Plug-in solar kits hit UK stores as installations surge in 2026

Solar growth in the United Kingdom accelerated in 2026, topping nearly 172,000 installations across homes, businesses and large projects, according to government figures. July was the third-largest month on record, with almost 28,000 systems completed, while March and June recorded higher totals. The recent introduction of cheaper plug-in solar kits, now available at retailers including Argos, Currys, B&Q, Screwfix and Amazon, follows a regulatory shift that permits their sale.

Joanna Oloan, Knowledge Manager at the Energy Saving Trust, attributes the surge to rising electricity costs and increased household electrification, such as remote work and electric vehicles. Rooftop panels still represent the bulk of new installs, but plug-in units, priced around £450 and delivering roughly 800 watts, aim to reach households lacking suitable roof space. Savings from a typical plug-in are modest, estimated at about £100 per year in a sunny location, implying a payback period of roughly four years.