Key takeaways
- • Plug-in solar in Great Britain is limited to a maximum output of 800W.
- • Savings depend heavily on how much electricity you use during daylight hours.
- • Permission may be required if you rent, lease or live in a managed building.
There is no single best kit — the right one depends on where you can mount panels, how much daytime electricity you use and what your building allows.
Choose by mounting location
Balcony railings need bracket sets with adjustable clamps and a tilt option. Gardens suit A-frame ground mounts that can be angled to about 35 degrees. Flat roofs need ballasted frames. Sheds and garages take wall brackets. A kit without the right hardware means extra cost and delay.
What separates a good kit from a cheap one
- Microinverter with a documented G98 certificate rather than a generic datasheet
- Panel warranty of at least 10 years product and 25 years performance
- Cabling long enough for a real installation, with proper IP-rated connectors
- Monitoring so you can see whether the system performs as promised
- A UK-based seller who handles returns and warranty claims
Matching output to your use
An 800W system only pays if you consume the output. Households with someone home in the day, a heat pump, an EV charging in daylight or high standby loads get closer to the top of the savings range. If your home is empty 9-5, a smaller 400-600W system often has a better payback.
How we compare kits
We record output, panel count, inverter details, mounting options, warranty, price and compliance evidence in the comparison table, and we recheck prices regularly. Use the filters to narrow by budget, output and mounting type, then compare up to four kits side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Fact-check status: reviewed. Read our editorial policy. General information only — not electrical, legal or financial advice.