How to install plug-in solar panels: a step-by-step UK guide

One of the big appeals of plug-in solar is that you install it yourself. No MCS-certified installer, no scaffolding, no rewiring. This guide walks through the whole process for a typical 800W kit, from choosing a position to doing your legal notification.

Before you start

Check your kit is a UK-market product with a 13A plug and UKCA/CE marking (BS 7671 Amendment 4 compliant).
Plan the position: south-facing is best, with a clear sky view. South-east and south-west are fine. East or west loses roughly 10-20% of generation. Avoid shading from trees, chimneys and other buildings - even partial shading cuts output.
Find your DNO by postcode (Energy Networks Association website) and bookmark their G98 notification form - you'll need it before you connect.
Check your socket: the regulations require connection to a suitable socket, ideally an outdoor weatherproof socket (IP-rated). Do not use extension leads or coiled cable reels - the instruction manuals say this explicitly for safety.

Step 1: Mount the panels

Follow your kit's mounting instructions - they vary by product:

Balcony kits (EcoFlow STREAM) use brackets for lattice, glass or concrete balconies. Fix them securely - panels are heavy (15-25kg each) and must survive UK winds.
Ground kits use adjustable tilt frames. UKSOL's hybrid mount works on flat ground (add ballast) or a solid wall. Position at roughly 30-40° tilt for best year-round output.
Wall mounting needs solid masonry - use the supplied hardware and make sure the fixings are rated for the weight.

Safety first: if you're working at height or the position feels unsafe, get a professional installer - the "no installer needed" rule is about certification, not about doing anything dangerous.

Step 2: Connect the panels to the microinverter

Plug the panels' DC cables into the microinverter using the MC4 connectors. Most kits are designed to be foolproof - connectors click in and lock. Keep the panel side unplugged until the system is fully assembled, and never work on connections in wet conditions.

Step 3: Plug into the socket

Connect the microinverter's cable to your outdoor socket. The system then:

Checks the grid frequency and voltage
Starts producing power when the sun is up
Prioritises power for your home, exporting the surplus

Most kits have a status light and an app (EcoFlow, UKSOL, Anker all ship app monitoring). Give it a minute to boot, then check the app shows live generation.

Step 4: Notify your DNO (G98) - don't skip this

Under the G98 Engineering Recommendation, you must notify your Distribution Network Operator before connecting a small generation system. This is a fit-and-notify process:

Fill in the free online form on your DNO's website (most have a dedicated small-scale generation page)
You can connect immediately while the notification is processed - you don't need prior approval
The DNO has 28 days to respond; most confirm much faster

Why it matters: a non-notified system can affect your home insurance and cause issues if you later sell the property. It takes minutes and costs nothing.

Step 5: Set up monitoring and enjoy

Install the app, connect the microinverter to your Wi-Fi, and you'll see live generation, daily totals and (on some kits) your self-consumption. Keep panels reasonably clean - an occasional rinse helps, and snow usually slides off tilted panels.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using an extension lead or cable reel - explicitly warned against in every kit manual
Importing a European kit with a Schuko plug - not compliant in the UK
Blocking the panels with shade - a shaded 800W kit can generate less than a clear 400W kit
Skipping the G98 notification - it's free and takes minutes, but the consequences of skipping are real
Over-tightening balcony brackets - panels expand and contract; follow the torque guidance

If anything in the manual contradicts this guide, follow your kit's manual - it's specific to your product.

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