You may have seen plug-in solar panels being advertised online as an easy way to generate some of your own electricity at home. Unlike traditional solar systems that are fixed to a roof and professionally connected to your consumer unit, these small plug-in solar systems will plug directly into a plug socket.

When the sun is shining, they can generate electricity for everyday appliances around your home such as your fridge, Wi-Fi router, TV or laptop, which helps reduce how much electricity you need to buy from the grid during that sunny day. 

They won't generate as much power as a full rooftop solar system, but they can offer a simple, cheaper introduction to solar energy for some households. However older electrical installations may not be designed to cope with a plug-in solar system, so you should have your wiring inspected by a qualified electrician first, particularly if the equipment will be connected through existing socket outlets or consumer units. 

Think of them as mini solar panels you can plug into your home to generate some of your own electricity, rather than having solar panels permanently fixed to your roof by an installer.

What do I need to consider first?

Is the plug-in solar equipment from a reputable supplier?

Products bought online from overseas may not meet local safety or grid connection requirements. 

Please check for testing, certification and manufacturer support before buying. 

• Look for clear evidence that the equipment has been independently tested
• Find the recognised safety certification, including anti-islanding protection
• The inverter should comply with ENA Engineering Recommendations G98 and BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) 
• Check for installation instructions, a warranty and manufacturer support.

 

Is the plug-in solar approved to use in our jurisdiction?

An inverter is the "brains" of a solar system that converts electricity from solar panels into power for your lights, appliances and sockets.

Any inverter, solar system, battery system, or generator has to comply with recognised electrical and safety standards and should be approved for connection to the electricity network in your local area. 

Unsuitable or poorly designed equipment can pose safety risks, including overheating, wiring damage and fire. Please seek evidence of testing, certification, and manufacturer support.

 Do I need to notify Guernsey Electricity?

Yes, as it's connected to your electricity system, you'll always need to notify Guernsey Electricity.

Plus, this means we can provide potential 'buy-back' payments for your excess electricity. 

Please be aware that we cannot guarantee excess power can be bought back as it very much depends how much power your neighbours and the people living close by need (demand) at the precise time your solar panels are generating extra electricity over and above your needs (supply). It's best to consider these non-guaranteed buy-back payments as a helpful bonus only.  

How to let us know about your solar installation 

 

Is my property's wiring suitable?

Before using plug-in solar, we recommend asking your preferred electrician to inspect your property wiring to make sure it is designed for 'embedded' generation. 

Older electrical installations may not be designed for this new type of technology, particularly where equipment needs to be connected through existing socket outlets or consumer units/fuse board. 

Please also make sure that your new equipment includes 'anti-islanding' protection, a safety feature that automatically switches a solar system off when there's a power cut to protect you and those visiting your property. You may have a system which can supply your property from a battery during a power cut, but this must be safely designed to do so. 

 

Will plug-in solar affect insurance or warranties?

The best option is to check whether the installation may affect building insurance, landlord permissions, lease conditions and manufacturer warranties. 

 

Some solar systems can export your excess electricity back to the network, but to gain any potential 'buy-back' payments, we need to know that you've got a solar system in place. You'll also need to first establish if your current electricity meter can export power. 

Please register your new system here 

The mini solar systems are a familiar sight on balconies in Spain and in Germany, where they are known as a Balkonkraftwerk (balcony power plant)