Plug-in Solar compared to DIY and Professionally installed systems

Firstly, let's discuss the solar elephant in the room. 

At its simplest you would choose plug-in solar for low-cost simplicity, DIY wired solar for savings on labour costs and maximum flexibility/choice, or professionally installed solar for scale, safety and warranty guarantees, and battery storage.

Each has it's pro's, con's and benefits. I have a professionally installed system and it was the right choice for me at the time (see How I chose my home solar and battery system). However I own my own house, have plenty of roof space and could afford the upfront cost. 

Plug-In Solar

Low Cost: Kits cost around £400, making entry affordable
Easy Setup: You mount one or two panels outdoors and plug them directly into a standard wall socket. No electrician required.
Portable: You can easily pack up the system and take it with you if you move.
Limited Power: Output is restricted to roughly 800W, which for most will only cover the baseload loads like your fridge, Wi-Fi, or charging devices.
No Plug-in Batteries: Current rules do not allow modular plug-in batteries, meaning excess daytime energy cannot be easily stored
Panels need mounted & secured: You will need to find a suitable location for your panels and mount them securely on a roof, wall or ground mount. 
Cable lengths and location: You will need cables long enough to run from your panels to the plug in inverter. These cables carry current that can be very dangerous if the cable becomes damaged, so running them along the ground is not really a good idea. 
Limited options to be paid for export: Just about any system will result in excess you can't consume and this goes to the grid. The options for being paid for this if you're installing a Plug-in system are limited (but not zero 😁)

DIY Wired Solar

Labor Savings: Building and wiring a system yourself cuts out installation fees.
Use of second hand kit: You can significantly reduce costs by using readily available second hand equipment
Higher Customization: You choose your own components, inverter sizes, and battery banks to match your specific layout.
Risk and Responsibility: You take full legal and safety responsibility for proper wiring, planning permission and adherence to electrical and safety standards.
No Installation Warranty: Equipment failure or mistakes fall entirely on you, and some rebates or export tariffs exclude self-installed systems. 
VAT: buying kit yourself means you will pay VAT on all equipment you buy new

Professionally Installed Solar

Maximum Scale: Full rooftop arrays can generate enough power for your entire home and potentially an income from excess export
Battery Storage: Integrates with large home batteries to store excess solar energy for use at night or during peak pricing hours, or for those batteries to be charged off-peak 
Safety and Compliance: Certified electricians and solar installers handle the consumer unit connection, ensuring adherence to grid codes and safety regulations.
Warranties and Incentives: Includes workmanship guarantees, equipment warranties, and full eligibility for smart tariffs and export payments
High Initial Cost: Requires a decent upfront investment, although there are a number of funding and grant schemes available to help with the cost

Next Step: Terminology (boring but important 🤣)

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One final note

If this blog has helped and you go on to installing a solar or battery solution, please let me know by leaving a comment and sharing this page as I really like to know I've been able to help. 

If you're considering a move to Octopus to charge your batteries in the darker months, please consider using my referral link below (click on the Octopus) as it will give each of us £50 off our Octopus bill.