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.
Solar generation equipment is safe when installed correctly and hazardous when improvised. Work through this list before you switch anything on.
Electrical
- Connection made by a qualified electrician to a dedicated point, not a 13A socket
- Microinverter certified to G98 with anti-islanding protection so it shuts down in a power cut
- RCD protection on the circuit
- Cables IP-rated, UV-resistant and secured, never trailing through a window
- Network operator notified
Mechanical
- Mounting hardware rated for the panel weight and local wind loading
- Fixings into structure, not cladding or decorative rail infill
- Nothing overhanging a public footpath or a neighbour property boundary
- Seasonal check of bolts, clamps and cable ties
Fire and general
- Keep the inverter ventilated and out of direct rain
- No combustible material stacked against panels or inverter
- Tell your home insurer; most treat it as a notifiable alteration
- Keep documentation and the electrician certificate together
In a power cut
A G98-compliant microinverter disconnects automatically so the system cannot energise a dead network. This protects utility workers and is a mandatory feature — never bypass it.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Fact-check status: reviewed. Read our editorial policy. General information only — not electrical, legal or financial advice.