My renter checklist, the seven things every kit must pass
Before I'll feature a kit on this page, it has to clear all seven of these tests. They came directly from my own renter pain points and from emails readers have sent me.
The Plug Solar Hub renter test
- No roof drilling required
- Portable, comes with you when you move
- Landlord-friendly (no permanent fixtures)
- Easy removal in under 30 minutes
- Quiet, no audible inverter hum
- Smart app for monitoring
- G98-compliant for UK plug-in
Affiliate disclosure: Links below go to Amazon UK. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend kits I'd install in my own flat, not the ones with the highest commission rate.
Seen on UK shelves. EcoFlow and Jackery are now stacked in Costco, with Currys, B&Q and Lidl following. Read the market note, set against Germany's balcony boom →The renter verdict
Picks that need no fixed install and move with you, then the full table. Primary links go direct to EcoFlow for UK VAT, returns and the 5-year warranty.
Panels and a microinverter, no battery, inside the 800W cap. These are the formats built for the new rules, which come into force on 27 August 2026 under SI 2026 No. 848. No product has been approved and listed on the ENA G98 register yet, so treat this as the category to get ready for rather than something you can lawfully plug in today.
EcoFlow STREAM 800 Balcony Kit
Two 400W panels and an 800W microinverter, no fixed install. Unclip it and take it when you move.
Latest price at EcoFlow →also on Amazon UKEcoFlow STREAM Plug & Play
Begin at about £349, then add a battery and more panels once you have settled.
Latest price at EcoFlow →Anything with a battery sits outside the plug-in route, because the legal definition excludes devices designed to import electricity in order to store it for later. These are still a good buy and still legal, they simply need a qualified electrician for a fixed install, or they work as portable units with no wiring at all.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic 1024 Wh
A portable LFP power station you charge from a folding panel. Zero install, fully moveable.
Latest price at EcoFlow →| Renter pick | Moveable | Battery | Panels | From | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 Balcony Kit | Yes | none | 2 x 400W | ~£499 | Latest price |
| EcoFlow STREAM Plug & Play | Yes | none | 800W | ~£349 | Latest price |
| EcoFlow STREAM Pro | Yes | 1.92 kWh | 2 x 400W | ~£979 | Latest price |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic | Fully portable | 1024 Wh | pair a panel | ~£399 | Latest price |
Prices are time-of-writing references from EcoFlow UK and Amazon UK and change; the button shows the live price, never a promised one. Disclosed affiliate links: EcoFlow direct via Awin, Amazon UK. How we stay free.
The 7 best plug-in solar kits for UK renters
EcoFlow STREAM 800W + Lattice-Balcony Bracket
The kit I'd buy if I had a typical UK metal-railing balcony. Includes the same 2×400W panels and 800W microinverter as the standard kit, but with brackets designed for lattice railings, no drilling, no permanent fixings.
EcoFlow STREAM 800W Standard Kit
The original 800W STREAM. Two 400W panels you can ground-mount, lean against a fence, or place on a south-facing wall. If you have outdoor space and you don't want to fix to the building, this is the simplest path.
EcoFlow STREAM Pro 1.92 kWh
The renter setup I'd buy if I planned to stay in my current flat for 18 months or more. Adds a 1.92 kWh LFP battery to the 800W panels, expandable to 11.52 kWh. Stores daytime sun for evening peak, which is when most renters actually need it.
EcoFlow STREAM 800W (panels-only entry)
The cheapest legitimate way into UK plug-in solar. Same 2×400W panels and microinverter, no battery, no fancy mount. Best value per watt of any kit on Amazon UK right now. Good "test the water" kit.
EcoFlow STREAM AC Pro 1.92 kWh
The AC Pro is a battery-only unit you can plug into any compatible microinverter, including non-EcoFlow ones. Useful if you're in a flat where panel-mounting is tricky, but you want the storage benefits. Pair with one or two panels later.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus 1024 Wh
If you change flats every 12 months, a portable power station + folding panel beats a fixed kit. The DELTA 3 Plus is a 1024 Wh LFP battery you can charge from the wall, from solar (via XT60), or from your car. Move it in a single trip.
EcoFlow STREAM Ultra X 3.84 kWh
For renters in a long-term tenancy or rent-to-buy who want the full setup: 1600W output, 4×400W panels, 3.84 kWh battery expandable to 23 kWh. Overkill for a studio, perfect for a 2–3 bed flat with high evening usage.
What an 800W setup actually saves a London renter
I run the same numbers any time someone asks. Here's a realistic example using a south-facing London balcony, the standard 800W kit and the April 2026 Ofgem unit rate (~27p/kWh).
| Setup | Annual generation | Self-use rate | Annual saving | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800W panel-only | ~650 kWh | ~50% | ~£88 | 5.5–6 yrs |
| 800W + 1.92 kWh battery | ~650 kWh | ~85% | ~£150 | 6.5–7 yrs |
| 1600W + 3.84 kWh battery | ~1,300 kWh | ~85% | ~£300 | 6.5–7 yrs |
Self-use rate matters more than panel size. A panel-only kit only saves you money when you're actively using power. A battery lets you bank daytime sun for evening peak, where most household consumption happens. Run my calculator for a number tailored to your postcode and tenancy length.
Three things to do before you order
- Tell your landlord (or read the lease). The Renters' Rights Act 2025 means they can't unreasonably refuse a portable system, but a polite heads-up keeps things smooth. Template letter on the renter guide.
- Check the orientation. South-facing or south-east is ideal. North-facing balconies get less than half the output, be honest with yourself before you spend.
- File the G98 notification with your DNO. 20 minutes online, free, mandatory for grid-connected installs. Step-by-step here.
Frequently asked questions
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For portable plug-in kits with no permanent fixings, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 means landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. You should still notify them in writing for goodwill, and you must notify your DNO under G98. See my renter guide for templates.
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For an 800W plug-in kit on a normal 13A socket, no, that's the whole point of plug-in solar. If you're going above 800W, want to hardwire, or want a generation meter, then yes, get a Part P electrician.
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All seven kits above install with zero drilling. If you remove the kit when you move (which takes <30 mins) the property is exactly as you found it. Take photos before and after for your records.
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Yes, but only on the unit-rate portion, not the standing charge. A typical London renter saves £80–£150 a year on a panel-only kit and £140–£250 with a battery. Run the figure for your situation in the calculator.
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Yes, that's the whole point. Every kit on this page is fully portable. The DELTA 3 Plus is the easiest to move (single trolley); the Ultra X is the hardest (two-person, 60+ kg packed).
Check the latest Amazon UK prices
Prices on Amazon UK move week to week. My products hub tracks every STREAM variant, plus the accessories I actually use.
Related reading: Full UK Renter's Guide · Is a plug-in solar battery worth it? · Best kits under £500 · Free buyer checklist (PDF)