From today, households in the UK can legally plug solar panels straight into a socket at home. The update to legislation allows people to purchase kits of up to 800W to connect through a standard three-pin plug.
The law has been changed, and retailers including Amazon, Argos and Currys have said they will be selling the devices, which can reduce electricity use from the grid by 20 per cent on a sunny day.
OVO giveaway for Beyond customers
To mark the milestone, OVO is giving away five plug-in solar kits to its Beyond customers. The draw opens today and closes on 17 September. Any OVO customer can join Beyond for free in the OVO app and the competition is free to enter.
Plug-in solar has seen growing popularity in mainland Europe, where in Germany, more than a million kits are installed. A typical kit consists of two panels on a rack mount with a small inverter. It costs around £500 to buy and can save a household about £100 a year. It needs no roof, no scaffolding, and no installer and it can be unplugged and taken along when someone moves house.
Solar for people who can't put panels on a roof
Until now, rooftop solar has largely been the preserve of homeowners with the right roof and the money to pay for it. Plug-in solar opens up renewable generation to a whole new set of customers. It suits renters, those living in flats and homes with a small garden or patio.
The kit works behind the meter. The electricity it makes powers whatever is running in the home at the time, such as a fridge, a laptop, or a dishwasher during the day. There is no export and no feed-in payment, so the savings come from buying less electricity from the grid.
How to enter
Scott Duncan, Head of Domestic Exports said: “For years, getting solar has meant being a homeowner and being able to finance a sizable investment. Plug-in solar opens up clean energy to a much bigger audience and that’s why we are so excited that it’s available in the UK from today.
“To celebrate this pivotal moment, we’re giving OVO Beyond customers the chance to win 5 plug-in solar kits. And we’ll be launching more plug-in solar offers later this year.”
The draw is open to OVO Beyond members in Great Britain. OVO customers who aren't yet on Beyond can join free in the OVO app, then enter. Entries close at 23:59 on 17 September 2026. Five winners each receive a plug-in solar kit, completely free. Full terms and conditions are at the OVO website.
Beyond is OVO’s free-to-join rewards programme for OVO customers with a smart meter who pay via Direct Debit. To date, OVO Beyond customers have banked a total of 35.5 million EV miles and 165,000 solar panels, and unlocked 2.9 million hours of free electricity and 231,870 months of free heat pump heating.
