The Government have recently announced that plug-in solar panels (also known as balcony solar) will soon be available to buy in Britain. Plug-in solar panels, which will soon be available in shops such as Lidl GB and Amazon, are a cheaper and quicker alternative to a rooftop solar array.
Plug-in panels are solar arrays under 800W that use a plug-in inverter, which can be connected directly to a standard three-pin socket. This means they can be used in smaller spaces, such as your garden or balcony. They can help reduce your reliance on the grid during daylight hours, helping you to save money on your bills and be greener!
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Plug-in solar panels do what they say on the tin! Simply set up your panels in an appropriate place that gets lots of sun and plug them into a standard three-pin socket. The government are planning to change wiring regulations, so when they become available, you will not need an electrician to install plug-in solar.
The panels work by generating electricity from sunlight, which it then converts using a built-in microinverter. The microinverter will then convert the power from DC to AC and feed it to your home’s circuit through the mains. The electricity that is being generated will be used by the appliances you have on during the time the electricity is being generated, such as your fridge.
It is estimated that plug-in solar can save households between £70 and £110 a year. With an estimated price of around £400, it could mean that the payback period is as little as 4 years.
With a traditional rooftop array, you would be able to install more panels. They are usually installed alongside a battery, which you can use to store energy for later use and export energy back to the grid, giving you better flexibility.
The payback period also differs slightly. Plug-in solar could be paid back in as little as 4 years compared to a full rooftop array, which will have a longer payback time of around 8 years, depending on your setup and location. But your savings are greater with rooftop solar - a typical household could save around £454 every year, as you’re able to generate much more electricity.
At the moment, plug-in panels are designed for you to use the electricity as it is generated.
To get the most out of them, you’ll want to run appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher during the middle of the day. In the future, it may be possible to send any extra energy back to the grid.
Plug-in solar is designed for you to use the electricity you generate immediately, so you won’t need to be on a tariff designed for solar.
Unlike rooftop panels, having a Smart Meter is not a necessary requirement for plug-in solar, but it is a good idea to have one installed anyway. Smart Meters have benefits beyond solar, and can help you save more on top of your plug-in panels. It may also be beneficial in the future if plug-in solar expands to exportation.
As plug-in solar feeds electricity back into the mains, they have not been compliant with UK electrical laws. However, the Government plans to update the G98 and the BS 7671 wiring rules, allowing systems under 800W to be installed directly to your mains.
Once the Government have updated wiring laws, they will be available in shops across Great Britain. This is expected to happen in the coming Summer, allowing panels to be sold in shops such as Tesco and Lidl GB.
Plug-In solar has already been rolled out in mainland Europe in countries such as Germany and Spain.
These panels will be beneficial for households that are short on space or don’t have access to a roof. Plug-in panels are especially suited to those in flats, renters, households with small gardens or balconies, and anyone who wants an accessible way to be greener and reduce their energy bills.
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