Solar power without the rooftop with Octopus Energy Plug-in solar bundles

1. Install them yourself an outdoor wall, in your garden, or on your shed roof and then plug them into an outdoor 3-pin plug socket

   
   

2. When the sun hits the panel, it creates DC electricity which is then converted by the micro-inverter (included in our bundle) into AC electricity, which your home can actually use

   
   

3. The power flows through your wall socket and into your home's circuits, helping power your home, meaning you don't need to pay for as much energy from the grid

   
   

4. If you set yourself up with an Octopus export tariff and your panels generate more power than your home is using, you could earn a little bit extra from us for the extra electricity.

Rooftop solar is fab, but isn’t accessible to a number of people in the UK. Plug-in solar is a game-changer for:

• Renters & flats: Perfect for south-facing balconies, terraces, or patios.

  
  

• Installing them yourself: Got a sunny shed roof or a small garden? Pop them up yourself in an afternoon, no engineer needed.

  
  

• When you move house: Because they just unplug, you can pack them down and take them with you.

At Octopus we're currently offering two bundles that are plug and play with everything you needed to get started.

• Single panel bundle £450

• Dual panel bundle £650
  including VAT & curb-side delivery

They include:

• 1 or 2 solar panels

• Microinverter

• Wall or floor mount

• 5 meter cable with 3 pin plug

  
  

For Octopus Energy customers you'll be able to monitor generation in the app too.

Head here to see our products

This is where it get's a bit complicated because it really depends on your set up, your usage and how much sun your get!

Two panels will of course generate double what a single panel will and the more sunny it is, the more energy you'll generate. However the biggest influence on your savings is how much you can use electricity while the panels are generating, during sunlight hours.

We've made some assumptions based on an optimal set up, south facing positioning and utilising as much of the sunlight by the household as possible, plus any possible export earnings.

We estimate savings could be anywhere from £50 - £150 a year. Once plug-in batteries launch next year, this saving potential will grow

Each solar panel is approximately 1.8m x 1.1m, so you'll need enough suitable outdoor space for one or two panels, depending on the bundle you choose.

That could make plug-in solar a good option for flats, rented homes or smaller spaces — as long as you've got somewhere suitable to safely install the panels.

We're also working on more compact panels for homes where space is tight.

Want to hear about our upcoming compact solar and home battery products? Sign up here and we'll drop you a line when they're ready early next year.

Everything you need to set up your plug-in solar system is included in your bundle. Depending on where and how you install your panels, you may need a few extra bits.

Using the floor mount? You’ll need something heavy, like gravel or bricks, to help keep it securely in place.

Wall mounting your panels? You'll need the right tools and fixings for the surface you're attaching the mount to.

Always follow the installation instructions and make sure your chosen spot and fixings can safely support the panels.

It depends on where you're putting your panels and whether you've chosen one or two.

There's no roof installation, scaffolding or full solar survey involved, so it should be much simpler than installing traditional rooftop solar.

Just make sure you give yourself enough time to mount everything securely and follow the installation instructions carefully.

No. Plug-in solar systems under 800W can be self-installed without an electrician.

Once your panels and micro-inverter are safely installed, plug the included 5-metre cable directly into a suitable weatherproof, exterior-rated 13A socket.

Don't use an extension lead. If you're not sure whether your home's electrics or outdoor socket are suitable, speak to a qualified electrician before you get started.

Not all UK fuse boxes are suitable and should be checked, find more advice on the official electrical safety website.

No. Plug-in solar won't power your whole home.

Instead, it can help cover some of the electricity you're using during the day. Think of everyday background electricity use, like your fridge, Wi-Fi router, TV, lamps and devices on standby, while the sun is shining.

It's not designed to run lots of high-power appliances at once, such as electric showers, ovens or EV chargers.

Yes. Your panels will still generate electricity on cloudy days and throughout winter, but they'll generally produce less than they would in bright, direct sunshine.

How much you generate will depend on things like cloud cover, daylight hours and the strength of the sun.

You'll typically generate more electricity in spring and summer, when the days are longer and sunnier.

Yes. The kit is designed for outdoor use when installed correctly.

Your panels and electrical equipment need to be securely installed according to the instructions and connected directly to a suitable weatherproof, exterior-rated socket.

Don't use an extension lead or run the cable through a window or door.

If the grid goes down, your system will automatically stop supplying electricity.

This is an important safety feature that stops electricity being fed back into the network while engineers may be working to restore power.

Your plug-in solar system isn't designed to provide backup power during a power cut.

No. When there's no sunlight, your panels simply stop generating electricity.

There's no need to switch the system off every evening.

Yes. Plug-in solar systems are limited to a maximum of 800W.

Our bundles are designed to stay within this limit, so don't combine multiple plug-in solar systems if doing so would take your property over 800W.

If you want to generate significantly more electricity, a traditional rooftop solar system could be a better fit.

Not all fuse boxes are created equal, so you should check out the electrical safety advice here if you're unsure about yours

Yes. You'll need to notify your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) about your plug-in solar installation.

Your DNO manages the local electricity network. Letting them know about your installation helps them keep the network safe and properly managed.

G98 is the process used to notify your local electricity network about certain small-scale electricity generators connected to your home.

Plug-in solar is a form of small-scale generation, so the relevant G98 notification requirements apply.

We'll give you guidance on what you need to do as part of setting up your system.

Yes. The products will have the relevant ENA certification in place before delivery. You’ll also need to notify your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) about your installation. You can register your device through the ENA portal.

If you can’t find your device by entering the manufacturer, model or device name, it may still be undergoing assessment. Please check the list again after a few days before submitting your registration.