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EcoFlow has been the UK government's named technology partner for the plug-in solar rollout since March 2026. On 22 September, their battery-free STREAM plug-in solar kits finally achieved what everyone had been waiting for: Compliant status on the ENA G98 Type Test Register.
That's genuinely significant. EcoFlow is one of the most recognised brands in the portable power space, with established UK support, a polished monitoring app, and prices starting at £449. For many buyers, an EcoFlow kit will be the natural first choice.
But there's a catch that could cost you real money if you miss it: EcoFlow makes multiple STREAM variants, and several of them are not certified for self-install. Buying the wrong one means you still need an electrician. This guide tells you exactly which kits are compliant, which aren't, and what to look for when you buy.
The Two Certified EcoFlow Kits
Two EcoFlow entries are currently listed as Compliant on the ENA register, both published on 22 September 2026:
1. EcoFlow STREAM Plug-In Solar Kits — Roof and Facade Mounts
ENA reference: ECOFL/21128/V1/A3
Covers: Flat roof kit, Facade (wall) kit, Pitched roof kit
Prices: £449 (Facade 800W) to £699 (Pitched roof 1040W)
Status: Compliant ✅
This is the entry point — two panels and the STREAM 800W microinverter, with mounting hardware suited to your installation type. The cheapest compliant EcoFlow kit is the STREAM Adjustable Facade Kit 800W at £449, which comes with two 400W panels on adjustable wall brackets. It's also the most straightforward to install for anyone with a south or southeast-facing wall or fence.
The full facade range by panel size:
- Facade 800W (2 × 400W panels) — £449
- Facade 900W (2 × 450W panels) — £499
- Facade 1040W (2 × 520W panels) — £549
Flat roof and pitched roof variants follow the same panel configurations at slightly higher prices (£549–£699) to account for the different mounting hardware.
2. EcoFlow EF-PS-800 + SPDG505 Panel Kit
ENA reference: ECOFL/21606/V1/A1
Status: Compliant ✅
A second compliant entry pairing the EF-PS-800 microinverter with SPDG505 panels. Pricing and availability on this variant are still being confirmed — check EcoFlow's UK store directly for current status.
What's NOT Certified for Self-Install — Read This Carefully
This is where buyers can get caught out. EcoFlow's STREAM range includes several models that are battery-integrated — and battery kits are explicitly excluded from SI 2026/848, the law that permits self-install via a standard socket.
These STREAM variants are not certified for the plug-in socket route and still require a qualified electrician for installation:
- STREAM Pro (~£799) — integrated battery, hardwired installation only
- STREAM Ultra (~£899) — integrated battery, hardwired installation only
- STREAM Ultra X (~£1,399) — integrated battery, hardwired installation only
- STREAM 5000 / STREAM 3000 (~£1,599) — large battery system, hardwired installation only
- STREAM AC Pro — battery storage add-on, hardwired installation only
These are excellent products for households who want battery storage and are happy to use an electrician — but they are not self-install plug-in solar under the current regulations. The law specifically covers panels-plus-microinverter with no battery, full stop.
One more important note: as of 22 September, EcoFlow's own website still displayed confusing messaging on some product pages. Always cross-check the ENA register reference (ECOFL/21128/V1/A3 or ECOFL/21606/V1/A1) before buying to confirm your specific kit is compliant.
What's Missing — The Balcony and Ground Mount Gap
There's one notable gap in EcoFlow's certified range that affects a significant number of potential buyers: no balcony or ground mount is currently in the compliant register entry.
The three certified mount types are flat roof, facade (wall), and pitched roof. If you were planning to clip panels to a balcony railing — one of the most common setups for flat and rented properties — that specific configuration isn't in EcoFlow's current ENA entry. A balcony or ground mount kit from EcoFlow can still be installed via the hardwired electrician route, but not yet via the self-install socket route.
Whether EcoFlow adds balcony and ground mount variants to the register is a key development to watch. In the meantime, UKSOL and PatioSun both have certified kits with balcony and ground mount options.
How EcoFlow Compares to the Alternatives
With 70 compliant kits on the register as of 23 September, EcoFlow isn't the only option. Here's how the main certified choices compare:
| Kit | Price (800W) | Ships now? | Mount options | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow STREAM Facade 800W | £449 | Check EcoFlow UK | Facade, flat roof, pitched roof | 10yr inverter, 25yr panel |
| PatioSun Lite | £449 | Yes | Ground/adjustable | TBC |
| Thunder Bolt 460W (single) | £549.99 | Yes | Ground/wall | 25yr panel, 10yr inverter |
| Thunder Bolt 920W (dual) | £749.99 | Yes | Ground/wall | 25yr panel, 10yr inverter |
| UKSOL Duo 890W | £599 (Argos) | Late October | Ground/wall hybrid | 25yr panel, 10yr inverter |
Prices and availability checked at time of writing. Verify before purchasing.
EcoFlow's competitive position is strong — the £449 facade kit matches PatioSun Lite on price while offering a significantly more established brand, better warranty, and a polished monitoring app. The key question is whether the facade mount suits your specific outdoor space.
Why the Monitoring App Matters
One genuine advantage EcoFlow brings over smaller competitors is their app ecosystem. The EcoFlow app shows real-time generation data, integrates with smart plugs to automatically run appliances when your panel is generating, and provides historical output data. For someone who wants to actively optimise their solar usage rather than just leave it plugged in, this is a meaningful differentiator.
The monitoring app also makes it easy to verify your system is working correctly after installation — something that's harder to assess without data when you're self-installing for the first time.
The Expected Annual Savings
Based on current electricity prices of 26.32p/kWh (from 1 October 2026) and typical UK conditions, a well-positioned EcoFlow STREAM 800W kit can save approximately £100–£175 per year — at the higher end for south-facing locations in southern England with good daytime self-consumption, and towards the lower end for more northerly locations or homes empty during the day.
At £449 for the entry kit, that gives a payback period of roughly 3–5 years in favourable conditions. The panels carry a 25-year warranty, so the long-term financial case is straightforward if the placement is good.
Before You Buy — Check Your Placement First
All of this is academic if your specific outdoor space isn't well-suited for solar. A facade kit pointing east rather than south, or a wall position with afternoon shade from a neighbouring building, will generate significantly less than the headline figures suggest.
The single most valuable thing you can do before spending £449+ is spend 60 seconds checking whether your location is actually suitable.
SolarSnap is a free app that gives you an instant Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor rating for your specific outdoor space — based on your GPS location, compass direction, tilt angle, and real solar irradiance data for your area. There's an optional one-off upgrade for a full annual yield and savings estimate in pounds.
Quick Checklist — EcoFlow STREAM Self-Install
- ✅ Check ENA register for ECOFL/21128/V1/A3 or ECOFL/21606/V1/A1 before buying
- ✅ Facade, flat roof or pitched roof mount — currently the only compliant EcoFlow mount types
- ✅ No battery in the kit — battery-integrated STREAM variants require an electrician
- ✅ Check your consumer unit has a Type A, F or B RCD — not Type AC
- ✅ You need an outdoor weatherproof socket — no extension leads permitted
- ✅ Submit G98 notification to your DNO within 28 days of connecting
- ⚠️ Balcony and ground mounts not yet in EcoFlow's compliant register entry
- ⚠️ One device per household — confirmed in G98 August 2026 amendment
Sources
- Plug-In Solar Explained — EcoFlow's Plug-In Solar Kits Are Compliant Now (22 September 2026)
- Plug-In Solar Explained — EcoFlow Stream Facade Kit 800W price and ENA register entry
- Balcony Solar Guide UK — Approved Plug-In Solar Kits: Certification Tracker (23 September 2026)
- Balcony Solar Guide UK — Every EcoFlow STREAM Model Compared (2026)
- Plugin Solar Calculator — UK Plug-in Solar Kits (7 September 2026)
- Energy Networks Association — ENA Connect Direct Type Test Register
- legislation.gov.uk — SI 2026 No. 848