u/SolarPowerBumbleBee

These plug-in solar kits from UKSOL briefly appeared on the ENA Type Test Register on Friday, marked as non-compliant. Mysteriously, they seem to have disappeared from the register again today.
But that’s not really the interesting bit. The interesting bit is the pricing.

A few retailers, including City Plumbing, are already listing the kits:

515W UKSOL one-panel kit: £588!!!
https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/uksol-pro-compact-plug-in-solar-kit/p/315632

1,030W UKSOL two-panel kit: £994!!!
https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/uksol-pro-plus-plug-in-solar-kit/p/315634

I really hope this isn’t a taste of things to come when compliant kits actually start appearing on the UK market after 27 August.

Perhaps this is just one small UK supplier being very optimistic with its early pricing. Because when you look at Germany, which is a few years ahead of us in terms of plug-in/balcony solar market maturity, the difference is pretty striking.

In Germany I’m seeing fully compliant kits from major brands at roughly:

910W (2 × 455W panels + microinverter + mounting): €369 / ~£316

1,820W (4 × 455W panels + microinverter + mounting): €600 / ~£514

Obviously Germany has a much larger and more mature market, with far more competition and volume. But even allowing for that, the difference is enormous.

I’d be really interested to know whether Germany went through a similar early phase of massively inflated pricing before competition brought prices down, or whether we’re just witnessing some very optimistic early-adopter pricing here in the UK!

Sure we all know by now that the new compliant route for plug-in solar goes live on 27th August.

All fully compliant kits must be registered on the G98 test register before they can be sold . Checking that register today, zero compliant plug in solar kits have been registered yet.

I think it’s going to be quite a long while yet before we see fully compliant kits on the shelves…

When you think each configuration of each kit needs to be certified, tested and registered… all of that is gonna take a while.

Also seen lots of social posts from people who have gone out and purchased kits in advance, on the false assumption that the kit they purchased will become compliant when the new rules go live (which sadly is not the case).

Sort of feel sorry for the consumer at the moment. It’s a tricky product category to get your head around during this crossover period.

Key takeaways

The new interim specification is now published. The main product rules are settled, although the legal amendments are not yet in force.

Output is capped at 800VA. The inverter cannot supply more than 3.5A to the household circuit.

Approved kits can include up to 2,000W of panels. Up to four panels are permitted, but customers using more than 960W should be advised to consider an electrical assessment.

Self-installation remains possible. An electrician is not mandatory for every household, but older or uncertain electrical installations may need professional assessment or upgrading.

Batteries are excluded. Launch products cannot include or operate with battery storage.

Products are complete approved systems. Arbitrary mixing of panels, inverters, connectors and cables is not supported by the specification.

One device per household still applies for now. The specification permits one per eligible circuit, but that depends on a future G98 amendment. At launch at least - it will be one kit per household.

Not every balcony or wall is suitable. Timber balconies and several cladding types are expressly prohibited.

More details here;

https://www.pluginsolarcalculator.com/guides/uk-plug-in-solar-rules-confirmed