Will you be getting plug-in solar?

[SunInTheCity]

From the 27th August, UK households will be able to buy and self-install solar systems up to 800W that can be plugged into a standard socket. Panels will come with brackets designed for installing on balconies, patios, roofs and even on walls.

Kits are likely to be available for less than £500 and estimated savings are £70-£100 a year at current electricity prices making the breakeven point around 5-7 years. As well as being significantly cheaper than a professional installation, it also makes it easier for renters to get solar panels.

Will you be buying one?

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jul/23/uk-households-free-install-plug-in-balcony-solar-panels

Definitely interested.

Interested but beyond my budget.

Not a chance. Have a google about the risks and prepare for an increase in insurance premiums.

Ideally yes.

Is it as simple as plugging it in? I don’t understand how that energy can be stored or used in the house?

Can you share a link?

Almost certainly. And then I shall organise washing, drying, and cooking around daylight hours.

Yes you just plug it in. I'm no expert when it comes to electrical things but my interpretation is that you can use what you are generating instead of drawing from the grid. If you have the right electricity tariff you can also get paid for any excess generation.

One thing to note is that the kit requires an inverter that has a safety feature that stops power flow if the grid cuts off so it can't be used as a power backup.

There's an FAQ here from Octopus - https://octopus.energy/blog/plug-in-solar-panels-explained/

Looks like I was wrong about getting paid for excess but I'm sure I read somewhere that you could so maybe other suppliers will offer it?

Yes hoping too. Is anywhere selling them in the uk yet?

Ooh defo interested. Not being an electrician means I don’t fully understand how the power can flow back into a plug socket when power has always always flowed out of them so I am - in my ignorance - slightly worries about fire risk. If anyone on here knows better and can point me to information (instead of just laughing at me) I’d be grateful.

Yes I am thinking I will get one but will mount it inside a bedroom window. Had not thought of the insurance risk. I already have a battery which paid for itself about a year ago.

I can imagine they'll be the latest thing to steal too. Like the doorbells.

I am guessing that the panel will have its own inverter so will output 240V at 50Hz back into the mains and this will replace some of the mains electric that you use.

I'm also interested, but having just read the Octopus info, it says that the electricity generated would only run wifi, the fridge etc, not enough for the washing machine. Soooo I'm not too sure!

4 to 7 years to recoup outlay is far more attractive than the decade I was quoted for a rooftop setup recently. I don't know if I'll still be living here in 10 years.
These could be sold or taken with me if I move on whereas rooftop installations can't.

They probably won't be easy to mount as they are heavy.

Maybe there will be a rush of people to get them, not mounting them properly and them falling off, injuring people or smashing to pieces.

The other thing is that you need to mount them in the correct direction and the correct angle in order to get the maximum benefit from them.

I guess they are already used in other parts of the world, so the experiences there should tell us something.

I would love one

DH is an electrician/electrical engineer, he says they aren't safe and we absolutely cannot have them

What does your dh think about the high adoption rates in Germany @Cowsontheloose ?

Sounds a bit like people who used to say phones give you brain cancer. 🤔

They are probably not unlike the systems used on caravans etc and will only power low voltage stuff.

In what way does he think they are unsafe?

https://www.theiet.org/media/press-releases/press-releases-2026/press-releases-2026-january-march/24-march-2026-iet-urges-households-to-check-electrical-safety-before-using-plug-in-solar-products

It is mainly to do with the system in the house not being suitable.