Start small, upgrade later
Not ready for rooftop panels? A plug-in solar kit is a smaller first step. It sits on a stand in the garden and plugs into a weatherproof outdoor socket.
Check if starting small suits you
A plug-in kit could suit you if:
- You have a sunny garden, patio or yard with room for a panel stand
- There's a weatherproof outdoor socket within 4m of the spot, or an electrician can fit one
- Your fuse box has modern RCD protection (an electrician can check this)
- You own your home, or your landlord or freeholder agrees in writing
- You live in England, Scotland or Wales (not Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands)
Know the limits of a small kit
| Plug-in kit | Rooftop system | |
|---|---|---|
| Power into your home | Up to 800W (799VA) | Commonly 3kW to 6kW |
| Where it goes | On a stand in the garden | On your roof |
| Who sets it up | You do. An electrician fits or checks the outdoor socket if needed | An installer |
| How it connects | Straight into a weatherproof outdoor socket, no extension leads | Wired in by the installer |
| Before first use | Register it free at myplugin.solar and tell your home insurer | The installer tells the network operator |
| How many | One kit per household, never with a home battery | Can include a battery |
Kits with more than 960W of panels should have a professional check of your electrics before use.
Upgrade to rooftop when ready
When you want more, request rooftop quotes. Tell the installer about your plug-in kit at the survey, and they'll advise whether it can stay connected alongside the new system.
We don't sell plug-in kits on this site.
Is plug-in solar allowed in Birmingham?
Yes. Kits that meet the rules can be used in England, Scotland and Wales. Register yours free at myplugin.solar before you first use it.
Can I add a battery to a plug-in kit?
No. Plug-in solar kits must never be used with a home battery. If you want storage, a rooftop system with a battery is the route.