Can I Put Balcony Solar Panels in My Garden in the UK?

For years, solar felt like something reserved for big sunny rooftops and long term commitments. But things have changed. If you’ve got a garden, a fence, or even a garage wall, solar is no longer off the table. It might actually fit your space rather neatly.

So, can you put solar panels in your garden in the UK? Short answer: yes. Slightly longer answer: there’s a smarter way to do it.

What Is Balcony Solar and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

Despite the name, balcony solar is not just for balconies anymore.

Balcony solar panels are lightweight, compact solar panels designed for small spaces. Think flats, apartments, and places where a full rooftop system simply is not practical. Instead of heavy frames and scaffolding, these systems rely on slim panels and a microinverter to feed power directly into your home.

In the UK, balcony solar panels are connected via a radial circuit using a fused spur, rather than a simple plug. This keeps things safe, compliant, and aligned with how UK homes are wired. Once installed, the system quietly reduces the amount of electricity you pull from the grid during the day.

The clever bit is this. Because balcony solar panels are so light and modular, they work brilliantly beyond balconies. Fences, garage walls, garden structures and even shed sides suddenly become useful solar real estate. That is where balcony solar really earns its name as a flexible solution rather than a location specific one.

Can I Install Solar Panels in My Garden Instead?

Yes, and for many UK homes, a garden is actually the better option.

Traditional solar panels are heavy. They are built for rooftops, bolted into place, and designed as permanent installations. Balcony solar panels flip that idea on its head. They are designed to hang, mount, and adapt.

A typical setup like Thunder’s Storm 710W kit uses four lightweight panels paired with a microinverter. Instead of sitting on the ground like an industrial array, the panels are mounted vertically on a garden fence or fixed neatly to a garage wall. Clean, discreet, and space efficient.

From there, the system connects into your home’s electrical supply via a fused spur on a radial circuit. This is important in the UK, where hard wired connections are the norm for grid connected solar. Once commissioned, a simple G98 notification is submitted to your local DNO. It is quick, straightforward, and very standard for small scale solar.

The result is solar power without digging up the garden or turning it into a construction site. Just a smart, compact system quietly doing its job in the background.

Are Balcony Solar Panels Legal in the UK?

This is the question everyone asks, and rightly so.

Yes, balcony solar panels are legal in the UK when installed correctly. They fall under small scale microgeneration systems, which are widely used across the country.

In most cases, you do not need planning permission for balcony solar panels or garden mounted systems. This is especially true when panels are mounted on fences or walls rather than on the ground. Flats and apartments can also use balcony solar panels, provided the installation is secure and compliant.

Because these systems connect to the grid, a G98 notification is required after installation. This simply tells your local Distribution Network Operator that a small generator is connected to the network. It is quick, routine, and very common.

The key point is how the system connects. In the UK, balcony solar installation is typically hard wired via a fused spur on a radial circuit. This keeps things safe and aligns with UK electrical standards. It is not about shortcuts. It is about doing small scale solar properly.

Are Balcony Solar Panels Actually Worth It?

This is where expectations need to be realistic. Balcony solar panels will not power your entire home. They are not meant to. What they do very well is reduce your daytime electricity usage consistently. Fridges, broadband routers, home offices, and background loads quietly sip power all day. Balcony solar covers a surprising amount of that.

Because the upfront cost is much lower than rooftop solar, the return often feels faster. You see the benefit on your bills without committing to a massive installation. For renters, flat owners, and people who simply do not want scaffolding on their home, that matters.

So are balcony solar panels worth it? For many UK households, yes. Especially if you value flexibility, simplicity, and steady savings over grand gestures.

It is not about replacing the grid. It is about relying on it a little less.

Using Balcony Solar in Flats, Apartments and Small Gardens

One of the biggest strengths of balcony solar is how adaptable it is.

Apartment balconies are the obvious use case. Solar panels on an apartment balcony can be mounted to railings or walls without permanent structural changes. Ground floor flats with gardens often have even more options, using fences or outbuildings.

Small gardens benefit most. Instead of sacrificing lawn space, panels are mounted vertically where space is already underused. And because the panels are lightweight, they do not feel like an industrial installation dropped into a domestic setting.

If you move house, your balcony solar system can move with you. That alone makes them appealing to renters and early adopters who want control over their energy use without being locked in.

Conclusion

Solar in the UK no longer starts and ends with rooftops. Gardens, balconies and small outdoor spaces have quietly become part of the conversation.

Balcony solar panels make that shift possible. Lightweight panels, microinverters and compliant UK wiring turn fences and walls into useful energy sources. No scaffolding. No drama. Just sensible solar for real homes.

If you are curious about solar panels for your garden or apartment balcony, compact systems like Thunder’s are a good place to start.

Solar does not need to be complicated to be effective. Sometimes, small clever changes make the biggest difference.

FAQs

1. Can I put solar panels in my garden in the UK?

   Yes. Garden mounted solar panels are allowed and often ideal when using lightweight balcony solar systems.

2. Are balcony solar panels worth it for small spaces?

   For many homes, yes. They reduce daily electricity usage without the cost of rooftop solar.

3. Do I need planning permission for garden solar panels?

   Usually no, especially for fence or wall mounted systems.

4. Can I install solar panels on an apartment balcony?

   Yes, provided they are securely mounted and installed in line with UK electrical standards.

5. Is balcony solar safe for the UK grid?

   Yes. When installed via a fused spur and registered with a G98 notification, it is fully compliant.