Plug-in solar for renters: balcony kits, consent and moving home
4.4 million private renters and 2.8 million leaseholders in the UK can benefit from balcony solar. It's portable, removable, requires no structural changes, and it moves with you when your tenancy ends.
Why Balcony Solar Is Ideal for Renters
Traditional rooftop solar panels are the preserve of homeowners. They're fixed to the building, cost thousands of pounds to install professionally, and stay with the property when you sell or move. Renters have historically been locked out entirely.
Balcony solar changes this. The systems designed for German Balkonkraftwerk use were built from the ground up to be portable, renter-friendly, and removable. The UK market has inherited this design philosophy, and it makes balcony solar accessible to renters in a way that conventional solar never was.
Illustration4.4m
private renters in England
2.8m
leasehold flat owners
£80–£200
typical annual electricity saving
If you live in a housing association or managed leasehold property, the process can differ slightly. See our housing association solar guide for specific advice.
You don't need to own your property to go solar
Quick Wins for Renters
Buy a portable system
A verified plug-in kit is not fixed to the building. When you move, you take it with you and set it up at the next property. Battery systems, including the EcoFlow STREAM range, are a different install and need an electrician.
Use a floor mount or railing clip
Freestanding floor mounts require zero fixing to the building fabric. Railing clip mounts attach to your balcony railing without drilling. Either approach means no permanent change to the property, and therefore no deposit deduction risk.
No drilling required
Modern balcony solar mounting systems are specifically designed to avoid drilling. This is largely because the market was initially targeted at German and French renters. The UK market inherits this renter-friendly design.
Take it with you when you move
Unlike roof solar panels (which stay with the property), a balcony solar system is personal property. It moves with you. The investment follows you through multiple tenancies, potentially over many years.
Renter Guides
Landlord Permission Letter Template
A complete, professionally drafted letter template you can adapt and send to your landlord requesting permission to install balcony solar. Includes references to the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Get the template →Renters' Rights Act 2025 and Solar
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 changed the balance of power in the private rental sector. What does it mean for your ability to install balcony solar? We explain the relevant provisions.
Read the guide →Juliet Balcony Solar Guide
Don't have a full balcony floor? Juliet balconies (narrow railings at a window) can still host solar panels, but it takes the right system and approach. This guide covers what works and what doesn't.
Read the guide →Solar Panels for Flats: Your Real Options
You don't own the roof, you might not own the walls, and you may not own the flat. Solar is still possible. This is what works in a flat, what rarely does, and what it costs.
Read the guide →Complete Renter's Guide to Balcony Solar
The comprehensive guide covering everything a UK renter needs to know: permission, installation, savings, what happens at the end of a tenancy, and which systems are best for rental situations.
Read the full guide →The Practical Process for Renters
Check your balcony
Do you have a south, south-east, or south-west facing balcony? Even an east or west facing balcony will generate useful electricity. A Juliet balcony (narrow railing at a window) can work with a smaller system.
Choose a portable, no-drill system
For rental situations, prioritise a verified plug-in kit with a freestanding floor mount or a clip-on railing mount. Avoid anything requiring wall or floor drilling. The EcoFlow STREAM is a battery system, not that kind of kit: it needs an electrician.
Write to your landlord
Use our landlord permission letter template. Frame the request around the portable, non-structural nature of the system and reference the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Most landlords will say yes when they understand there's no structural change involved.
Notify your DNO
Regardless of who owns the property, you're responsible for notifying your Distribution Network Operator under the G98 standard before connecting. This takes 15 minutes and is free.
Install and start saving
With landlord permission obtained and DNO notified, you can install. Most portable systems can be set up in under 2 hours. Connect to the app, start monitoring your generation, and watch your electricity bills fall.
Take it with you when you move
When your tenancy ends, unclip or fold away your system and take it with you. The next property with a suitable balcony gets the benefit of your investment.
Common Renter Concerns, Answered
Will it affect my deposit?
Not if you use a portable system with no structural fixings. Your deposit can only be withheld for damage or alterations, and a portable solar panel that leaves no marks is neither. Remove it when you leave, just as you'd take a portable appliance.
What if my landlord says no?
Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent for reasonable improvements. If refused, ask for the reason in writing, propose a no-drill alternative if you haven't already, and seek free advice from Citizens Advice or Shelter. See our guide on the Renters' Rights Act for more. If you live in a housing association property, see our housing association solar guide for specific advice.
Do I need to tell the landlord at all?
For a freestanding floor mount with no structural changes, there's an argument that you don't, since it's personal property like a fridge or a TV. But we recommend getting written permission anyway. It protects you if there's a later dispute, and most landlords will say yes quickly once they understand the system is portable.
What if I move to a property with no balcony?
The system will wait. Many renters store their balcony solar kit between tenancies or use it at their next property. You might also install it at a parent's or friend's property while in-between, generating savings for someone you care about in the meantime.
Can I claim the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for electricity exported to the grid. To claim it, you need MCS certification on your installation, which is not currently available for plug-in solar systems. In practice, balcony solar is best designed to maximise self-consumption (use what you generate) rather than export.
Battery systems (not plug-in kits)
The EcoFlow STREAM units linked here are battery systems, not ENA-registered plug-in kits. Anything with a battery isn't a plug-in kit. It needs an electrician and a G98 notification (why batteries are excluded). If you are renting and have no chance of a hardwired circuit, a verified plug-in kit is what you can fit yourself. If a hardwired install is allowed, the STREAM range is a battery option. Our EcoFlow STREAM review covers the models. On a tighter budget, the Plug-in Solar 600W Kit offers a no-frills alternative at around £399, with everything you need included.
The STREAM range at EcoFlow UK →Affiliate links: if you buy through a link on this page we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we list. Full disclosure