Plug-In Solar is coming to the UK
No scaffolding. No electrician. No £10,000 price tag. Just a plug, a socket, and free electricity from your balcony or garden. Here's everything you need to know before Plug-In Solar Day.
Estimated time until kits hit UK shops
Counting to 1 July 2026 — estimated BSI certification & shop availability date
Typical kit cost
£400–£500
No installer fee
Annual saving
£70–£110
DESNZ estimate
Payback period
3–5 years
Then free power
Systems in Germany
1M+
Proof it works
What is plug-in solar — and why does it matter?
Plug-in solar panels (also called balcony solar or plug-and-play solar) are compact kits containing one or two solar panels and a microinverter. The microinverter converts the panels' DC output to 230V AC — the same electricity your home uses — and plugs into a standard 13A socket.
From that point, your appliances automatically draw from solar first. Your smart meter slows down. Your bill drops. No account needed. No export tariff paperwork. No roof work.
Until March 2026, plug-in solar was banned in the UK due to electrical safety regulations. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband officially announced legalisation on 24 March 2026, with kits from EcoFlow, Lidl, Iceland, and Amazon expected in UK shops by summer 2026.
Germany already has over 1 million systems installed. The UK is catching up — fast. If you rent, live in a flat, or simply want to try solar without a five-figure commitment, this is the moment.
How it works
Sun → DC → 230V AC → your wall socket
A UK plug-in solar kit is four moving parts: a solar panel, a microinverter, a 13A socket, and your existing home wiring. The microinverter does the work of any rooftop inverter — just smaller and certified for direct plug-in.
Before you buy
Top 3 things to do before Plug-In Solar Day
01
Check your consumer unit
Older homes (pre-2008) may have Type AC RCDs, which aren't designed for plug-in solar. You need a Type B RCD. A quick check by an electrician costs far less than a kit — worth doing first.
02
Find your south-facing spot
A south, south-west, or south-east facing balcony, garden, or shed roof is ideal. Even a south-facing fence works. Avoid heavily shaded spots — a 20% shade can cut output by 50% or more.
03
Download Sun Hours — know when your panels shine
Once your kit is in, the question becomes: when do I run the dishwasher? Charge the car? Sun Hours gives you a 7-day kWh forecast for your exact postcode — just enter your postcode and peak output. Free. No account.
Get it free on Google Play →Best kits right now
Top 3 plug-in solar deals in the UK
Prices checked April 2026. Always verify before buying — deals change.
01
EcoFlow STREAM 800W Kit
🏆 Top PickThe official UK government partner product. Two 400W panels + 800W microinverter. Modular — add a battery later without replacing anything. Anti-islanding certified.
02
EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter Only
💸 Budget EntryBuy just the microinverter, then source your own 400W panel separately from £57 (City Plumbing). Full 800W system for under £200. Best value on the market right now.
03
Lidl & Iceland ~£400 Kit
⏳ Coming SoonBoth retailers are confirmed government partners for the UK plug-in solar rollout. Expected on shelves summer 2026 once BSI certification lands. Watch this space.
Note: EcoFlow STREAM kits are available now but plugging directly into a mains socket is not yet legal in the UK without an electrician. Full DIY self-connection expected from summer 2026 once BSI certification is published.
Know exactly when your panels will generate — before they even arrive.
Sun Hours is the free app for solar owners (and soon-to-be solar owners) in the UK. Enter your postcode and your system's peak output — get a 7-day kWh forecast and hourly curve showing when your panels hit their best. Plan your washing, EV charging, and high-draw appliances around the sun. No account. No tracking. No faff.
Try before you buy
How many kWh would your plug-in kit generate?
Use the free Sun Hours calculator on our homepage — enter your UK postcode and the system size you're considering (typically 800W for a UK plug-in kit), and see your expected hourly and yearly kWh output before you spend a penny.
Open the solar generation calculator →Plug-in solar UK — common questions
Deep dive
Plug-In Solar vs Rooftop Solar: Which Is Right for You? (UK 2026) →Full cost and savings comparison · 8 min read