalize plug-in solar panels in Australia could slash household energy costs by hundreds of dollars annually while supporting climate goals, according to an advocacy group. These compact, portable solar units—capable of being mounted on balconies or used in backyards—plug directly into power points to offset appliance energy use. Experts suggest such systems, priced around $1,000, could recoup their cost within three years through savings. The proposal draws inspiration from the UK’s existing regulations, where similar setups are already helping residents cut energy expenses.

A plug-in solar kit that costs about $1,000 ‘pays for itself in three years’, one expert saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMillions of Australians could be saving up to $370 a year on energy bills and doing their bit for the climate crisis if Labor followed the UK’s lead in legalising plug-in solar panels, an advocacy group has said.Plug-in solar refers to small standalone solar units that could be attached to balconies or used in back yards and plugged into power points, offsetting the energy used by household appliances. Continue reading...