by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | DIY Solar News, Getting Started
One of the most common questions people ask before buying a plug-in solar system is whether it will keep their home running if the power goes out. The answer, for a standard panel-only system, is no. Understanding why, and what the alternatives are, is worth doing...
by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | Buying Guide, Costs and Savings, DIY Solar News
The UK plug-in solar market in May 2026 is in an interesting position. The regulations have been updated, kits are available from EcoFlow and specialist retailers, but the BSI product standard has not yet been published and the big retail launches at Lidl, Amazon and...
by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | DIY Solar News, Getting Started
The UK passed two million solar installations in March 2026, according to figures published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It is a milestone that would have seemed ambitious just a few years ago, and the numbers behind it tell an interesting story...
by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | Buying Guide, DIY Solar News
EcoFlow is the government’s named technology partner for the UK plug-in solar rollout, and they make two products that are relevant to UK buyers in 2026: the STREAM and the PowerStream. They are not the same thing, and choosing the wrong one is an easy mistake...
by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | Buying Guide, Costs and Savings, DIY Solar News
A panel-only plug-in solar kit generates electricity when the sun is shining. If you are at home during the day, that is when you use it, and the saving goes straight to your bill. But most people use more electricity in the morning and evening than at midday, which...
by Karl Dyson | May 15, 2026 | DIY Solar News, Getting Started, Rules and Regulations
For years, connecting a solar panel to a standard UK wall socket sat in a regulatory grey area. Technically, the wiring rules did not permit it. That changed on 15 April 2026, when BS 7671 Amendment 4 came into force, creating a legal framework for plug-in solar...
