Let's get your Plug-in Solar up and running
Ready, set, solar!
From getting ready for your delivery day and preparing for installation, to what to expect during install, registering your system and getting set up to export your energy, here’s everything you need to get your Plug-in Solar up and running.
Delivery info
When will your plug-in solar set up arrive?
You’ll receive a call from our delivery partner City Plumbing Supplies (CPS) to arrange a delivery date that works best for you.
Plug-in Solar bundles will be delivered throughout October and November.
Ordered BEFORE 11 September? Your bundle is expected to arrive by end of September and mid October.
Ordered FROM 11 September onwards? Your bundle is expected to arrive end of October/mid November.
Ordered AFTER 28 September? Your bundle is expected to arrive by the end of November.
What to expect on delivery day
Someone needs to be home: Your full order will arrive in one delivery, so please make sure someone is available to receive it.
Have a helping hand: Each panel weighs around 22kg, so we recommend having someone help you safely move and unpack your panels.
Make sure there’s space and clear access: Your order arrives on a pallet (approx. 1.8m × 1m × 1.2m). Make sure there’s a clear path from the street to your delivery area.
Kerbside delivery: Our delivery team will bring your order to your doorstep, but they won’t unpack, assemble or install it. You’ll need to arrange installation yourself, with full guidance provided.
Important to know
Ground mount: The pallet weighs approximately 90kg for a one-panel bundle or 112kg for a two-panel bundle, including the panels and ground-mount equipment.
Wall mount: The pallet weighs approximately 64kg for a one-panel bundle or 86kg for a two-panel bundle, including the panels, mounting equipment and pallet.
Before we get started — safety information
For a safe installation, please follow all instructions and guidance:
Two people: The equipment needs two people to safely move and install it
Wear safety glasses
Wear ear defenders when using power tools
Keep children and animals away from the installation area
Don’t walk, stand or sit on any equipment supplied with your kit
Watch out for hot equipment: The panels and inverter can become hot when operating — don’t touch them while they’re hot
Installation guides
Ground mount install
Our ground mounts are designed to sit securely on flat, solid ground in your garden or on a terrace, using heavy-duty weights like bricks, gravel or sand to keep them locked down tight.
What's in your kit
JA solar 460W solar panel(s)
1x Microinverter
1x 5m cable with 3 pin plug
Ground mounts
Consumer unit label
Sticker directing you to this set-up page
What tools you'll need to get started
6mm allen key
10mm socket wrench
A flathead or cross head screw-driver
100kg of weight per mount (bricks, gravel, sand bags)
Weighing down the ground mount
You’ll need to add weight to the mounts to keep them securely in place. This could be bricks, paving slabs, sandbags or another suitable heavy material.
How to position your panels
Two panels can only be ground mounted side by side using the 3 ground mounts provided — 1 at either end and 1 in the middle, supporting both panels.
Hold up: Shed Roofs and outbuilding are a no-go
We strongly advise against putting these on shed roofs or outbuildings — mostly because the weight involved is no joke between the 22kg panels, mounts, weights and 3.4kg inverter.
If your only option is a shed or flat roof, you must have a structural engineer inspect and sign it off before starting.
Ground mounting checklist
Otherwise, tick these off before you set up on the grass or patio:
Solid ground: Stick to flat, level, sturdy ground that can handle the total weight without sinking over time
Clearance & space: Make sure you’ve got plenty of room for the panels, plus clear, safe access around them
Firm & secure: Make sure your ballast (gravel, paving slabs, or ballast tubs) is weighted properly so your setup doesn’t take flight in a sudden November gale
Safe positioning: Keep everything clear of main pathways so it won’t get bumped into by curious pets, roaming kids, or reversing cars
Power access: You’ll plug your system directly into a suitable weatherproof outdoor socket (make sure it's within 5m and in good working condition as the cable needs to reach comfortably without stretching, yanked joints, or extension leads — strictly no extension leads!)
Here's the step-by-step process of how to install your plug-in solar panels with a ground mount
Wall mount install
Our wall mounts are designed to sit on a suitable outside brick wall. It’s a bit trickier to install than the ground mount, so you’ll need a few extra tools — and a friend or two.
What's in your kit
JA solar 460W solar panel(s)
1x Microinverter
1x 5m cable with 3 pin plug
Wall mounts (brackets)
End clamps
Self-tapping screws
Wall plugs
Consumer unit label
Sticker directing you to this set-up page
What tools you'll need to get started
A ladder
A drill
A spirit level
Extra muscles
Putting up the wall mount
If you're ever in doubt about your wall's strength, get a qualified structural engineer to take a look before you start drilling.
How to position your panels
The panels can be installed both portrait or landscape.
Portrait: 2 brackets at the top and bottom, with 1 bracket on each long side.
Landscape: 3 brackets along the top and 3 along the bottom.
Hold up: Check your wall material first
Our wall mounts love brick and solid masonry, but they aren't suitable for wooden fences, gates, walls, or balconies.
Wall mounting checklist
Before you drill, tick these off:
Solid structure: Make sure your wall is rock-solid and up to the job of holding the full weight of the panels and mounting gear
Clearance & space: Measure up to make sure your panels won't block any doors, windows, cables or walkways
Safe drilling: Always scan the wall for hidden pipes and live electrical cables before making any holes
Firm & secure: Double-check every single bolt — everything needs to be locked down tight so nothing shifts or sags over time
Power access: You’ll plug your system directly into a suitable weatherproof outdoor socket (make sure it's within 5m and in good working condition as the cable needs to reach comfortably without stretching, yanked joints, or extension leads — strictly no extension leads!)
Here's the step-by-step guide of how to install your plug-in solar panels with a wall mount
After installation
Get your Plug-in Solar up and running
Once you’ve connected the microinverter to your panel using the connection cables, you’ll see a red flashing light on the microinverter. This means it’s receiving sunlight and ready to generate.
Now let’s get everything connected so you can see your generation in the apps.
Download the FoxCloud 2.0 app from your app store.
Create an account and select Owner Registration.
Once registered, select Add Device — your device is the micro-inverter.
Add your micro-inverter to the app.
Once your device is registered, connect it to your Wi-Fi.
NOTE: Seeing “Faulty” at this stage is normal — it just means the panels aren’t connected to your home’s electricity yet.Plug your panels into your outdoor, weatherproof socket — the status in FoxCloud 2.0 should now change from Faulty to Normal.
Open the Octopus Energy app (if not have it you need to download) and go to Devices.
Select Add device, then Choose Battery and Solar, followed by FoxESS.
Select Accept and Continue, then Authorise and confirm — your solar generation should now start appearing in the Octopus app.
Apply the supplied sticker to your consumer unit (fuse box) as required.
Register your device at myplugin.solar — you can only complete this registration once you have your Plug-in Solar system. Here is your Octopus code: OCTOQ/21124/V1/A5.
Ready to export
Reminder on export for Plug-in Solar
Plug-in Solar is designed to help cover your baseline daytime energy use – the electricity your home uses in the background, like your fridge, Wi-Fi, TV, lights and laptop.
The idea is to use the energy your panels generate instead of buying as much electricity from the grid. This can help reduce your electricity bill over the year, but the savings are likely to be relatively small and build up gradually.
If your panels generate more electricity than your home is using at that moment, the extra will be sent back to the grid and you can get paid for it.
Only Octopus Energy customers who’ve bought a Plug-in Solar bundle from us can export their excess energy through our smart export tariffs
There is no additional charge to join an export tariff for your Octopus Energy Plug-in Solar bundle
Once you've completed the steps below, it can take around 6 weeks to get exporting
If you're an Octopus Energy customer who's bought your plug-in solar panels through us, you can start your export application now by following these steps:
Application Process (a few days)
Your application is processed by Octopus Energy and we apply to the DNO for an export MPAN (An MPAN is a unique number for the electricity meter in your property and when export is set up for the first time, a new MPAN must be requested from the Distribution Network Operator).
DNO creates your MPAN (around 4 weeks)
The DNO will set up your new export MPAN as quickly as they can (but unfortunately we don't have any control over this step in the process and won't be able to speed it up).
Your MPAN is enrolled (a week or so)
Your new export MPAN is then enrolled onto your Octopus account and you'll receive an email asking you for a first meter reading.
We connect to your smart meter
Once connected to your meter we'll start pulling your export consumption and you can begin enjoying your earnings without lifting a finger.
That all sound groovy? If so, start your application by filling in a few details here.