Make your own clean power

How solar works

Solar panels (solar PV) turn daylight into electricity. An inverter converts it to the type your home uses, and you power your appliances with it for free. Anything you do not use is either stored in a battery or exported to the grid, which you are paid for. Panels generate on daylight, so they work on bright and cloudy days, just more on sunny ones.

Why it is worth it

Prices for panels and batteries have fallen a lot, while electricity is expensive, so a well-designed system pays back strongly and then gives you cheap power for 25 years or more. The savings come mostly from using your own generation, so pairing solar with daytime use, a battery, hot water or EV charging makes it work hardest.

What to look for

• Use before export. The best value is in using your own power, so think about a battery, a hot-water diverter, or shifting use to daytime.
• Roof and shading. South-facing is ideal, but east and west both work well. Watch for shading from trees and chimneys, which hits output.
• A good inverter and battery. These matter as much as the panels. Ask about warranties and monitoring.
• MCS certification. Needed to get paid for export and for consumer protection. Check the vetted installer list.
• A fair export tariff. Make sure you are signed up to a strong Smart Export Guarantee rate. See our good rates guide.

Plug-in solar: how it works and what to look for

Plug-in (or balcony) solar is a small panel that plugs into an ordinary socket and quietly offsets some of your daytime electricity, with no installer needed. It became legal to use in the UK in 2026 under new guidance. It is a cheap, renter-friendly way to dip a toe in.

• Right expectations. It trims daytime use; it will not run your whole home. Best if you are in during the day.
• Safety and rules. Follow the current UK guidance and the maker's instructions. If unsure, ask us.
• Placement. A sunny, unshaded spot facing roughly south makes a real difference.

More detail: Is plug-in solar legal, and will it help your home?

Go deeper

Our full, plain-English guide to home solar in the UK walks through the whole process, and we are always happy to review a quote for free.