Best UK balcony solar kits — 2026 honest picks
Five options, one strict rule: if UK stock or compliance is unclear, we say “watch” instead of hiding it.
The five picks
EcoFlow STREAM
- Deepest UK distribution of any balcony brand
- Route excess into the battery, discharge into the evening peak
- Polished, brand-supported install
More detail
EcoFlow has by far the deepest UK distribution among balcony solar brands in 2026. The STREAM line is the company’s plug-in solar play — AC-coupled, app-controlled, with optional add-on battery (STREAM Ultra, additional ~£400–£600). Inverter output respects the 800W cap. Good fit if you want a polished, brand-supported install and don’t mind paying for it. See the head-to-head vs Anker SOLIX and battery storage guide.
Anker SOLIX Solarbank 2
- Charges by day, discharges into your evening usage
- Mature firmware, time-of-use schedules
- UK Amazon stock is intermittent — check first (Amazon DE often has it)
More detail
Anker’s Solarbank 2 is the headline AC-coupled balcony battery. It charges from panels during the day and discharges into the household at night to maximise self-consumption. The battery is 1.6 kWh and stackable. UK Amazon stock has been intermittent — the easier path is often Amazon DE with EU shipping, which is fine for a UK buyer.
Zendure SolarFlow 800
- Direct Solarbank competitor, neat enclosure, strong app
- AC output respects the 800W cap
- UK distribution improving — verify before buying
More detail
SolarFlow 800 is Zendure’s direct competitor to the Solarbank. Smaller modular AB1000/AB2000 batteries, neat enclosure, strong app. UK distribution is shallower than EcoFlow but better than it was last year.
APsystems EZ1-M
- The European balcony workhorse — proven, Bluetooth monitoring
- + one 400–500W panel = unbeatable £/W
- Electrician hardwire today; plug-in once the PSSR change lands
More detail
If you want the simplest, lowest-cost compliant install, an APsystems EZ1-M microinverter paired with one or two 400–500W panels is unbeatable on price. The EZ1-M is a well-known European balcony solar workhorse: anti-islanding, EN-certified, Bluetooth monitoring. Pair with a CPS-registered electrician’s hardwire install today, or a compliant plug-in kit once the PSSR amendment / product spec lands.
Hoymiles HMS-800
- Often a few pounds cheaper than the EZ1-M
- Major OEM — spares easy to find
- WiFi monitoring via S-Miles cloud
More detail
Direct competitor to the EZ1-M, similar spec, often a few pounds cheaper. Hoymiles is a major OEM behind several branded kits, so spares and replacement parts are easy to find. Two MPPT inputs mean you can wire two panels facing different directions. WiFi monitoring via the Hoymiles S-Miles cloud.
How to pick — three tiers, no overlap
Cheapest fully-compliant 800W
EZ1-M or HMS-800 + one 400–500W panel + electrician hardwire + free G98.
£300–£500 all-inPolished & UK-supported
EcoFlow STREAM kit + small panel + electrician + G98. Easiest app experience.
£700–£1,000Time-shift into the evening
STREAM Ultra, Solarbank 2 or SolarFlow 800. Slower payback, more control.
£1,000–£1,500What about “wait for legalisation”?
That’s a defensible choice. The DESNZ consultation closed 30 June 2026 (response summary ~22 July) — if you can wait a few months, the PSSR amendment + product spec should mean “buy on Amazon, plug in, file G98” becomes the legal default. If you want the savings now and have a flat in a high-rate region (most of England & Wales is on the ~27p/kWh cap), the hardwire route gives you the same savings starting today. Run your numbers in the UK savings calculator.
Prices and stock are accurate to the best of our knowledge as of July 2026 and change frequently — the links open the current live listing so you can verify. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.