Plug-In Solar Panels
for UK Homes
The UK government has confirmed plug-in solar is coming to British shops. Thunder Energy is already here. We are one of the first UK companies installing compact solar systems on balconies, gardens and fences. Our kits are plug-in ready and fully compliant under current UK regulations.
Our Products
Storm Solar Kits
Storm 360W | From £499.99
A compact plug-in solar kit with two lightweight flexible panels and a microinverter. Ideal for smaller balconies, single fence sections or first-time solar users.
2 lightweight flexible panels
Microinverter with app monitoring
Total system weight ~10 kg
Generates up to 320 kWh/year
Mounts on fences, balconies, shed walls
Save up to £80 per year
Storm 710W | From £649.99
Our higher output plug-in solar kit with four flexible panels and a microinverter. Built for homes with more outdoor space or higher daytime electricity usage.
4 lightweight flexible panels
Microinverter with app monitoring
Total system weight ~17 kg
Generates up to 640 kWh/year
Mounts on fences, balconies, shed walls
Save up to £160 per year
Professional Installation | £399.99
Add expert installation to any Thunder Storm kit. We handle panel mounting, electrical connection, G98 DNO notification and system testing across Greater London.
For Storm 360W and 710W kits
Installation by qualified electricians
Fully UK compliant
G98 DNO notification handled for you
Available across Greater London
Understanding Plug-In Solar
How Does Thunder Do It?
Plug-in solar systems are compact solar panel kits designed to mount on balconies, fences, garden walls and other outdoor surfaces. They generate free electricity and feed it into your home, cutting the amount of power you draw from the grid.
Over half a million plug-in solar systems were installed in Germany in 2025. In March 2026, the UK government confirmed it will update regulations to allow plug-in solar in British homes, with products expected in shops from mid-2026.
Important
Plug-in connection via a mains socket is not yet permitted in the UK. The new standards have not yet taken effect. Until they do, all systems must be connected via a fixed electrical installation.
Thunder has been installing compact solar on balconies, fences and garden walls under current UK regulations since before the plug-in announcement. We connect via a fused spur on a dedicated radial circuit, carried out by a qualified electrician. When plug-in standards arrive, our systems transition to socket connection with minimal changes.
Why wait? Thunder systems are generating power on real homes right now. Compliant today, plug-in ready tomorrow.
How We Stack Up
How Thunder Compares
Thunder is the only compact solar brand in the UK that combines plug-in ready hardware with professional installation, UK housing design expertise, and proven real-world projects.
Panel Type | Lightweight flexible (TopCon) | Lightweight flexible (TopCon) | Rigid glass | Rigid glass | Rigid glass |
System Weight | ~17 kg total | ~10 kg total | ~47 kg+ | ~40 kg+ | ~100 kg+ |
Peak Output | 710W | 360W | 800W | 600-800W | 3-4 kW+ |
Microinverter | Hoymiles HMS-800W | Hoymiles HMS-800W | Proprietary | Varies | String inverter |
UK Compliant Installation | Yes (fused spur on dedicated radial circuit) | Yes (fused spur on dedicated radial circuit) | Not yet available for UK installation | Mostly non-compliant | Yes (MCS required) |
Plug-In Ready | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies | No |
Professional Installation (Greater London) | Yes, included | Yes, included | No | No | Yes (separate contractor) |
G98 DNO Notification | Handled for you | Handled for you | Customer responsibility | Customer responsibility | Installer handles |
UK Housing Design Expertise | PVSol-based system design for UK housing stock | PVSol-based system design for UK housing stock | Not available | Not available | Installer dependent |
Real UK Installations | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Full Solar Journey (Kit to Rooftop) | Yes, compact kits and full rooftop installation | Yes, compact kits and full rooftop installation | Compact kits only | Kits only | Rooftop only |
After-Sales Support | UK-based, London HQ | UK-based, London HQ | Global manufacturer | Limited or none | Installer dependent |
Mounting Surfaces | Fence, wall, balcony, shed, garage | Fence, wall, balcony, shed, garage | Rigid surface only | Rigid surface only | Roof only |
Battery Compatible | Yes (Vault) | Yes (Vault) | Yes (EcoFlow) | Limited | Yes |
SAP/EPC Contribution | Yes (proven on real projects) | Yes (proven on real projects) | No | No | Yes |
Kit Price | From £649 | From £499 | From ~£499 | Varies | £7,000-12,000+ |
Kit + Installation (London) | £999 all-in | £499 + £399 install | Not available | Not available | Included in price |
Feature
Thunder Storm 710W
Thunder Storm 360W
EcoFlow PowerStream
Generic Import Kit
Typical Rooftop
Our lightweight flexible panels weigh a third of conventional rigid glass modules, making them practical for fences, walls, balconies and surfaces where heavier systems simply cannot go.
Use Cases
Who Is Plug-In Solar For?
Flat Owners and Leaseholders
You have a balcony or terrace but no access to the building roof. Plug-in solar turns that unused space into a power source without any structural changes to the building.
Renters
No permanent modifications needed. When you move, you take the system with you. No landlord permission issues, no impact on your tenancy.
Homes with Unsuitable Roofs
Old roof, wrong orientation, structural concerns, listed building or shading problems. Mount panels on your garden fence or wall instead and start generating.
First-Time Solar Users
Try solar at low cost before committing to a full rooftop installation. A Storm 360W kit starts from £499 and pays for itself within a few years.
Home Workers
Offset your daytime electricity use with solar power generated right outside your window. Your laptop, monitor and router can run on free energy.
Property Developers
Use compact solar systems to boost SAP compliance on new builds where rooftop capacity is limited. Thunder can support your project with an ad hoc PV design, SAP modelling and installation.
Tried. Loved. Shared.
What Our Customers Say
Join hundreds of happy Thunder customers generating their own clean energy.
CASE STUDY
Balcony Solar in North London
A new residential building in North London needed additional solar capacity to meet SAP compliance requirements. Rooftop space alone was not enough. Thunder designed and installed compact balcony-mounted solar systems across six flats, bringing the building into full compliance. The systems are now live and generating.
Plug-In Solar FAQs
Have questions? We’ve answered the most common ones to help you choose the right balcony solar system.
The UK government announced in March 2026 that it intends to make plug-in solar available in the UK. The wiring regulations (BS 7671) are being updated and a new product standard from BSI is expected around mid-2026. However, until the new standards are formally in place, connecting a solar panel directly to a mains socket is not permitted. Thunder installs all systems via a compliant hardwired connection so you can start generating immediately without waiting for the regulations to change.
Not yet. Under current UK regulations, generation and consumption circuits must remain separable. A direct socket connection is not permitted until the new standards come into effect. Thunder systems are installed via a fused spur on a dedicated radial circuit by a qualified electrician. This is the legal and safe way to use compact solar in the UK today. When plug-in regulations take effect, our systems are designed to transition to socket connection with minimal changes.
The government estimates savings of up to £110 per year from a plug-in solar system. Actual savings depend on your electricity tariff, how much energy you use during daylight hours, and the orientation of your panels. A south-facing Storm 710W system in typical UK conditions can generate up to 640 kWh per year. At current electricity rates of around 25p per kWh, that is approximately £160 worth of electricity. Adding a Vault battery can increase savings further by allowing you to use stored solar energy in the evening.
The UK government has confirmed that plug-in solar systems up to 800W will be covered under the new framework, consistent with the approach used in Germany and other European countries. Both Thunder Storm solar kits (360W and 710W) sit comfortably within this limit. The Hoymiles HMS-800W microinverter included in every Storm kit is designed to cap output at 800W.
Under current UK regulations, yes. All Thunder systems are installed by a qualified electrician via a fused spur connection. The government has indicated that when the new plug-in standards take effect, households may be able to connect systems to a mains socket without an electrician. The exact requirements will depend on the final published standards. Either way, Thunder supports you through the process and handles all paperwork including G98 DNO notification.
Thunder uses lightweight flexible panels that weigh roughly a third of the rigid glass panels used by most imported brands. This makes our systems practical for fences, walls and surfaces that cannot support heavy panels. Beyond the hardware, Thunder offers professional installation across Greater London, handles your G98 DNO notification, provides PV system design based on your specific property, and has completed real solar projects on UK homes. We are also the only compact solar company that offers a full solar journey, from a 360W garden kit all the way to a full MCS-certified rooftop installation, so you can grow your system as your needs change.
Yes. Thunder has completed a project in North London where balcony-mounted solar systems helped a new residential building achieve SAP compliance when rooftop capacity alone was insufficient. Compact solar is relevant not only for bill savings but also for property developers working under the Future Homes Standard, which requires most new homes to include on-site renewable generation from 2028.
Garden fences, balcony railings, shed walls, garage walls, garden walls, and any solid sun-facing exterior surface. Our flexible panels are lightweight and conform to slight curves. They are secured with straps, hooks or screws depending on the surface type. A detailed installation guide is included with every kit.
In most cases, no. Compact solar panels mounted on fences, walls and balconies typically fall within permitted development rights. Restrictions may apply for listed buildings or properties in conservation areas. Check with your local planning authority if you are unsure.
You start generating electricity immediately with a compliant hardwired installation. When plug-in standards take effect, your Thunder system can be converted to a socket connection if you prefer, or you can continue using the existing hardwired setup. Your panels and microinverter remain exactly the same. There is no wasted investment.
Yes. Thunder systems are designed to be portable. The panels are lightweight and mount with straps or brackets that can be removed without damaging the surface. When plug-in regulations are in effect, taking your system to a new home will be as simple as unplugging it.
Unbox the Future of
Home Solar
Thunder on Skillbuilder
Start Generating Solar Power Today
You do not need to wait for plug-in regulations to start saving on your energy bills. Thunder systems are available now, fully compliant, and already generating power on real homes in London. Choose your path:
Option A
Add professional installation to your Storm kit for £399. Kit, electrician, wiring and DNO notification all handled.
Option B
Buy a Storm kit (from £499) and install it yourself.