Plug-in solar panels

When working out plug-in solar panel savings, we’ve used these assumptions:

• 800W plug-in solar panel system.
• Panels installed in Manchester, facing south, angled at 30º from the horizontal, with no shading.
• Annual household electricity use is 2,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is Ofgem’s ‘typical domestic consumption value’.
• Two scenarios are calculated:
  • one where the household is in all day and able to use more of the generated electricity
  • another where the household is out during the day and not able to use as much of the generated electricity
• Electricity price: 24.7p/kWh.

1. Sunlight hits the cells on the solar panel, which turn the solar energy into direct current (DC) electricity.
2. A connected device called a microinverter converts the DC electricity to alternating current (AC). This makes it safe for your home to use.
3. The AC electricity flows through a standard plug socket, directly into your home’s electrical system.
4. It can directly power your appliances such as lights, electrical devices and appliances using electricity generated from sunlight. If you use more electricity than the panels generate, electricity automatically comes from the grid as normal. If it generates more than you use, excess electricity is automatically exported to the grid.

The process is the same as rooftop solar panels but differs by being a smaller self-installed device that plugs into a socket. Rooftop solar panels are professionally installed, permanent and more expensive, but they generate more energy.

Since 27 August 2026, plug-in solar panels that meet certain standards are legal to use in Great Britain.

Due to having different regulations that need to be updated, they aren’t currently legal to use in Northern Ireland.

Cut your energy bills

Using free renewable energy to power your everyday appliances means lower electricity bills.

Could be a suitable alternative to rooftop solar panels

If you’re not able to get traditional solar panels, plug-in solar could be a more practical or more affordable option.

Protection from electricity price hikes

Using free electricity from the sun helps shield you from future changes to electricity prices.

Plug-in solar panels are most suitable for:

If your roof is unsuitable for solar panels, plug-in solar panels in your garden could be a suitable alternative.

A rooftop solar panel system costs around £7,600 on average. This makes plug-in solar panels a less expensive option to get started with solar power.

This is how they’re commonly used in other countries such as Germany. Current devices available in the UK are more suitable to garden locations rather than balconies.

Before installing on a balcony of a flat, you’ll need permission before going ahead. You’ll also need to have an appropriate frame, fixing or anchors.

UK-compliant plug-in solar panel devices are limited to a maximum output of 800W of electricity, on average. This translates to around 700 kWh across the year, based on our research.

Plug-in solar panel devices that meet UK regulations cost from around £450. This includes:

• solar panels
• microinverter
• mounting brackets
• cables

Yes. Our energy experts have worked out how much plug-in solar panels can save you.

You get the most out of the plug-in solar panels if you’re able to use the energy they generate at the time. So, the amount you could save changes depending on whether you tend to be at home during the day:

• Home all day: £100 a year
• Out during the day: £70 a year

As you’d expect, this is less than you’d get with a rooftop solar panel setup.

The main difference is that plug-in solar panels plug into a mains socket. Rooftop solar panels, meanwhile, are hardwired into your home’s electrical system.

This means that plug-in solar panels tend to be less powerful than rooftop solar panels.

Provided that the panels are made to meet UK regulations and are installed correctly, yes. When installing plug-in solar panels, make sure you:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use an appropriate frame or mounting.
• Fix the solar panels securely onto a safe and sturdy surface.

If you’re unsure about any part of the installation, speak to a certified professional.

At the moment, you can only have one plug-in solar panel device in your home. This device may be made up of more than one solar panel. You’re not allowed to plug in more than one solar panel device or connect multiple solar panel devices together. You might hear this being called ‘daisy chaining’.

The UK Government is currently looking to amend the regulations to allow more than one solar panel device per home in the future.

Not normally. Most energy suppliers say your solar panels must have a valid MCS certificate to prove it’s installed to a certain standard. Without it, you can’t normally sell electricity under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).  

However, some energy suppliers may let you sell electricity on one of their tariffs without an MCS certificate. Get in touch with your energy supplier to see what they offer.

It depends.

Before you buy plug-in solar panels, you should check:

• Whether you have the right permissions to install the panels e.g. a landlord, building manager, planning office.
• Whether your property and electrics are suitable e.g. do you have a suitable location? Is your wiring not too old?
• Whether the panels are made to UK standards and are on the register of approved models.

Before you buy, read our plug-in solar panel checklist.

At the moment, you can buy UK compliant solar panels from a small number of retailers online. But we expect the number of retailers to grow over the next few months.

Check the product specification to make sure it’s compliant with UK regulations.

As the list of approved retailers grows, we’ll update this guide with more information.

Yes. You’re legally required to register any plug-in solar panel devices before you use them in the UK. You can register using the UK Plug-in Solar Registration website.

To register your device, you’ll need:

• your name
• your postcode
• the make and model of the device