UKSOL sells plug-in solar direct and through other shops, Argos among them. There are five kits. Here are the prices, the payback sums and two catches. We have not tested any of them.
What do you get in the box?
The Compact 515 W kit has one 515 W panel and an 800 W microinverter, with an adjustable hybrid mounting stand. The Compact 460 W is a ground-mount kit. The Duo 890 W, Plus 1030 W and Max 1260 W add more panels. The 1030 W and 1260 W figures are panel watts. The inverter still caps output at 800 W. In summer the extra panels add little. They may help a little in dull light (our reasoning, not a measured figure). Kits with more than 960 W of panels come with official advice to have an electrician check your wiring first.
How much does it cost?
Direct from UKSOL, price checked 12 October 2026, including 20% VAT. Compact 515 W hybrid mount is £599, and the page says it is available from 1 November. Compact 460 W ground mount is £599. Duo 890 W hybrid is £849. Plus 1030 W is £899. Max 1260 W is £989. At City Plumbing the Compact 460 W is £670.80, which is £71.80 more than direct. Argos has a UKSOL listing, but we couldn't verify Argos prices. UKSOL kits are also reported at Homebase and Wilko. We couldn't verify those either.
How much will it save a year?
Our estimate, scaled from the government's 800 W figures of about £70 to £110 a year. The 515 W kit saves about £45 to £70. The 460 W kit saves about £40 to £65. The 890 W, 1030 W and 1260 W kits all get the full £70 to £110, because output is capped at 800 W. A bigger kit doesn't save more than that.
How long does it take to pay for itself?
Price divided by saving, to the nearest half year. Compact 515 W: £599 ÷ £70 = 8.6 and £599 ÷ £45 = 13.3, so 8.5 to 13.5 years. Compact 460 W direct: £599 ÷ £65 = 9.2 and £599 ÷ £40 = 15.0, so 9 to 15 years. At City Plumbing's £670.80 it is 10.5 to 17 years. Duo 890 W: £849 ÷ £110 = 7.7 and £849 ÷ £70 = 12.1, so 7.5 to 12 years. Plus 1030 W: £899 ÷ £110 = 8.2 and £899 ÷ £70 = 12.8, so 8 to 13 years. Max 1260 W: £989 ÷ £110 = 9.0 and £989 ÷ £70 = 14.1, so 9 to 14 years. The extra panels cost more but save no more. See is plug-in solar worth it?.
Is it on the ENA register?
UKSOL's homepage says its kits are ENA compliant. That is a claim, not a register entry. Search the ENA register for your exact kit before you buy, whether you buy direct or at Argos. UKSOL also says the kits are approved for connection only in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has different rules; see our Northern Ireland guide. You must tell your network operator too; see the notification guide.
Where can you put it?
The Compact 515 W has an adjustable hybrid stand in the box. The Compact 460 W is a ground-mount kit. The listings we read don't say more. Pick a spot with sun for most of the day. Our guide to sheds, fences and flat roofs covers the usual spots.
Does the warranty outlast the payback?
Partly. UKSOL gives a 10-year British warranty. Most of the paybacks above start below 10 years, so in a sunny spot you are covered. In the worst case several run longer: the Max 1260 W is 9 to 14 years and the Compact 460 W is 9 to 15. Our test is that the warranty should run well past the payback. In a poor spot, it doesn't.
Who is it for, and who should skip it?
It suits buyers in England, Wales or Scotland who want a well-known shop such as Argos. The Duo 890 W has the best payback in the range. Skip the 1030 W and 1260 W kits because any gain in dull light is our reasoning, not a measured figure. The 1260 W costs £140 more than the Duo and saves no more. Skip it too if you live in Northern Ireland. And compare City Plumbing: see its kits.
The quick version
- Five kits from £599 to £989 direct, VAT included, checked 12 October 2026.
- Payback is about 7.5 to 15 years. Argos prices could not be verified.
- The kits are approved only in England, Wales and Scotland, says UKSOL.