Solar panel installations on UK homes hit 180,000 in 2024, a record. Yet for the millions of renters, flat-dwellers, or homeowners with shaded roofs, full arrays remain out of reach. The i Paper’s expert-curated list of seven solar-powered gadgets offers a pragmatic alternative: small devices that charge from the sun and run without wiring, costing between £15 and £90.
As reported by The i Paper, the gadgets range from solar-powered security lights to portable power banks that can charge a phone twice on a sunny day. For a typical UK household using 2,900 kWh of electricity annually, shifting outdoor lighting and small device charging to solar can save roughly £20–£40 per year, modest, but meaningful when the price cap sits at £1,690.
What the gadgets cost, and what they save
The i Paper’s top picks include a solar motion-sensor light (£25), a solar phone charger (£35), and a solar-powered fan (£45). None require professional installation. Energy Saving Trust data suggests a solar garden light running six hours a night uses about 15 kWh per year if grid-powered, at current rates, that’s roughly £4 saved per light. A household replacing three outdoor lights and a phone charger could recoup the £100 outlay within two summers.
The catch: UK summer sunlight averages 4.5 peak sun hours per day in the south, dropping to 3.5 in Scotland. Gadgets with small panels (typically 5–20 watts) will charge slower or not at all on overcast days. Position panels in direct sun for at least four hours, which rules out north-facing gardens or heavily shaded patios.
EPC impact, minimal but not zero
Solar gadgets do not register on an Energy Performance Certificate. The EPC measures built-in fixtures: roof panels, heat pumps, insulation. Portable devices count as removable appliances, not permanent improvements. However, reducing grid electricity use by 100–200 kWh annually lowers a home’s carbon footprint by 20–40 kg CO₂, roughly equivalent to planting two trees. For renters who cannot alter the fabric of their property, this is the only route to personal energy savings.
Ofgem’s latest data shows that 11% of UK households, 3.1 million, live in flats or maisonettes where roof panels are impractical. For them, solar gadgets are not a compromise but a practical entry point. The i Paper’s list includes a solar-powered battery pack that can store up to 20,000 mAh, enough to run a laptop for six hours, and costs £60. That replaces about £15 of grid electricity per year, assuming three full charges per week.
Who should buy, and who should skip
Households with south-facing gardens or balconies, spending more than £50 a year on outdoor lighting and portable device charging, will benefit most. The i Paper’s experts favour brands with replaceable batteries and at least a two-year warranty, a sign that cheap, disposable units are not worth the plastic. Yet for homeowners planning a full solar array within two years, gadgets make little financial sense: the £100 spent on a charger and lights would be better saved toward a 4 kW system costing £5,000–£7,000.
The government’s 0% VAT scheme on energy-saving materials does not apply to portable gadgets, only to permanently installed products. So the full cost falls on the buyer. But with no planning permission needed and no electrician required, the barrier to entry is near zero.
Households interested can order from major retailers or directly from brands listed in The i Paper’s guide. Delivery takes 3–5 days. Summer solstice, 21 June, is the optimal date to install and test before the longer days of July and August. By September, the savings will start showing on the meter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but output drops significantly. A solar phone charger that delivers a full charge in 4 hours of summer sun may take 8–10 hours in December. For winter use, choose gadgets with larger battery storage (over 10,000 mAh) that can charge slowly over several days.
No. The EPC only measures built-in fixtures like roof panels or heat pumps. Portable solar gadgets are classed as removable appliances and do not affect the certificate. They still reduce your home's carbon footprint and electricity bills, but not your EPC score.
