B&Q vs Screwfix vs Currys vs Wickes: Where's Cheapest for Plug-In Solar Right Now

Back in August, buying plug-in solar in the UK meant reading a government press release and waiting. Six weeks on from SI 2026 No. 848 coming into force and the EcoFlow STREAM launch, the picture has changed: kits are actually on shelves and in warehouses, and the retailers who briefed government back in the summer have started pricing and stocking them differently from each other. If you're ready to buy, the retailer you choose now genuinely affects what you pay and how long you wait.

We've pulled together what's actually happening at the four retailers UK buyers ask about most — B&Q, Screwfix, Currys and Wickes — plus where Amazon and Lidl fit in. This isn't the "who's expected to stock what" piece we ran in August; it's what's actually true now that plug-in microgenerators are a real, purchasable product category.

The short version

The rest of this guide goes through what actually differs beyond price — because for an electrical product installed on the outside of your house, stock reliability, returns handling and support matter as much as the number on the shelf edge label.

B&Q: the widest browsing experience

B&Q has leaned into being the general-purpose home for plug-in solar. It stocks the broadest range of any bricks-and-mortar UK retailer — multiple wattages, both panel-only and battery-inclusive kits, and a reasonable spread of mounting accessories sold alongside them. That breadth comes at a small premium versus the cheapest online-only listings, but it's the retailer most buyers describe as easiest to actually see a kit before committing, which matters if you've never handled a 400W panel and want a sense of size and weight.

B&Q's own installation and product advice staff have had the most consistent training since launch, largely because the retailer ran in-store product briefings ahead of 27 August. If you want to ask questions face-to-face — about your specific balcony, roof pitch, or which bracket kit fits your wall type — B&Q is currently the most reliable option for that.

Screwfix: fastest if you know what you want

Screwfix doesn't do browsing in the same way — it's built for people who already know the SKU they want and would rather click, collect, and be done in ten minutes. For plug-in solar that translates into a narrower range than B&Q, focused on the core 400W and 800W panel-only kits rather than the wider battery and accessory ecosystem. Prices on those core kits tend to be competitive, and Screwfix's trade customer base means tradespeople are increasingly picking up kits there on behalf of clients, particularly for balcony installations where a fitter is doing the mounting work.

If you already know exactly which kit you want — say, after reading our best plug-in solar kit guide — Screwfix's click & collect turnaround is usually the fastest route from decision to panels in hand.

Currys: the battery and finance specialist

Currys has positioned itself around battery-inclusive systems rather than panel-only kits, which makes sense given its existing relationship with EcoFlow and other power-station brands through portable power. This is where you're most likely to find EcoFlow STREAM stock, alongside finance and buy-now-pay-later options that B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes generally don't offer in the same way.

The trade-off is price: Currys' average basket for plug-in solar tends to run higher than the other three, partly because it's weighted toward pricier battery kits rather than budget panel-only options, and partly because its online-led model carries less of the promotional bundling B&Q uses in-store. If a battery is what you want and spreading the cost matters more than shaving pounds off the sticker price, Currys is worth checking first.

Wickes: the DIY-project bundle option

Wickes carries a smaller in-store plug-in solar range than B&Q but a reasonably deep online catalogue, and its natural strength is bundling — buying panels alongside decking, fencing, or garden-build materials for the same project. If you're doing a wider garden office or decking job and want solar for the same build, Wickes' project-bundling and delivery scheduling can work out more convenient than ordering from a separate retailer entirely.

Pricing sits in the middle of the pack — not the cheapest, not the most expensive — and stock levels have been the least consistent of the four core retailers, worth checking online before a wasted trip.

Amazon and Lidl: the wildcards

Amazon has by far the widest range of any UK retailer, spanning big brands and unfamiliar third-party sellers side by side, and it's genuinely the fastest way to compare specs and prices across many kits at once. That range is also the risk: not every listing is from a seller who'll be around for warranty support in two years, and price swings on the same kit are common. Stick to listings that clearly state UKCA marking and BS 1363 compliance, and be sceptical of anything priced dramatically below the rest of the market — see our guide on spotting a non-compliant kit before you buy from an unfamiliar seller.

Lidl's approach is different again: occasional in-store "special buy" drops rather than permanent stock, at genuinely the lowest headline prices when available. We've covered what you get and give up at that price point in our Lidl plug-in solar review — it's a legitimate option if your budget is tight and you can be flexible about timing rather than needing a kit this weekend.

What actually matters beyond the price tag

A few things are easy to overlook when comparing headline prices across retailers:

• Returns policy on an electrical outdoor product. Check whether a retailer accepts returns on an installed or mounted kit, not just an unopened box — see our guide to consumer rights if a kit turns out faulty.
• Whether accessories are bundled or separate. A cheaper headline price at one retailer can end up costing more once you add brackets, cable glands, or an extension bracket kit sold separately elsewhere.
• Delivery vs click & collect timing. If your installation window depends on a dry weekend, collection-based retailers like Screwfix reduce the risk of a delivery slipping past your plan.
• Warranty registration process. Some retailers register the manufacturer warranty automatically at purchase; with others, particularly marketplace sellers, you need to register it yourself — don't skip this step.

Whichever retailer you buy from, run through our buying checklist before paying, and confirm the kit matches the legal spec — 800VA/3.5A maximum output, BS 1363 plug, 5A fuse, no battery wired into the plug circuit itself, and no extension leads — covered in full in our complete guide to plug-in solar.

The bottom line

There's no single cheapest retailer for plug-in solar in the UK — it depends on whether you want a battery (Currys), the widest browsing experience (B&Q), the fastest collection (Screwfix), a bundled DIY project (Wickes), the broadest online range (Amazon), or the lowest possible price if you can wait for it (Lidl). Compare the actual kit spec first using our best plug-in solar kit guide, then shop that specific kit across two or three retailers before you buy — prices on identical kits can vary by £50–£100 between them even six weeks after launch.

Which retailer has the cheapest plug-in solar kits right now?

There's no single answer — Lidl's occasional special-buy stock tends to have the lowest headline price when available, while Screwfix is usually the most competitive retailer with reliable, ongoing stock. Currys tends to be the most expensive on average because its range leans toward pricier battery-inclusive kits.

Is it cheaper to buy plug-in solar direct from EcoFlow than through a retailer?

Not always. EcoFlow runs its own promotions and sales directly, so it's worth comparing the direct price against retailer listings before buying — sometimes a retailer bundle with free accessories works out better value than the base unit price alone.

Do all UK retailers sell the same plug-in solar kits?

No. Retailers stock different brands and configurations — Currys leans toward battery-inclusive systems like the EcoFlow STREAM, while B&Q and Screwfix carry a wider mix of panel-only kits from several manufacturers. Always check the exact model and spec rather than assuming kits are interchangeable across retailers.