A 465W plug-in solar setup for £260, all from one retailer. Here's the exact parts list, what's legal right now, and what's still coming in July 2026.
A couple of months ago I wrote here about the UK finally approving plug-in solar. Since then I've been tracking the regulations, the retailers and the pricing almost daily — and things have moved on significantly.
The exact build: £260 or £370, all from City Plumbing
You can now put together a complete plug-in solar setup without hunting across multiple suppliers. Everything below ships from City Plumbing — a major UK trade retailer that's clearly made a strategic decision to own this market:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| DMEGC 465W G12 All-Black Solar Panel (×1 or ×2) | £120 / £240 |
| Hoymiles HiFlow 800W micro-inverter with UK plug-and-play cable | £120 |
| MC4 cables + basic mounting | ~£20 |
Total: £260 for a 465W setup. £370 for 930W input — capped at 800W output by the inverter.
The Hoymiles HiFlow accepts two panels. Fence, shed roof, south-facing wall — it's designed to be fixed anywhere stable.
Note: balcony installs need an approved mounting kit. Balcony railing loads need to be taken seriously — consult the manufacturer before buying.
The fact that City Plumbing — a proper trade supplier, not just a gadget shop — is stocking a UK-specific plug-in inverter alongside a wide panel range says a lot about where this market is heading.
Where the law stands right now
BS 7671 Amendment 4 went live on 15 April 2026. That's the wiring regulations update that formally recognises plug-in solar as a category in UK law for the first time.
The BSI product certification standard isn't expected until mid-July 2026. That's the piece that certifies specific kits as compliant. Several products — including the Hoymiles HiFlow — are already being sold in anticipation of it.
You still need to submit a G98 notification within 28 days of installing. Free, no approval required, just a notification to your local DNO. Takes about 10 minutes online.
The legal framework exists. The products exist. The major retailers are stocking them. The final piece — formal product certification — lands in around six weeks.
For the 57% without a roof
Renters, flat dwellers, anyone without roof access: this is for you. A £260 setup generating 400–500W on a sunny afternoon offsets a fridge, a router, a TV, and more — for years. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 also makes it harder for landlords to refuse energy improvement requests, and sunhours.app/plug-in-solar-uk has a landlord letter template ready to use.
Go deeper
I've been building a guide that updates as regulations evolve: the full G98/DNO process, current products, a postcode payback calculator, landlord letter template, and how batteries now fit in (both with solar and standalone for overnight smart-tariff shifting).
Full guide → sunhours.app/plug-in-solar-uk
To see your postcode's exact solar output before you buy anything, the Sun Hours app uses NASA POWER satellite data to give you month-by-month peak sun hours for your location.
See Your Postcode's Solar Potential
The Sun Hours app uses NASA POWER satellite data to show you exactly how many peak sun hours your postcode gets — by month. Know what to expect before you spend £260.
Get it on Google Play →