Plug in solar panels and the meter

[camerart]

Hi,
I've just heard about plug in solar panels, which sound interesting.

I had panels on my motorhome, and they charged 12v batteries and could run a laptop or tv, so for me they're useful.

What I want to know is, as these are mains plug in, does the meter run backwards, when producing more electricity than used, so giving the grid extra power, for no benefit to me, but this would help the grid and country. ( for any do gooders.)
C

 

[jj4091]

It seems not. Long thread about them here if you are interested.

N

Thread 'Plug in balcony solar UK , just a Lidl question'

24 May 2026

I'm very interested in these new " balcony solar " panels that I hear Lidl are going to be selling from June , I've done my research on them and the ones currently for sale "to" the UK market require a new ring circuit to be installed , am I right in thinking that this is unavoidable or are the ones that are going to be specifically produced for UK sales going to be different ?, I don't think that supermarkets selling them over the counter is very responsible if they need a new circuit installing because lets face it people are just going to plug them in and burn their houses down , I'm...

• Neil Carroll
• Replies: 154
• Forum: Electrics UK

 

[camerart]

It seems not. Long thread about them here if you are interested.

N

Thread 'Plug in balcony solar UK , just a Lidl question'

24 May 2026

I'm very interested in these new " balcony solar " panels that I hear Lidl are going to be selling from June , I've done my research on them and the ones currently for sale "to" the UK market require a new ring circuit to be installed , am I right in thinking that this is unavoidable or are the ones that are going to be specifically produced for UK sales going to be different ?, I don't think that supermarkets selling them over the counter is very responsible if they need a new circuit installing because lets face it people are just going to plug them in and burn their houses down , I'm...

• Neil Carroll
• Replies: 154
• Forum: Electrics UK

Hi J,
I started reading your thread, but I don't want amateur guesswork and conspiracies, and it's too long for me to read, but thanks.
C

 

[denso13]

What I want to know is, as these are mains plug in, does the meter run backwards, when producing more electricity than used, so giving the grid extra power, for no benefit to me, but this would help the grid and country. ( for any do gooders.)

No, solar plug in doesn't charge batteries so can't export.

 

[camerart]

No, solar plug in doesn't charge batteries so can't export.

Hi D,
I didn't ask about batteries, only the meter and grid.
C

 

[camerart]

Hi Just found this:

Smart Meters & Solar: Complete UK Guide | Pluggedin.solar

Smart meters and solar panels UK guide. SMETS1 vs SMETS2, export tracking, plug-in solar compatibility, and SEG payments.

pluggedin.solar

C.

 

[denso13]

Hi D,
I didn't ask about batteries, only the meter and grid.
C

You can only export with additional hoops to go through. Meters can't run backwards.

This is for plug in solar which is meant to be a diy approach of course.