What are plug-in solar panels?
Plug-in solar panels sit on the ground (rather than on your roof) and, when mounting kits become available, on a balcony or other sunny spot. These panels then plug in to your mains electricity. They’re much cheaper and simpler to install than rooftop solar. You can potentially even install them yourself. They do produce less electricity than rooftop solar panels, but you can take them with you if you move home.
How do plug-in solar panels work?
Plug-in solar panels convert sunlight into electricity the same way that roof-mounted ones do. But they feed the electricity into your mains via a plug rather then being wired in.
How much energy can plug-in solar panels generate?
The UK may not be famous for its sunshine, but we get more than enough daylight for solar to work effectively. If rolled out well, plug-in solar can play a small but important role in cutting emissions while bringing power – both literally and financially – to the people.
How much could you save on electricity bills with plug-in solar?
At a time when energy bills remain so high, giving people a simple way to generate their own electricity will enable households to cut costs by reducing their reliance on expensive fossil fuels like gas.
Before buying plug-in solar, think about how much electricity your home uses during the day, when the panels generate most power. Unlike rooftop solar, you can’t earn money from plug-in solar electricity that you don’t use straight away. And under the current rules, plug-in solar kits can’t include a battery, so you can’t store unused electricity for later either.
Plug-in solar with batteries are expected to reach the UK later, but there’s no confirmed launch date.
Can you get plug-in solar panels in the UK?
Plug-in solar panels can legally be sold in the UK from 27 August 2026. They'll make it easier for people to generate clean power and reduce their energy bills.
What are Friends of the Earth doing on solar energy?
Friends of the Earth has been campaigning on renewable energy for years. This includes solar panels.
In 2010, we persuaded the government to pass a new law to ensure people got a decent payment for tackling climate change by generating their own renewable electricity from rooftop solar. This gave the solar industry the support it needed to grow and created thousands of jobs.
We welcome plug-in solar and hope we’ll see more larger community schemes like solar panels for schools. Manchester Friends of the Earth group members have already set up Greater Manchester Community Renewables and installed solar panels on 10 schools and a community centre.
How can you get plug-in solar for your home?
If you own your home, you could install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on your roof and harness the power of renewable solar energy to heat your home and water, while also reducing your emissions by about 20%. Plug-in solar kits are also now available, with hybrid mount kits for balconies arriving in October. This puts renewable power generation within reach for millions of people who’ve been locked out until now, from renters to those without a suitable roof. Roof-mounted solar PV can pay for itself within 5 to 10 years and will last for over 40 years. Use the Energy Saving Trust’s solar energy calculator to estimate energy savings and potential financial payments you may receive by installing roof-top solar panels.
