The government has committed to making plug-in solar available in shops within months.

The announcement comes amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The government says that the conflict is a reminder that the only route to energy security and sovereignty for the UK is to end the dependence on fossil fuel markets and accelerate the drive for clean, homegrown power, as well as new renewables and nuclear. 

Plug-in solar panels can be placed in outdoor spaces or on balconies and plugged in to a mains socket to provide energy for households. The tools could reduce the amount of electricity taken from the grid and cut energy bills.

The government is working with retailers like Lidl and Amazon, and manufacturers like EcoFlow to enable the products to be brought to the UK market.

In Germany, around half a million new devices are brought in every year.

Georgina Hall, Corporate Affairs Director at Lidl GB said: "At Lidl GB, we are committed to making sustainable living affordable for everyone and we welcome the Government’s move to modernise regulations in the UK. Updating the regulatory landscape for this ‘plug-and-play’ technology is a positive step towards empowering British households to manage their energy costs and support the nation’s net-zero ambitions."

Furthermore, the New Homes Standard has come into force, which means that new house will include solar panels and clean heating as standard. It is hoped these could save families up to £830 a year on their energy bills, compared to a standard home with an EPC rating of C. These homes should create at least 75 per cent fewer carbon emissions than those built to 2013 standards.

Another initiative will enable energy companies to offer discounted energy bills to customers of windy days, rather than continuing the practice of paying wind turbines to turn off, as the network cannot carry all the power.

The annual renewables auction has also been brought forward to July.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: "Building 1.5 million new homes also means building high-quality homes that are cheaper to run and warmer to live in.  

"As we make the switch to clean, homegrown energy, today’s standard is what the future of housing can and should look like. Not only will these changes protect hardworking families from shocks abroad but will also slash hundreds of pounds off their energy bills every year."