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- Plug-in solar panels are low-cost panels that families can put on their balconies or outdoor space
- The panels will cost around £400
- Plug-in solar is already widely used by households across Europe
More households are being helped to save money on bills through plug-in solar panels, as the government has vowed to go further and faster on clean energy in response to the conflict in the Middle East.
Plug-in solar panels are low-cost panels that families can put on their balconies or outdoor space, and will be available to purchase in shops within months.
Retailers, like Lidl and Iceland, alongside other manufacturers, for example EcoFlow, are working with the government to enable them to be brought to the UK market.
Plug-in solar is already widely used by households across Europe, with Germany reporting around 500,000 new devices being plugged in per year. The government has said it will work with the Energy Networks Association, Distribution Network Operators and regulator Ofgem to update the regulations.
More specifically, it will update the G98 distribution code and wiring regulations BS 7671 to allow UK households to connect sub-800W plug-in solar panels to domestic mains sockets, without the need for an electrician and with tailored safety standards.
But is it worth investing in these plug-in solar panels? Read on to find out.
How do plug-in solar panels work?
A plug-in solar panel will push power into your home using a micro-inverter to convert the DC electricity from the panel into AC electricity that matches your home’s frequency and voltage.
To prevent your home’s internal wiring from overheating, the UK has adopted the European standard limit of 800W for plug-in systems. This ensures the current being “back-fed” into your ring main doesn’t exceed what the cables can safely handle. If you’re unsure, we recommend researching a local supplier who can advise based on your current wiring systems.
You should also be aware of key features within a plug-in solar panel, including safety features. Its most critical safety feature is its inverter, which shut down within milliseconds if it’s unplugged from the wall or there’s a powercut. This prevents the pins of the plug from being ‘live’ and shocking you, as well as sending electricity back into the grid, while engineers might be working on the line.
Plug-in solar panels are safe, and the team at The Eco Experts are in the process of trying one out for ourselves, so you don’t have to. This includes checking safety features, monitoring its electricity output and how much we can save on our energy bills.
How much do plug-in solar panels cost?
Plug-in solar panels currently available on the market cost around £400, and the government has estimated that a typical UK home could save £70-£110 per year on their energy bills that could see families make their money back in four years.
Can I really just plug it into a standard three-pin socket?
Yes, according to Gov UK, the free solar power can be used directly through a mains socket like any other device. What’s more, without an installation cost, you’re reducing the amount of electricity taken from the grid, in turn, lowering your energy bills.
The technology claims to be easy to install and help make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets.
Will my energy supplier let me export this power?
Unfortunately, this is where the ‘plug and play’ dream hits a snag. In short, you can technically export power, but getting paid for it will be – for now – difficult.
Most energy suppliers will only pay you for exported power if your system has an MCS certificate, and to get this, you need to install solar panels by an MCS-accredited professional.
However, the whole point of plug-in solar is you don’t need a professional. If you plug it in yourself, you won’t have the paperwork most suppliers currently demand.
At the time of writing, the financial system for selling it back, the Smart Export Guarantee, wasn’t originally designed for DIY setups like the plug-in solar panels. This doesn’t mean this won’t always be the case, and we recommend reaching out to your local MP to discuss changing this.
If you’re wondering what happens if you don’t have an export deal and you generate more than you use, the power still goes back to the grid and your neighbours will technically use your green energy. You’re also essentially giving the energy company free electricity, so if you’re thinking of getting a plug-in solar panel, talk to your energy supplier about what’s possible. You might be surprised.
Though if you have a modern smart meter, it will record this export data anyway, but your supplier won’t credit your account unless you are on a formal SEG plan. Therefore, with plug-in solar kits, don’t rely on export payments to make the maths work. These systems are most effective when you use 100% of what they produce, so we suggest using them to cover your appliances that are always on, like your fridge or Wi-Fi router. If you want to maximise your savings, we also suggest using them for any heavy appliances, like washing machines or your dishwasher.
Are plug-in solar panels renter friendly?
Plug-in solar panels are arguably the most renter-friendly energy upgrade hitting the UK market because they don’t require structural changes or permanent wiring. These solar panels almost solve the “split incentive” problem where landlords own the roof, but tenants pay the bills.
What’s more, you can also take them with you. Unlike traditional rooftop solar panels, a plug-in kit belongs to you. Therefore, when your tenancy ends, you simply unplug it, fold up the panels, and take them to your next home. This makes it a personal appliance rather than a property improvement.
Another pro to plug-in solar panels is that there’s no major work required. Most kits use weighted mounts or heavy-duty ‘no-drill’ hooks that hang over a balcony railing. If you don’t have an outdoor socket either, many kits include flat ribbon cables that pass through the seal of a closed window or door, without preventing it from locking.
While plug-in solar panels are great for renters, we’d still strongly recommend talking to your landlord before installing them. This is because some tenancies forbid hanging items from balconies and your landlord or building managers might object on ‘aesthetic’ grounds.
When it comes to that conversation, reassure your landlord about plug-in solar panels’ safety features.
