What you get
- An approved kit with panel, small inverter, frame and cable. The Energy Saving Trust says kits cost from about £450.
- A saving of about £70 to £100 a year (Energy Saving Trust), and up to £110 (GOV.UK).
- We point you only to kits that meet the government specification.
- Help registering it with your network operator, UK Power Networks.
The rules, kept simple
- Only kits that meet the specification are legal. Cheaper unapproved kits sold online fall outside it.
- Up to 800W, and one device per household under current network rules.
- Register it before you use it.
- Renters and flat owners need permission from the landlord or freeholder.
- It plugs in and is not wired into the fuse board. For that, choose a full installation.
Wood is out: balconies, walls and fences. From 27 August 2026 the planning order says plug-in solar is not permitted development on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, on any timber-clad part of a house, or on a wooden fence, gate or wall. Many seafront flats have a timber balcony or a wooden fence round the garden, so this matters. A frame on a patio or a hard surface is the usual answer, and a conservation area or listed building needs a check first. Read the garden-solar limits.
Where it works
A south or west facing patch of garden, yard or terrace with a few hours of sun and no tree shade. About 11% of households across six Herne Bay wards live in purpose-built flats, and 23% in the Heron ward (Census 2021, our sum). Many of those have a shared roof, so a plug-in kit in a communal garden or on a suitable balcony may be the way to start, with the freeholder's agreement.
Want more than a plug-in kit? A roof system makes five to ten times the power, can qualify for export payments and can take a battery. See solar only or solar and battery. Roof installs are delivered with our MCS-certified installation partner.
Plug-in solar questions
Is plug-in solar legal in the UK?
Yes in Great Britain, from 27 August 2026, for kits that meet the government's specification. GOV.UK announced it on 26 August 2026. Northern Ireland is not covered yet.
How much power can a plug-in kit make?
A kit is limited to 800W. GOV.UK says that is enough for up to 20% of an average home's electricity use and a saving of up to £110 a year. The Energy Saving Trust puts savings at £70 to £100.
Do I have to register it?
Yes. The Energy Saving Trust says you are legally required to register before use on the UK Plug-in Solar Registration website, which tells the network operator (UK Power Networks). We help you do it.
Can I fix it to a wooden balcony, wall or fence?
Not under the national permission. The planning order in force from 27 August 2026 says plug-in solar is not permitted development on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, on any timber-clad part of a house, or on a wooden fence, gate or wall. Ask the council if you want to try.
Can I add a battery to a plug-in kit?
No. The Energy Saving Trust says plug-in panels with integrated battery storage are not covered by the current regulations. For a battery, see our solar and battery page.
I rent. Can I use one?
Get written permission from your landlord, building owner or freeholder first.
Can I get export payments?
Not normally. Most suppliers need an MCS certificate for the Smart Export Guarantee, and plug-in kits do not have one.
Sources: GOV.UK, 26 August 2026; Energy Saving Trust, updated 1 October 2026; legislation.gov.uk, SI 2026/896. Last reviewed 7 October 2026.
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