Plug-in solar in Faversham
An approved panel and small inverter that plugs into a normal socket. No roof work. A small, simple way to start, and the easiest option for many flats and rented homes.
What you get
- An approved kit with panel, small inverter, frame and cable. The Energy Saving Trust says kits cost from about £450.
- Savings of about £70 to £100 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust, and up to £110 according to GOV.UK.
- We only point you to kits that meet the government specification.
- Help registering it, and a note of your network operator, UK Power Networks.
The rules, kept simple
- Only kits that meet the specification are legal. Cheaper unapproved kits sold online fall outside it.
- Up to 800W, and one device per household at the moment.
- Register it before you use it.
- Renters need permission from the landlord, building owner or freeholder.
- It plugs in and is not wired into your fuse board. For that, choose a full installation.
Where it works. A fence, shed, balcony rail or garden frame with a few hours of sun, not on a timber-clad surface. In a conservation area, or with a listed building, check before you buy. Planning permission and listed building consent can still be needed, and we can help you check.
Want more than a plug-in kit? A roof system makes five to ten times the power, can qualify for export payments, and can take a battery. See solar only or solar and battery. Roof installs are delivered with our MCS-certified installation partner.
Plug-in solar questions
Is plug-in solar legal in the UK?
Yes in Great Britain, from 27 August 2026, for kits that meet the government's specification. GOV.UK announced it on 26 August 2026. It is not yet legal in Northern Ireland.
How much power can a plug-in kit make?
A kit is limited to 800W (800VA in the DESNZ specification). GOV.UK says that is enough for up to 20% of an average home's electricity use. The Energy Saving Trust puts it at about 700 kWh a year and savings at about £70 to £100.
Do I have to register it?
Yes. The Energy Saving Trust says you are legally required to register a kit before use on the UK Plug-in Solar Registration website. Your network operator here is UK Power Networks. We help you do it.
Can I get export payments?
Not normally. Most suppliers need an MCS certificate for the Smart Export Guarantee, and plug-in kits do not have one.
Can I add a battery to a plug-in kit?
No. The government specification does not cover plug-in kits with built-in batteries. For a battery, choose a full installation, see our solar and battery page.
I rent. Can I use one?
Get written permission from your landlord, building owner or freeholder first. The Planning Portal also says plug-in solar should not go on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, or any exterior clad in timber.
Sources: GOV.UK, 26 August 2026; Energy Saving Trust, updated 1 October 2026; Planning Portal; DESNZ product specification, July 2026. Last reviewed 7 October 2026.
Get a free, no-pressure quote
Tell us your address and your last 12 months of electricity use. We reply with clear options and prices.