PluginSolarCalculator.com The independent guide to UK plug-in solar
Guides, resources and tools to help you understand plug-in solar, estimate realistic generation, savings and payback, and find a kit that meets the UK rules.
- Aligned with UK rules
Every guide, tool and product listing is built around the official UK plug-in solar rules.
- Realistic savings modelling
Estimates reflect your postcode, panel setup, electricity use and UK system limits.
- Trusted kit listings
Every listed kit must have credible evidence of UK compliance.
What is plug-in solar?
- New UK rules allow households to install plug-in solar kits that can supply up to 800W of power directly into the home via a standard plug socket.
- Compliant systems are designed for safe DIY installation on a balcony, wall, shed roof or as a freestanding system in the garden.
- Kits pricing starts at around £350 and can reduce electricity bills by £95–£155 a year, depending on location, setup and electricity use.
- For renters, flat residents and homes without suitable roof space, plug-in solar offers a simpler, more affordable route into home solar.
How to get started with UK plug-in solar
Not sure where to begin with plug-in solar? Follow these six steps to estimate your savings, understand the UK rules and get a compliant kit up and running at home.
Use the Left and Right Arrow keys to move between steps.
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1Estimate your savings
Use our calculator to estimate likely generation, annual savings and payback period for a compliant plug-in solar kit.
Estimate plug-in solar savings -
2Understand the new UK rules
New UK rules came into force on 27 August 2026, creating a safe and legal way to buy and self-install a compliant plug-in solar kit.
Read the UK rules -
3Buy a compliant kit
Compare complete UK-compliant kits and choose one that suits your space, mounting location and budget.
Find a compliant kit -
4Set up your kit
Follow the supplied instructions and place the panels where they’ll get plenty of daylight and generate as much electricity as possible.
Boost solar output -
5Plug in and start saving
Generated solar electricity enters your home through a standard UK socket, helping to reduce your energy bills for years to come.
Explore potential savings -
6Register your kit
Register your compliant kit through the ENA myplugin.solar portal no later than 28 days after installation.
Read the registration guide
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Find UK-compliant plug-in solar kits
We track every plug-in solar kit listed as compliant on the ENA Type Test Register, verify which are actually available to buy, and for each live kit bring together full specifications, technical details, pricing, availability and practical pros and cons.
Our promise to you
You’ll only find compliant plug-in solar kits on this website. Every retail listing is checked against the official ENA Type Test Register, and we only list equipment as compliant when the kit being sold matches a compliant Plug-in Solar configuration.
Best value UK plug-in solar kits
Some of the cheapest compliant plug-in solar kits currently on the UK market.
Use the Left and Right Arrow keys to move between featured kits.
Explore Plug-in Solar Kits by Category
Browse UK-compliant plug-in solar kits by panel setup, power output or mounting location.
Free plug-in solar calculator
Estimate realistic plug-in solar savings & payback
Our free calculator is built specifically around the official UK plug-in solar rules. It models systems with an 800VA output limit, up to four solar panels with a combined capacity of up to 2,000W, and no integrated battery storage.
Enter your postcode, panel setup and a few details about your household and electricity use. The calculator creates a realistic estimate for your home, using postcode-level PVGIS solar data and cautious assumptions.
See realistic annual savings and payback period
Grounded estimates for annual bill savings, payback and long-term net savings, based on your location, household electricity use and setup.
Understand your plug-in solar generation and usage
See annual and monthly generation estimates, with a breakdown of how much solar electricity is used at home and how much is exported to the grid.
See when solar power may be available
See how solar output changes through the day and across the seasons, including when spare power may be available beyond your baseload electricity use.
Compare plug-in solar kit sizes
Compare estimated generation, savings and payback across compliant plug-in solar kits from 300W to 1,330W, and see how each system size performs.
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- European Commission data
Uses postcode-level solar radiation data from the European Commission’s PVGIS 5.3 dataset.
- Free and private
No email or sign-up required. Your estimate is calculated securely in your browser.
- Realistic assumptions
Uses cautious real-world assumptions rather than optimistic best-case scenarios.
Official UK rules
UK plug-in solar rules and requirements
The UK government has published new rules for plug-in solar, which came into force on 27 August 2026. Households can now buy complete compliant kits designed to connect safely through a standard UK socket and install them without an electrician.
To use this self-install route, the kit must comply with the new UK requirements and be installed exactly as the manufacturer specifies.
Explore the rules in more detail
Renting your home?
You should get permission from your landlord or property owner before installing a kit.
Key UK plug-in solar requirements
- Inverter must be limited to a maximum output of 800VA (~800W)
- Up to four solar panels with combined capacity of 2,000W
- Must be supplied as a complete kit (panels, inverter, cables & mounts)
- Register through ENA's myplugin.solar portal within 28 days of installation
- Compliant kits cannot include integrated battery storage
- Must not use extension leads or multi-way adaptors
- No installation on timber balconies or prohibited cladding systems
Based on the UK Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification, version 2.0 (opens in a new tab).
Latest plug-in solar news & updates
Supplier Interview
Bringing Plug-in Solar to Britain: An Interview with Worldwide Solar's Founder
Worldwide Solar founder René Tetzner discusses supplier challenges, kit pricing, consumer adoption and the future of plug-in solar in Britain.
Read the article-
Weekly report
The Plug-in Solar Report: 25 October 2026
Four new ENA approvals, City Plumbing PRO listings, Thunder Energy’s 530W kit, InstaGen on Amazon and a closer look at Voltacon’s ENA approvals.
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Market update
50 Compliant Plug-in Solar Kits Now Listed for Sale as UK Prices Begin to Fall
Eight weeks after the rules changed, 50 compliant kits have UK retail listings. We examine new launches, stock availability and falling prices.
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Policy & funding
Housing Associations Restrict Plug-in Solar Despite New UK Rules
Five housing providers ban plug-in solar, while eight require permission or checks. We examine what their policies mean for social housing tenants.
Tips & guides
Helpful plug-in solar guides
Practical guides to help you understand plug-in solar generation, setup choices and likely savings.
How Much Can You Save with Plug-in Solar in the UK?
See modelled UK savings for an 800W plug-in solar kit, including realistic annual savings, payback times and longer-term returns.
Read the savings guideHow Location, Direction and Angle Affect Plug-in Solar Generation
See how postcode, panel direction, panel angle, shading and real-world placement choices affect annual plug-in solar generation.
Read the generation guideWhat Is Included in a Plug-in Solar Kit?
See what usually comes in a plug-in solar kit, including panels, microinverters, cables, mounting systems and registration information.
Read the equipment guide