I just did a full solar install instead of waiting for plug-in solar in the UK — here's why

I live in Scotland and just got my solar install up and running a few days ago.

While it's obviously still very early days, I'm really happy with how it's all going so far — and with my decision to go for a full panel and battery system.

Was I tempted to wait for plug-in solar when the news filtered through earlier this year that this option was to become officially available with kits in the UK? No, because I wanted a full solar setup for a few reasons that I'll detail here — along with my initial thoughts on how my system is working (although I've already dropped a spoiler on that).

That's not to say plug-in solar isn't going to be a good choice for some, of course – it promises to provides a low-hassle route into electricity bill savings for renters and those with limited roof space.

But it has distinct limitations compared to a full solar array.

So, here are the main reasons why I wanted that full setup — a bank of 15 roof-mounted panels, a battery, and a gateway — after which I'll come back to the merits of plug-in solutions.

1.

Staying put with a south-facing roof (Image credit: Darren Allan) A full solar setup with an array of panels plus a beefy battery (in my case, a Tesla Powerwall 3 with a 13.5kWh capacity) is, of course, a considerable financial commitment for homeowners.

It's much easier to make that commitment if you know that you'll be living in the house for a long time, as in that case, year by year, you'll make your money back in electricity savings (eventually, or that's the hope).

I'm intending to stay put in my current house for 10 to 15 years, and towards the latter end of the scale, the solar should pay for itself, due to a combination of savings on my electric bill (which will effectively be hardly anything going forward, save for the standing charge for having a grid connection) and selling spare energy back to the grid (solar export).

I may be in the house for even longer, and at that point, it's just free electric, which is obviously a nice thought (especially if utility bills keep on increasing in the way they have been).

My house is ideal for solar, having a near-south-facing roof and no shading issues — so given my plan to stay long-term, it seemed crazy not to get a solar array, really.

The only issue was saving up to pay for it (which admittedly took quite some time).

It was a very cool moment when the mains switch was flipped off and our house carried on fully powered, just as normal.