How it works
A plug-in solar kit is a compact system for a suitable balcony, wall, railing or ground stand. The panels generate electricity, the inverter converts it for your home, and the system connects through a suitable fixed wall socket.
The short version
1
Mount and connect
Mount the panels as instructed, connect everything together and plug it into one suitable fixed socket.
2
Generate
Daylight produces DC electricity, which the inverter converts into mains AC electricity.
3
Use it first
Your home uses the solar power first. If it needs more, the grid supplies the rest.
2 solar panels
Daylight becomes direct current
800 W inverter
Converts it to the electricity your home runs on
Your appliances
Solar offsets part of their demand; the grid supplies the remainder
Electricity your home does not use may flow out to the grid. Do not assume you will be paid for it.
The part that does the work
Solar panels produce direct current. Your home runs on alternating current at 230 volts and 50 hertz. The microinverter sits between the two and converts one into the other, matching the voltage and frequency it measures on your circuit so its output blends in.
The inverter watches the grid constantly. If the mains supply fails, it shuts down automatically and stops feeding power out. That behaviour is required, and it is why a plug-in device cannot keep your lights on during a power cut. It is a bill-reduction device, not a backup supply.
The inverter sends solar power into your home's electrical circuit through a suitable socket, ready for your appliances to use. Your home electrics and chosen socket must be suitable.
What arrives
Panels
Lightweight, flexible modules that suit a railing or a wall. Far lighter than the rigid glass panels used on roofs.
Microinverter
The unit that converts and synchronises. The kit is built around a specific inverter, not a generic one.
Mounting
Brackets and fixings matched to where the panels go, so nothing has to be improvised.
Cabling
Pre-made leads of the right length and rating, plus the connection to your socket.
These parts are supplied and tested together. That matters legally as well as practically — a kit assembled at home from separately bought components is a different thing, with different obligations. Our compliance page explains why.
Where it goes
Many renters, flat owners and households without a suitable roof cannot install conventional rooftop solar. A plug-in kit can provide another option where there is a secure, permitted and suitable position for the panels.
Balcony railings
A good option where the railing is strong and suitable. If you rent or live in a flat, get permission first and follow the supplied instructions.
Walls and fences
A sunny wall or sturdy fence can work well, provided the surface and fixings are suitable.
Flat roofs and patios
Panels can sit on a suitable stand without drilling into the surface. Make sure the stand is secure and designed for the location.
Direction matters more than most people expect. South-facing and unshaded produces the most; east or west noticeably less; north-facing or heavily shaded is rarely worth it. Our savings calculator lets you compare positions before you buy.
Honest expectations
An 800W system can reduce the electricity drawn by daytime loads such as a fridge, router, standby equipment, laptop and lighting. When a higher-power appliance such as a kettle or washing machine is running, the system can offset up to 800W and the grid supplies the remainder.
It will not power a house. It does not run an electric shower, a heat pump or an oven on its own, and it produces nothing at night. It reduces what you buy from the grid; it does not replace your supply.
Electricity you do not use may flow out to the grid. You may not be paid for it, so you will usually save more by using electricity while your panels are generating.
Before you connect
A suitable socket
Use one suitable fixed wall socket on an appropriate circuit. Never use an extension lead or multi-way adapter.
Permission
If you rent or live in a leasehold flat, the railing or wall may not be yours to fix things to. Ask in writing first.
Register your system
After installation, register your system using the official UK Plug-In Solar Registration service. We provide the product details you need.
Not normally to connect it, but your socket and home electrics must be suitable. If you are unsure about your wiring, consumer unit or chosen socket, ask a qualified electrician.
Yes, at reduced output. Panels respond to daylight, not only direct sun, so a bright overcast day still produces a useful amount.
The inverter shuts down and stops generating. This is a required safety behaviour and means a plug-in system cannot be used as a backup supply.
Yes, in many cases. Install it at the new home as instructed, check that you have permission and a suitable socket, then register it at the new address.
Not as part of the plug-in system under the current UK rules. If you already have rooftop solar or a separate home battery, get professional advice before connecting a plug-in system.
Most of the time goes on mounting the panels securely. The electrical side is a single connection.