Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 21 subscribers
  • Views 62 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in

What is largest solar panel available for a roof?

CliveS

A facebook page had this item highlighting a small wall panel plugged in, could it be true??

" 

On August 27, 2026, new UK rules made compliant plug-in solar systems legal to buy, self-install, and connect directly to standard household sockets. Each system is limited to 800W AC, while the connected panels can provide up to 2,000W DC.
The small systems use solar panels and a microinverter to supply electricity directly to household circuits, making solar more accessible without conventional rooftop installation. They could be especially useful for renters, apartment residents, and homes without suitable roofs, with government estimates suggesting savings of up to £110 per year.
Safety rules still apply: systems must meet electrical standards, plug directly into a suitable socket, and be notified to the local electricity network operator after installation. Plug-in batteries are not permitted, and planning or landlord restrictions may still apply depending on the property and UK nation.
Source:
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero - Govt.UK
See less "

  • 450W panels are now commodity items. And 500W ones are available. That will be for a standard size panel. Small ones, or the lightweight flexible panels, produce less.

    Balcony solar kits usually come with 2 panels, so maybe 900Wp, capped to 800W by the inverter. If you're feeling keen, you could connect 4 panels, and maybe point them in different directions so you get the full 800W for most of the day.

  • in reply to Simon Barker

    Clive, if you are asking is plug in solar a thing - very much so, the new rules allow  upto 2kW of panel (so 4 panels of ~2x1m each) into an inverter clipping at 800W (as the UK very rarely is in full sun - so you can get the full 800 for more than a midday) plug into any normal socket, and notify your DNO after commissioning. Only approved kits at the moment, and no provision for batteries to plug in, but that is expected by many better connected than I am to be allowed within the year. 
    Mike

  • in reply to mapj1

    Typical 500W plus panels like these   are about £100 each inc VAT (but expensive to deliver so worth buying a few at a time) 

    Smaller lower wattage ones are also available.
    Mike

  • For clarity, the 'upto 2000W DC' from the solar PV modules / panels would be from multiple panels as the highest power panels currently available top out at around 650W with 500W now being typical.  

    Most of the plug-in inverters have dual DC inputs, so can connect two panels directly and some kits I've seen such as Ecoflow, are listing a 1000W DC kit with 4 off, smaller 250W panels to hit the 1000W figure.

    These panels are now getting seriously big, a 650W panel is 2.3m high and 1.1m wide, weighing 32kg so the manual handling becomes an issue, particularly for DIY type installation.

Community Rules & Guidelines