Are plug-in solar panels really as easy to install and use as it's claimed? I tested them to find out

Plug-in solar panels recently became legal to use in the UK, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a sample to test in my back garden.

Unlike traditional solar panels, which have to be professionally installed on your roof and cost around £5,000 to £8,000 for a 4kWp system, plug-in models are a fraction of the price and are simply plugged into an outdoor power socket.

While they won't generate anywhere near the same amount of energy as a roof-mounted PV system, they can be an alternative (and accessible) way for people to make some savings on their energy bills over time.

If you're curious about how this energy source works – and whether the savings are worth it – I've shared my experience below after testing the UKSOL Pro Duo Plug-In 890W Solar Kit, supplied by Macbrook Gas.

UKSOL Pro Duo Plug-In 890W Solar Kit: specs

UKSOL Pro Duo Plug-In 890W Solar Kit: first impressions and set-up

Measuring H113 x W352 x D3cm, these solar panels were definitely on the large side for my tiny garden, but I decided to give them a go for testing purposes to see whether they could save me money on my bills.

The two panels were delivered with cardboard protection around each corner and came with a 800W smart microinverter, 4m AC connection cable, 2m DC connection cables, ground mounting stand and manual.

Due to their awkward size and heavy weight (74.5kg), I needed an extra pair of hands to manoeuvre them from my door to the garden, so you may need to call in some assistance if you're on the shorter and weaker side, like me.

Before you set them up, you'll need to ensure the socket and circuit are suitable and then register the panels with your local DNO using a G98 notification.

The instructions were incredibly clear to follow, and we couldn't believe how easy they were to install – we had them up and running in about five minutes, which was much speedier than we had ever anticipated. You don't need to know about electrics or have any technical knowledge, so if the installation feels daunting, I can assure you it's a breeze.

The panels were easy to connect to the app, which displays the savings you're making in real time, along with other interesting information about the energy produced and history of usage.

What you will need, however, is an outdoor socket as you can't use an extension lead. Although our socket isn't in the most ideal location – on the opposite side from where the sun hits – the two metre cable was long enough to reach the other end of the garden. I also wasn't able to use the ground mount because we didn't have the space to lie them horizontally.

UKSOL Pro Duo Plug-In 890W Solar Kit: performance and savings

Once you've downloaded the app and connected it to your panels, you'll be able to watch your savings creep up in real time, which all feels very exciting.

The dashboard tells you how much energy the panels have generated today, their lifetime energy (how much they've produced since you first installed them), total revenue (what you've saved), along with historical data that can be filtered by day, month, year and all time.

To give you a rough idea of what you could save, our three-bedroom terraced house generated 2.02 kWh of energy over three days in mid-September, with a total revenue of 79p (see photos below).

According to Macbrook Gas, these panels could save homeowners up to £150 a year, but this will depend on factors such as sunlight levels and household energy use. With an upfront cost of £849, it would take you around 5.66 years to make your money back (assuming you achieve the prediction above).

While the panels don't offer a massive payback, they can be a good way to make small savings on your bills and cut down on your energy usage. My partner's parents, for example, were very happy to take them off my hands and see any sort of saving as a positive thing. They'll be testing them over the long term, so I'll report back on how they get on once they have used them for a longer period and at different times of the year.

UKSOL Pro Duo Plug-In 890W Solar Kit: final verdict

So, should you buy these plug-in solar panels?

If your garden is big enough to accommodate them and you're happy with any sort of saving on your energy bills, then why not? They're easier to install and set up than some household appliances, and watching the savings (even if they're minimal) can be surprisingly fun and addictive.

However, at this present time they aren't the most suitable investment for me personally, for two reasons: they're not suitable for my small garden, and I'm not in a financial position to spend £849 on something with a limited annual payback. Once plug-in solar panels become smaller in size (as it's predicted they will), it's potentially something I would reconsider as they hopefully then wouldn't take over my small garden space in quite the same way.

Want to learn more? Read these plug-in solar panel facts or find out where to buy plug-in solar panels.