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Given the current state of the world, we probably don’t have to do much to sell you on the benefits of renewable energy.
So it makes complete sense that supermarket Lidl recently announced it will start supplying plug-in solar panels for as little as £400 in the next few months.
With energy bills rising this month, the move to increase supply of renewable power sources on British high streets could help people offset their energy bills.
We know what you’re thinking: there’s not much sun in the UK at the moment. But that doesn’t mean the energy saved by using solar panels won’t add up.
And the good news is that you don’t need to wait for Lidl and other high street suppliers to try a plug-in solar panel: there are plenty of larger options available to buy now.
Best plug-in solar panels at a glance:
- Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2
- VTOMAN Jump 2200 Portable Power Station And 400W Solar Panel
- Bluetti Solar Panel
- Anker Solix Portable Solar Panel 200W
- DOKIO Foldable Portable Solar Panel
Best plug-in solar panels to shop now
Whether you’re dipping your toe in the world of renewable energy, or looking for a seriously durable source to rely on during the apocalypse (or what other people would call camping), we’ve rounded up the best plug-in solar panels, from £99 to £1,900.
If it's speed you're after, this power station can charge in as little as 52 minutes. But that doesn't mean it skimps on power, as the panel can charge all of your household and outdoor appliances at once. Nor does it mean excess weight, as the power station is as light as a suitcase.
Specs:In the box: Explorer 2000v2, Solar Saga 200W AC charge cable, 3m solar panel connection lead
Wattage: 2200W
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: Power bank is 17.5kg; panel is 6.3kg
Warranty: 5 years
Thinking about living off grid? This set will sort you out, not least because it can help you jump start a diesel car, should you need to. With 12 plugs, you can charge multiple things at the same time and those maximum 4400W are enough to last you several days at the very least.
One happy reviewer claimed they: “Used it on one five-day caravan trip to run a microwave, hair straighteners and 2 TVs and anything else in the caravan I couldn't run on 12V or gas. It performed admirably and still had 83% charge remaining.”
Specs:In the box: Jump 2200 power station, USB-A to Type-C cable, Type-C, to Type-C cable, AC adaptor, AC charger and charging cable, car charging cable, user guide
Wattage: 2200W
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: Power bank is 17.5kg
Warranty: 2 years
Looking to travel light? Good news, you can get a solar panel that folds up as small as a laptop. It's easy to set up, so ideal for beginners, and you can slide it into a van or car and barely know it's there – except for when you need it.
Specs:
In the box: Solar panel, 12 metre DC5521 to XT60 cable, 2 x carabiners, user manual and warranty card
Wattage: 60W
Waterproof: No, splashproof but can't be left in the rain.
Weight: 1.4kg
Warranty: 1 year
No matter where you are, this foldable solar panel can be adjusted to maximise the amount of sunlight it absorbs. That's thanks to its four adjustable angles, which increases its efficiency and means you get 1.5x the amount of power from the same amount of sunlight. Translation: your appliances will charge quicker.
Specs:
In the box: Anker PS200 Solar Panel (200W), 2x 9.8 ft (3 m) MC4 solar charging cable, 1.6 ft (0.5 m) MC4 to XT-60 to DC7909 connector cable and safety manual.
Wattage: 200W
Waterproof: Weatherproof (IP67)
Weight: 9.23kg
Warranty: 5 years
If you live somewhere windy, this is the panel for you. It's bulky and heavy, which can make it difficult to pack away – especially as the panels face outward when it's packed up – but this makes it ideal for camping in slightly more torrential climes.
Specs:
In the box: ******* 200W solar panel, ******* 20A controller, ***.8FT XT60 cable, ****** to Alligator clip cable, ****** to DC cable, **** conversion adapters.
Wattage: 200W
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 11.8kg
Warranty: Not stated
For an everyday solar panel that can help you lower those pesky energy bills, this a durable, reliable duo is your best bet. The power station charges in just over two hours, and is basically silent, so you don't have to worry about unwelcome noise in your house. Plus, the power lasts a long time, meaning frequent recharges become a thing of the past. Phew!
Specs:
In the box: DELTA Max 2, portable solar panel, AC charging cable, user manual and warranty
Wattage: 400W
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 22.7kg
Warranty: 5 years
Everything has to be smart nowadays, and that includes your solar panel. But we're not mad about it, these panels can be synced with the EcoFlow app so you can track how much energy you're generating – and your ROI (ie. how much you save on energy). It even means you can control the appliances you're powering while away on holiday, and
Specs:
In the box: 2 x 450W solar panels, 800 W micro inverter, STREAM BKW-AC cable, STREAM solar panel extension cable, clamp
Wattage: 900W
Waterproof: IP67
Weight: 3.2kg
Warranty: 10 years
Here's another panel that folds up to a briefcase size, but unfortunately due to being extremely heavy it's not suitable for travel. But the upside of that is it's durable and you won't have to worry about it blowing around in the wind, and once you're done with it you can easily fold it away.
Specs:In the box: Foldable panel, MC4 connector, XT60 cable, power bank.
Wattage: 400W
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 18.5kg
Warranty: 3 years
Can't be bothered with all that dragging around? Good news, this model is just 3kg, making it easy to travel with. At just £199, it's a steal as well, mostly because it lasts up to 10 years, and can capture sunlight from both the front and back for maximum efficiency.
Specs:In the box: PS100 Bifacial Portable Solar Panel, 2× 8.2 ft (2.5 m) solar charging cable, 1.6 ft (0.5 m) XT60i solar charging cable, quick start guide, and safety card.
Wattage: 100W
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 3kg
Warranty: 5 years
How do plug-in solar panels work?
Instead of having to pay for a costly installation (or deal with getting dreaded planning permission) plug-in solar panels can be installed in your home yourself, or simply propped up when you’re camping or off-grid.
Connecting a solar panel to an inverter can result in energy to charge your electronics within a few hours.
Some are even powerful enough to power a camper van, or kitchen appliances, while others are light and foldable, so they’re easily transported.
What can plug-in solar panels be used for?
Available in different forms and with varying wattage outputs, solar panels can be used in lots of contexts, including:
- During power outages
- To save money on energy bills by charging electronics and kitchen appliances
- When you’re camping or off-grid
- To power your car.
What are the benefits of solar panels?
If you’re still not sure why you would need a solar panel in your home, we asked Kian Milroy, renewables electrical engineer at solar panel intallation Heatabl to explain the how they can offset your energy bills.
“The obvious benefit of solar panels is that they allow you to generate some of your own electricity, rather than buying it from the grid,” he says. “That means you can reduce your electricity bills and protect yourself against future energy price increases.“
However, it is unlikely you’ll be able to use solar panel as your sole source of energy in the UK, Milroy notes.
“We just don’t get enough sun in winter,” he says. “But if you use a lot of energy during the day, whether you’re working from home, charging an electric vehicle, or you’re at home with a young family, it can make a material difference to your bills.
“And if you manage to produce surplus electricity, you can usually export it back to the grid through a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. But the savings you generate will always depend on your roof, how many panels you have, and how much energy you use.”
Other solar powered security cameras and bird feeders to shop now
