Octopus Go and Plug-In Solar: How to Get the Most From Both

by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | Buying Guide, Costs and Savings, DIY Solar News

Most people on standard electricity tariffs pay the same rate per unit throughout the day. Time-of-use tariffs work differently: they charge less for electricity used at certain times, typically overnight, and more at peak periods. When combined with a plug-in solar...

Balcony Solar vs Garden Solar: Which Setup Works Better in the UK?

by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | Buying Guide, DIY Solar News, Getting Started

One of the advantages of plug-in solar over rooftop systems is flexibility. You are not limited to wherever your roof happens to face. Panels can go on a balcony railing, a garden fence, a shed roof, a wall bracket or a ground-mounted frame. Each option produces...

BSI Product Standard for Plug-In Solar: What to Expect in July 2026

by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | DIY Solar News, Rules and Regulations

The wiring regulations for plug-in solar in the UK were updated on 15 April 2026 through BS 7671 Amendment 4. That dealt with the installation side: how the system connects to a home’s circuits and what the output limits are. What it did not do is define exactly...

Plug-In Solar and Your Consumer Unit: What to Check Before You Buy

by Karl Dyson | May 16, 2026 | DIY Solar News, Getting Started, Rules and Regulations

The vast majority of UK homes can accommodate a plug-in solar system without any electrical work beyond the standard installation steps. But there is one area worth checking before you buy, particularly in older properties: the type of RCD protection in your consumer...

Lidl, Amazon and Iceland Are Selling Plug-In Solar This Summer. What to Expect

by Karl Dyson | May 15, 2026 | Buying Guide, DIY Solar News

When the government announced the legalisation of plug-in solar in March 2026, it named three retailers as partners in the rollout: Lidl, Amazon and Iceland. EcoFlow was confirmed as the technology partner. Since then, the big question has been when exactly these kits...

Can Renters Install Plug-In Solar? Your Rights Explained

by Karl Dyson | May 15, 2026 | DIY Solar News, Renters and Flats, Rules and Regulations

One of the main reasons the government pushed to legalise plug-in solar was renters. Around five million UK homes are flats or rented properties where the occupants have had no practical route to generate their own electricity. Plug-in solar changes that, but knowing...