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Argos is the first retailer to offer the DIY solar systems this week

Households across Great Britain can now save up to £110 a year on their electricity bills after plug-in solar panels became legal to purchase and use from today.

The 800W kits, available from roughly £400 to £500, are capable of generating around a fifth of a typical home's electricity needs.

Unlike traditional rooftop installations, these compact systems require no professional fitting and come at a fraction of the cost.

Major high street and online retailers, including Argos, Amazon, Currys and B&Q, are preparing to stock the panels, opening up solar power to millions of renters and flat-dwellers for the first time.

The move comes as energy costs continue to climb, with the war in Iran pushing up wholesale gas prices.

Ofgem announced a 4 per cent rise in its domestic energy price cap from October, putting further pressure on household budgets.

The government has been taking steps to ease the burden on families. In July, the Prime Minister set out plans to reduce VAT on energy bills ahead of winter.

That followed £150 worth of savings introduced through last year's Budget and an expansion of the £150 Warm Home Discount, which now reaches approximately six million households.

Legalising plug-in solar is the latest measure aimed at giving people more control over their costs.

The panels work by plugging directly into a standard wall socket, feeding solar power straight into a home's electrical circuit. This means appliances draw energy from the panel rather than the grid.

When the sun is shining, a single kit can simultaneously run a fridge, television, Wi-Fi router, laptop, phone charger and an Xbox S. No professional installation is required, keeping upfront costs to a minimum.

The legal changes were made only after thorough independent safety testing confirmed that compliant devices work safely with UK wiring. Britain's safety standards are stricter than those in Germany, where the technology is already widespread.

Each system must be registered with the National Energy System Operator so it can assess how widespread adoption might reduce reliance on gas-fired power and energy imports.

Argos is the first retailer to offer the DIY solar systems this week, with Amazon, Currys, B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes expected to follow in the coming weeks.

The technology is already hugely popular across mainland Europe. In Germany, where the devices are known as "Balkonkraftwerk" (balcony power plant), roughly half a million new units were plugged in last year alone. Spain has also seen strong uptake.

The panels can be placed in any outdoor space, from balconies and terraces to shed roofs. They are about a fifth of the size of a standard residential rooftop solar installation.

Before buying, the government advises checking whether any permissions are needed. Renters should seek approval from their landlord, while leaseholders may require freeholder consent. Planning permission or listed building consent could also apply.

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Plug-in solar is a simple, affordable way for households to take control of their energy bills and start saving straight away. From this summer, we're giving more families the ability power their homes with clean homegrown energy."

Trevor Hutchings, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said: "The arrival of plug-in solar is a huge step forward in democratising renewable energy and giving everyone the access they deserve to clean, cheap, homegrown power."

Mr Hutchings added that it was "only right that this benefit should be felt by renters and flat-owners as well."