Best UK plug-in solar kits as prices start from £349.99

After weeks of waiting, and with only a few days of the meteorological summer remaining, plug-in solar finally became a thing in the UK last week.

And the arrival of new legislation that allows people to plug money-saving solar panels directly into household sockets has been something of an anti-climax so far, it's fair to say.

Kits are available right now, so you can order a system online today and have it up and running within moments of it arriving, but prices are not quite what we were expecting.

It had been mooted by industry insiders that we'd soon see the arrival of a sub-£300 solar system when the government finally gave the green light for them to be plugged in, but that hasn't quite happened yet. In fact, quality kits from reputable sources can be costing double that. But, shopping around, there are still some relatively affordable options.

Below we'll take a look at some of the best options on the market right now.

But first: what does a plug-in solar system need?

The elements in a plug-in solar bundle are pretty simple. You'll need at least one solar panel, a microinverter, and some cable.

The solar panels turn sunlight into electricity and the microinverter makes sure that electricity is safe and stable before it enters the household wiring.

The moulded three-pin plug all kits must include has to be plugged in to a fitted UK three-pin socket (not an extension cable) and as soon as you flick the switch, the microinverter kicks into life and any energy you harvest is yours to enjoy, for free.

Hampshire Generators: TSUN 400w bundle - £349.99

This is arguably the cheapest approved system on the market right now, from a reputable supplier that knows plenty about off-grid energy.

The 400w kit has an entry price of £349.99, which a special offer, and the kit normally costs £100 more. There's no mounting kit included, so it's flexible in terms of where it can be secured to.

There is, however, a catch. It's currently sold out. And it's no surprise really, it's a terrific deal.

Fingers crossed it's back in stock soon.

Octopus Energy Single panel 460w plug-in solar bundle - £450

This is a decent deal. Enter your postcode for some reason, and Octopus will give you a price on JA Solar kit with a 460w panel included and a wall or floor mounting kit included too.

This is apparently a "launch price", so we don't know how long it's going to last, and delivery will be at the end of September, a month before the clocks go back, but it's a very good price.

Amazon Modular 340w Solar Unit - £465

Trust Amazon to get in on the act quickly. This Modular Solar kit looks really good for the money.

It's only 340 watts, but it comes with a robust mounting system and it's getting pretty good reviews.

There is also a more beefy 475 watt system on offer, but that's £650. Not exactly great value for money.

Green2Go UKSOL 515w Plug-in Solar kit - £599

This bundle is quite pricey at £599, but it offers 515 watts of power, the most so far. There's no mention of a mounting kit, but one is shown in the picture, so check before you buy.

The inverter included in this one is decent, with app support, and the solar panel is quite compact, but it's not a cheap setup.

Argos UKSOL 515w Pro Compact Plug-in Solar Panel - £599

This looks to be the same product as the one offered by Green2Go, and this one does profess to include a microinverter.

Argos was one of the big names making noises about plug-in solar from an early stage, so it's no surprise to see a bundle listed. Although it is quite expensive, which is a shame.

The interesting thing about buying from Argos, is there might be one in stock at your local store, if not they can get it in ready to collect, and you'll earn a bucket-load of Nectar points.

This is Argos's entry-level kit, and there are more expensive versions available by clicking here, with a lot more power offered, but remember - 800 watts is as much as we're allowed to enjoy through a plug socket in the UK.

City Plumbing UKSol Pro Compact Plug In 460W Solar Kit - £670.80

There's no real reason to recommend this bundle given the price, and that's a shame, because City Plumbing is known among solar enthusiasts as the best place to go for cheap solar panels.

While it's not a bargain, this is a really nice smart setup with a high quality panel. But if you're after a quick return on your investment, perhaps look elsewhere for now.

Will prices come down?

Plug-in solar has only been available for (legal) use for a week or so, and it's fair to say this is the honeymoon period for retailers, with the topic buzzing, demand high, and competition low.

What we need to wait for now is the big boys to get involved. Right from the outset, Lidl threw its hat in the ring as a retailer lining up to sell kits, so just keep your eye on the infamous "middle of Lidl" for a bargain.

That will, hopefully, start some competition and decent £250 systems will be a thing.

Is it worth buying it? How much will I save?

Let's say you invested in a 400w plug-in solar system, and you were able to grab one for, say, £400.

There are so many variables, such as whether the panels face the sun and for how much of the day, and then the time of year, your current electricity tariff, the efficiency of the panels, and even the ambient temperature.

But it's just about possible to eke out a £100 annual saving from 400 watts in a good year, and you usually get a 10 year warranty on your kit. And 400 watts is enough to cover a background load for most homes, so it'll cover general day-to-day use.

A good inverter and a quality solar panel should easily outlast its warranty, but your system would hopefully pay for itself by the end of year four, and then you're quids in for every other year you keep it for.

Even if it only lasts you 15 years, which is pessimistic, that's a healthy return on your investment.

Although, if you're anything like me, you'll have expanded it by then. Getting free energy from the sun is properly addictive.