Best Appliances to Run on Plug-In Solar (UK Guide)
Which household appliances match plug-in solar output best? We rank them by wattage, run time, and savings potential.
Matching Appliances to Solar Output
An 800W plug-in solar system produces up to 800W in peak sunshine, but typically averages 300-500W across a sunny day. The best appliances to run on solar are those that:
- Run during daylight hours
- Have wattage below your solar output
- Run frequently enough to make a meaningful saving
Top Appliances for Plug-In Solar
Always-On Devices (24/7, partly covered by solar)
| Device | Wattage | Annual cost | Solar covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge/freezer | 30-80W | £65-175 | Daytime only (~50%) |
| WiFi router | 10-15W | £22-33 | Daytime only (~50%) |
| Smart home hub | 5-10W | £11-22 | Daytime only (~50%) |
| Standby devices | 20-50W | £43-109 | Daytime only (~50%) |
These run continuously and are automatically covered during solar hours — no scheduling needed.
Schedulable Appliances (run during solar peak)
| Device | Wattage | Per use | Saving per use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | 400-600W | 1-1.5 kWh | 24-37p |
| Dishwasher | 1000-1800W | 1-1.5 kWh | 24-37p |
| Tumble dryer | 2000-3000W | 2-4 kWh | 49-98p |
| Iron | 1000-2500W | 0.5-1 kWh | 12-24p |
Schedule these for peak solar hours (10am-3pm) using smart plugs or delay-start functions.
Work-From-Home Devices
| Device | Wattage | Daily use | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop | 30-60W | 8hr | £21-44 |
| Desktop PC | 150-300W | 8hr | £80-175 |
| Monitor | 20-40W | 8hr | £14-29 |
| Desk lamp | 5-15W | 8hr | £4-11 |
Home office users are ideal for plug-in solar — your work hours align perfectly with generation. See our home office guide.
- 800W dual-panel plug-in solar kit
- 600Wh battery with smart scheduling
- App monitoring with real-time generation data
- Balcony, garden & flat-roof mounts available
Appliances to Avoid Running on Solar Alone
- Kettle (3000W): Exceeds 800W system output — draws the rest from grid
- Electric oven (2000-3000W): Same issue — partially covered at best
- Electric shower (7000-10000W): Far exceeds system capacity
These appliances can still benefit from solar (they'll use solar + grid), but they'll never be fully powered by an 800W system.
Can I run a tumble dryer on 800W solar?
A tumble dryer draws 2000-3000W, so it will draw the difference from the grid. However, your solar still displaces 800W of the demand during operation.
What's the single best appliance for solar savings?
Your fridge/freezer — it runs 24/7, and solar covers it during daylight hours automatically with zero effort.
See how much plug-in solar could save you — with real data for your postcode.