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Octopus Energy has become the first major UK energy supplier to sell plug-in solar panels, meaning its customers can now save even more on their monthly bills.
Announced one day after new legislation came into force allowing generation of up to 800MW, Octopus’ new plug-in system will let households generate their own solar energy without installing traditional rooftop panels, meaning renters, people who live in flats, and those without a suitable roof can cut their bills.
Octopus’ plug-in solar kit starts at a price of £450 and customers are able to choose between a one or two-panel set up.
The company estimates that households could save up to £150, but this will depend on sunlight levels and household energy use.
The 460W panels can be wall- or floor mounted, the company explains. They’re designed to capture sunlight from both sides. The company said customers can track their generated electricity via the Octopus app.
The kit comes with a standard three-pin plug and a 5m cable, making it easy to slot in at home and help power up everyday appliances such as fridges, washing machines or TVs.
The system is designed for simple DIY installation, meaning customers can easily set it up themselves in just an hour and even take it with them if they decide to move.
Octopus will also add plug-in solar panels to its own Nook Cube plug-in battery offering, launching early next year for households in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Octopus, said: “Britons love solar – generate your own green power, slash bills, AND get energy independent, what’s not to love.
“But you shouldn’t need a roof to tap into the savings. Plug-in solar democratises cheaper energy, making sure everyone can shrink their bill while helping build a greener grid.”
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Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024 and became deputy editor in 2025. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.
He has represented The Eco Experts on national television several times, including the BBC’s Sunday Morning Live and ITV Tonight .
In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.
He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.
Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.
As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.
His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.
Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.
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