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- Argos, Screwfix, City Plumbing and Very were selling compliant kits by mid-September 2026; B&Q, Currys and Wickes were expected to follow.
- Octopus Energy sells kits directly: £450 for one panel, £650 for two.
- Marketplace listings may include non-compliant European kits with Schuko plugs; avoid them.
- Buy a model listed on the ENA Type Test Register, from a retailer that states compliance with the Interim Product Specification and offers a clear return policy.
In this article
High-street retailers
By 14 September 2026, Argos and Very listed the UKSOL 515 W Pro Compact at £599, Very had the two-panel UKSOL 890 W at £999, Screwfix sold a PowerXpress 800 W kit at £669, and City Plumbing listed a Jinko 940 W kit with a Hoymiles inverter at £432 and a UKSOL Pro Duo at about £952. B&Q, Currys, Wickes, Lidl and Sainsbury’s were expected to add ranges.
Pros: easy returns, clear compliance statements. Cons: limited choice at first.
Energy suppliers
Octopus Energy offers plug-in kits at £450 (one 460 W panel) and £650 (two panels). Energy suppliers can bundle a kit with tariffs and may be first to offer export payments if Ofgem simplifies the Smart Export Guarantee route. See Octopus
Manufacturers direct
EcoFlow and Anker sell balcony batteries in the UK. Check whether a UK-compliant plug-in version is offered and whether the battery itself is covered by the new rules (plug-in batteries in the UK). EcoFlow UK
Marketplaces
Amazon and eBay list hundreds of balcony kits, many designed for Germany. Warning signs:
- Schuko (European) plug, or a UK adapter in the box.
- No mention of the Interim Product Specification.
- Inverter output above 800 W.
- Seller based overseas with no UK returns address.
Browse Amazon UK (filter for UK-compliant kits)
Checklist before paying
- Compliance statement for the Interim Product Specification.
- 800 W AC maximum.
- UK plug fitted by the manufacturer.
- Returns policy and UK warranty contact.
- Mounting hardware suitable for your balcony, wall or garden.
Compare kits in best plug-in solar kits in the UK.
How to check a kit on the ENA register
Compliant plug-in devices are listed in a dedicated category on the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Type Test Register. The Energy Saving Trust recommends checking the exact model there before you buy. The steps:
- Note the exact model number of the kit or inverter from the listing or spec sheet.
- Search the ENA Type Test Register for the manufacturer and model.
- Check that the entry is marked as compliant and that the rated output matches the product (800 W or less).
- Keep a screenshot of the entry with your receipt.
Listings changed quickly during the launch weeks: some models were added, and some entries were still waiting for their test evidence to be accepted. If a retailer cannot point you to the register entry, choose another product.
After you buy: what the Energy Saving Trust says to check
- Plug directly into a mains socket, without extension leads or adaptors.
- Use a socket on a circuit without lighting or hardwired appliances such as a boiler or cooker.
- Look for RCD, RCBO or MCB devices in your consumer unit; old rewireable fuses are a reason to call an electrician.
- Get permission first if you rent or are a leaseholder, and check with your insurer.
- Register the device after installation, as your kit’s instructions describe.
For what a kit will save, see UK savings with the 2026 price cap.
Frequently asked questions
Can I return a kit if my landlord says no?
Buying online gives you statutory cancellation rights in most cases; high-street retailers have their own policies. Ask your landlord before you buy to avoid the hassle.
Are energy supplier kits tied to a tariff?
Check the terms. Some offers may be linked to a tariff or bundle; the kit itself should work regardless of supplier.
Will prices drop?
The government expects prices to settle around £400-600 as more products arrive. Early buyers pay a premium for getting started sooner.
Sources
- Where to buy plug-in solar panels (14 Sept 2026), Ideal Home.
- ENA Type Test Register, Energy Networks Association.
- Plug-in solar: regulatory amendment and interim product specification, GOV.UK (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero).
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), Ofgem.
Sources checked in September 2026. Laws, prices and product details change; if you spot something out of date, tell us.