What changed in 2026
Two things happened in rapid succession. First, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force, giving tenants the right to request consent for improvements — including energy-related ones — and requiring landlords to provide written reasons if they refuse. An unreasonable refusal can be contested.
Second, BS 7671 Amendment 4 was published in April 2026, formally recognising sub-800W plug-in solar connections to standard domestic sockets within UK wiring regulations. This is the electrical framework that makes plug-in systems legally compliant to install.
A third standard — the BSI product standard that will certify specific kits for confirmed DIY self-installation — is expected in July 2026. Until it is published, a CPS-registered electrician handles the final connection, typically for £250–£450. After July 2026, DIY installation of certified kits should be straightforward.
What counts as "portable"
A portable system, for the purposes of both the Renters' Rights Act and plug-in solar installation, is one that:
- Can be removed without leaving permanent marks or structural damage
- Does not require penetrating the building fabric (drilling through walls, fixing into masonry)
- Uses existing electrical infrastructure — the standard socket you already have
- Can be taken with you when you move
Most EcoFlow STREAM kits qualify. The panels mount on a freestanding ground stand or balcony rail brackets (clamp-style, no drilling), the microinverter connects to the panels, and a single plug cable goes into a standard 13A socket. When you leave, you take it all with you.
Approaching your landlord
You are not legally required to ask your landlord before installing a genuinely portable system that leaves no marks. However, in practice, having a brief conversation prevents disputes and builds goodwill — especially if the system will be visible from outside the property or shared space.
A reasonable approach:
Write a short request email
Describe the system, confirm it requires no drilling or permanent fixings, note that you'll remove it when you leave. Keep it factual and include the product name so they can look it up.
Reference the Renters' Rights Act
You don't need to be confrontational. A brief mention that you're making a formal improvement request under the 2025 Act — and that it qualifies as a portable energy improvement — establishes the legal context.
Give them 28 days
Under the Act, landlords have 28 days to respond. If they refuse, they must provide written reasons. An unreasonable refusal (no structural impact, no damage, no cost to them) is contestable.
Proceed with installation
Once you have consent (or after a reasonable time period with no response to a portable system request), order your kit. A CPS-registered electrician will handle the connection until the BSI product standard is published.
Mounting without drilling
The practical challenge for renters is often physical: where do the panels go? Several no-drill solutions work well in UK rental properties.
Balcony rail clamps are the simplest. EcoFlow's mounting brackets wrap around standard balcony railings (round, square, or flat profile) with tightening bolts. No holes, no marks. They work on most metal and concrete balconies. The panels angle slightly above horizontal, which reduces output by around 10–15% compared to an optimally tilted installation — still genuinely worth it.
Freestanding ground frames sit on a patio or garden surface with a weighted base. They can hold one or two panels at the correct tilt angle. If you have outdoor access, this gives near-optimal performance. The frame picks up and moves when you do.
Roof terrace or flat roof — some renters have access to roof terraces. Weighted frames work well here. Wind is a consideration: ensure the frame manufacturer's weight specification is suitable for exposed positions.
Window sill installations (rare, limited) — for ground-floor or basement flats, some renters use small panels (200–400W) angled on external window sills. Output is significantly reduced but the principle works for east/west aspects with morning or afternoon sun.
What you'll actually save
Savings depend on three things: how much sun your panels receive, when you're home to use the electricity, and your current electricity rate. At the April 2026 Ofgem price cap rate of approximately 26p/kWh:
| City | Annual generation (800W, south-facing) | Estimated annual saving | Approx payback (£749 all-in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | ~653 kWh | ~£170 | 4.4 years |
| Bristol | ~694 kWh | ~£180 | 4.2 years |
| Birmingham | ~619 kWh | ~£161 | 4.7 years |
| Manchester | ~572 kWh | ~£149 | 5.0 years |
| Leeds | ~581 kWh | ~£151 | 5.0 years |
| Edinburgh | ~530 kWh | ~£138 | 5.4 years |
These figures assume a south-facing installation at 35° tilt using PVGIS irradiance data. East or west-facing installations produce approximately 20% less; north-facing approximately 40% less. The self-consumption rate (how much generated power you actually use directly, rather than export) is assumed at 85% for a home-worker.
When you move
The system comes with you. Disconnect the plug cable, remove the microinverter, unmount the panels from their brackets (or lift the ground frame), and pack everything. The EcoFlow STREAM kit fits in its original packaging and can be reinstalled in a new property within an afternoon.
You will need to re-notify your new DNO region within 28 days of reconnecting. This is a short online form — see our G98 / DNO notification guide for step-by-step instructions.
Frequently asked questions
- No, but they must provide written reasons for refusal under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, and those reasons must be reasonable. A refusal on the grounds of 'it might damage the property' is harder to sustain for a system with no permanent fixings. If refused unreasonably, you can challenge through the First-tier Tribunal.
- Until the BSI product standard is published (expected July 2026), the electrical connection must be made by a CPS-registered electrician. You can mount the panels and connect all other parts yourself. After July 2026, certified kits should be fully DIY-installable.
- Potentially. A plug-in solar system improves the property's energy profile, which could marginally improve the EPC rating — something landlords are under increasing regulatory pressure to do. This is a reasonable point to mention in your request.
- Not if the installation leaves no marks or damage. Document the property with photos before and after installation. When you leave, take the system with you and ensure the socket and any surface areas are in the same condition as before.
- A north-facing 800W system will generate roughly 60% of what a south-facing system produces — around £100–£110/year rather than £170. It is still positive, just with a longer payback period of around 7 years. East or west-facing is better, at around 80% of south-facing output.
Ready to start?
Browse the kits available now, or read the complete UK guide if you want the full regulatory picture first.