Your Plug-in Solar Questions, Answered Straight
The questions we get from folk on terraced streets, answered without the waffle.
Will it work on my house?
Will it work on a terraced house with no sunny roof?
That's exactly what it's for. A kit goes on a wall of your house (after a professional assessment) or on the yard floor, so the roof doesn't come into it.
Can it go on my yard wall?
No. On a terrace the yard's back and side walls are usually the boundary with the entry or next door, and boundary walls are off limits for every kit. A wall of your own house only, or a floor frame on the flags.
What about a party wall or the wall we share with next door?
No. Walls shared with a neighbour are ruled out.
Can it go on the back-kitchen roof or a balcony?
No. None of our kits is for a balcony, and roofs and raised spots aren't something we sell for. Use the house wall or the yard floor instead.
I rent. Can I have one?
Ask your landlord first and get the yes in writing before you buy. They can say no. If you're leasehold or in a managed block, ask the freeholder or managing agent.
Does it work in Manchester weather?
Yes. Panels run on daylight, not heat. Our estimate uses the Energy Saving Trust figure for North West England, and the long summer days do most of the work.
Fitting and sockets
Do I need an electrician?
Not to set it up, if you've got a weatherproof outdoor socket within the kit's 4m lead and modern RCD protection. If you haven't, an electrician can fit or check them. Kits over 960W should have a professional check of the electrics either way.
I've got an old fuse box. Is that a problem?
It might be. Plug-in kits need modern RCD protection. Have an electrician look at your fuse box before you plug anything in.
Can I use an extension lead?
No. The kit's own 4m lead goes straight into a weatherproof outdoor socket. No extension leads, cable reels or adaptors.
Who fits it?
You do, with a second pair of hands. We don't offer fitting. A wall install needs a professional assessment first, which is the maker's rule, and you book that yourself.
Do I have to register it?
Yes, free at myplugin.solar before you first use it. That tells Electricity North West, the network operator for Greater Manchester.
Can I have two kits, or add a panel later?
No. It's one plug-in kit per household, sold and registered as it comes. You can't add panels to it later.
Money and savings
How much could I save?
A busy family home with the Max 1260W could save around £180 a year, about £1,760 over 10 years. That assumes a south-facing, unshaded spot, someone in all day and the 26.32p price cap rate. Try your own numbers.
Can I add a battery?
No. Plug-in kits must never be used with a home battery. The savings come from using the power as it's made.
Will I get paid for what I send to the grid?
Don't count on it. Self-installed plug-in kits generally don't qualify for export payments, so our figures only count what your house uses.
How much do the kits cost?
Prices aren't set yet, so every kit shows "Price TBC". Join the list on any kit page and we'll email you when they are.
Delivery, returns and warranty
Where do you deliver?
England, Scotland and Wales, to your front door. Not Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. More on delivery.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. You'll be able to cancel at any time before dispatch for a full refund, and for 14 days after delivery. Our full returns policy goes up when ordering opens.
What's the warranty?
The maker gives 10 years on the panels and the stand. The microinverter has its own maker's warranty, and cables, connectors and accessories are covered for 2 years.
Does it work in a power cut?
No. The kit switches off when the grid goes down, so nobody working on the lines gets a nasty surprise.