The rapid success of plugin solar kits in Germany has recently caused growing interest in the UK. But can the success be copied there? Technically yes: As the UK has a 50Hz 230V AC power grid, plugin solar devices should work there without any issues and as the british standards (BS 7439) require all households to have earthing wires, a connection via the common three pin plugs and sockets should work safely in the UK as well. The inverter will shut down automatically if the plug is pulled independently of the plug that is used (DIN EN 62109-1). So it doesn’t necessarily have to be a German “Schutzkontakt” plug.

Since with the common kits sold in Europe, all components are constructed according to european and international standards to prevent any risk, there is no fire risk. With the common 13 A fuses and 2.5 mm wiring, UK households have a lot of reserve for additional feed-in power. While in Germany (16 A fuses and 1.5 mm wiring) a limit is reached at 600 to 800 Watts (AC side), this limit could be significantly higher in the UK. Still it will probably stay at 800 Watts as well because that is the ‘significance’ limit in the EU grid code and because the G98 UK Engineering Recommendation sets this limit as well. While German activists managed to get rid of the requirement to have an electrician plugging in the power plug in 2020, the UK seems to be a bit behind on that. Additional safety features like an RCD switch, retractable safety covers or other solutions that already exist could help with this.

It remains to be seen if the technology can gain enough traction to become a mass phenomenon like in Germany. Considering that it already technically works and can help Britain decentralize and decarbonize the power grid while saving the individual Brit real cash, it might not take too long.