Buying guide · Retailers & brands
Where can you buy plug-in solar panels in the UK?
You can buy plug-in solar panels in Great Britain from specialist retailers such as SocketPower — we sell our own range — and from brands like EcoFlow that market plug-and-play solar systems in the UK. Government has publicly named large retailers including Lidl, B&Q, Currys and Amazon as engaged in bringing plug-in solar to UK homes, but engagement is not the same as a compliant product being on the shelf today.
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026
- Specialist retailers
- Buying now
- Named by government
- Lidl, B&Q, Currys, Amazon
- Framework covers
- Solar PV without batteries
- Our range from
- £599
Where plug-in solar panels are sold in Great Britain
| Seller | What is established | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| SocketPower (us) | Four solar-only complete kits published, from £599 RRP, range launching 27 August 2026, G98 notification handling included | Our specifications, kit contents and terms — read them the same way you would read anyone else's |
| EcoFlow | Markets STREAM plug-and-play solar products in the UK, alongside separate battery products | Whether the bundle is solar-only, the AC apparent output, and Great Britain documentation |
| Lidl GB | Named by government as supporting the introduction of plug-in solar; no product we can cite | Whether an official Lidl GB listing actually exists before believing a spec or price |
| B&Q, Currys, Amazon | Named by government among retailers joining plans to bring plug-in solar to UK homes | Live listings, and whether an item is a complete compliant device or loose parts |
Being named in the government's June 2026 announcement(opens in a new tab) tells you a retailer is engaged with the rollout. It does not tell you a compliant product is in stock, what it costs, or when it arrives. More detail on the retailer picture is in our Lidl plug-in solar tracker and our EcoFlow STREAM comparison.
Before you buy plug-in solar panels
Run this checklist against any seller
- It is a complete matched device, supplied as one product, not a collection of parts you assemble from different sources.
- Inverter apparent output is no more than 800 VA — ask for the VA figure, not just panel watts.
- It is solar PV without batteries; plug-in battery and battery-integrated devices sit outside this framework.
- The BS 1363 fused plug and lead are supplied by the manufacturer as part of the device.
- No extension lead, reel, multiway adaptor or travel adaptor is involved in the connection.
- You know who submits the G98 notification to your Distribution Network Operator, and whether it is included.
- Your intended socket, circuit protection and mounting position are actually suitable — and permission is in place if you rent or lease.
- Warranty terms, who honours them and how UK support is reached are all clear before you pay.
Do not buy on panel wattage alone
Headline panel wattage is the easiest number to compare and the least useful on its own. Every compliant device shares the same AC ceiling, so a bigger array does not raise the peak that reaches your home — it changes how often the inverter sits at that ceiling and how the kit behaves in weaker light, with diminishing returns as the array grows.
Compare the whole package instead: panel count and capacity, mounting hardware for your position, what is in the box, notification handling, warranty, support and total cost. Why the limit is 800 VA and not panel watts explains the mechanism, and our buyer's guide sets out how to choose between kits.
Buy now, or wait for more retailers?
Wait if…
You are not in a hurry, you want to see several compliant products side by side, and you would rather buy in a more competitive market than a new one. There is no penalty for waiting other than the generation you forgo.
Buy now if…
You have a suitable position, a suitable socket, and a documented compliant kit that fits your budget. Most large retailers have not published dates, so “waiting” has no defined end. Model the cost of delay in the savings calculator.
Buying questions
Sources
- More families to benefit from lower bills through plug-in panels (16 June 2026)(opens in a new tab) — GOV.UK / DESNZ
- Plug-in solar: consultation outcome (last updated 16 July 2026)(opens in a new tab) — GOV.UK / DESNZ
- Plug-in solar: electrical safety study (16 June 2026)(opens in a new tab) — GOV.UK / DESNZ
- Final Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification(opens in a new tab) — DESNZ (PDF)
- EcoFlow UK store — STREAM Plug & Play Solar System(opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow UK store
Keep reading
Guide
Is plug-in solar legal?
The definitive guide to the plug-in solar framework in Great Britain from 27 August 2026: the 800 VA limit, the interim product specification, one device per household, G98, permissions and Northern Ireland.
Guide
800 VA explained
Why the plug-in solar limit is 800 VA of AC apparent power and not panel watts, why kits carry 515 W to 1,260 W of panels behind a 799 VA microinverter, and what clipping actually costs you.
Guide
Find my DNO
Enter a postcode to find the Distribution Network Operator for your area in Great Britain, why plug-in solar needs a G98 notification to them, and how SocketPower handles it for you.
Editorial note · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Written and reviewed by SocketPower, a trading name of Storm Renewables Ltd (SC802881). This guide is general information about plug-in solar in Great Britain, not electrical design advice for your property. Always follow the instructions supplied with your product and use a qualified electrician for any work on your fixed wiring.
Plug-in solar in Great Britain: the framework covers single-phase solar PV with a maximum inverter apparent output of 800 VA, and SocketPower devices are limited to 799 VA continuous AC output. Plug-in batteries and battery-integrated devices are outside the framework and are not sold by SocketPower. The current G98 arrangements allow one plug-in solar device per household, and network notification remains required — SocketPower handles the applicable notification for kits bought from us. This framework applies in Great Britain from 27 August 2026 and not in Northern Ireland. Always follow the instructions supplied with your product, check that your socket and circuit are suitable, never use extension leads, multiway adaptors, travel adaptors or plug-in RCD adaptors, and obtain any permissions you need before installing.