Plug-in solar - Hype or Hero

So what's all the hype with Plug-in Solar?

Plug-in solar is just solar. It has panels, cables, and inverter and it sends "free" electricity to your house for it to use rather than using grid power which you have to pay for. The same for Plug-in batteries. The difference is in the name - Plug-in. Whilst traditional solar or batteries needs an electrician to wire it into your household wiring, Plug-in does what it says on the tin - you just connect it all together and plug it into a power socket. No need for additional wiring or an electrician.

On the surface it sounds like a silver bullet - a reasonably priced set of solar & battery components that can be put together at home and be plugged into a household power socket. When the sun shines it generates free electricity for your house to use automatically. If the system also includes a battery, it can also store electricity (either from solar or cheap rate off peak charging) for later use to meet household demand rather than using peak rate grid consumption. The result, cheaper electricity bills.

Sounds like a no brainer right??

Well before you jump in feet first, have a read and decide if Plug-in is right for you and, if it is, there's a few tips to avoid the pitfalls and some of the social media hype so you get the best out of it.

1. Plug-in Vs DIY - Vs Professionally installed systems - it's not a one size fits all solution. There are pro's, con's and benefits of each type of system
2. Solar and battery terminology - so some will skip this page, but getting the terminology correct is really important. If you don't use the correct terminology, you could end up with a system that won't meet your needs 😲
3. Types of Plug-in system - there are lots of different system types out there, some which are allowed by UK regulations and some which are not. Make sure your clear on what's permitted and what's not or you could end up with a system that not only doesn't meet your needs, but also is illegally connected to the grid 😱
4. So you've decided you want to proceed - After reading all of this, if you've decided plug-in is right for you then there's a few pointers to ensuring you get a properly certified system and it's installed safely. 
5. So how much can it save me - the short answer is your mileage may vary 😂, however a small plug-in solar system would save around 20% of an average 10kwh households bill. 
6. UK regulations - given the risks associated with solar & electrical wiring, there are some specific UK regulations you need to be aware of. This isn't an exhaustive list, but it does give the important basics on what you can and can't do

The pages above primarily focus on Plug-in Solar only. If you're considering Plug-in batteries then have a read of the page on Plug-in Batteries. Please note, the battery page is still a work in progress and is only provided for reference, as plugging in batteries does not meet the UK wiring regulations. 

If you are considering rooftop solar, have a read of my Solar Journey

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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.