About PlugPayback

What is this site?

PlugPayback is an independent tool site about plug-in solar: one to four panels and a small inverter that plug into an ordinary socket. It answers two questions for your home. Is a kit allowed where you live? And how much power is worth buying, at what price, and how fast does it pay for itself?

Whether you rent a flat with a balcony or own a house with a garden wall, the site is built for people who have heard of these kits and want numbers before they spend money.

Why we built it

Plug-in solar is new in many places. The rules differ by country and by US state and keep changing, kits come in a handful of sizes with prices that do not rise in step with their power, and most calculators online are run by the shops that sell the kits. We wanted one place that gives a plain answer and shows its working.

Where the numbers come from

Solar yield comes from the EU's PVGIS and from NREL PVWatts. Electricity prices come from published averages, and you can type your own. Rules come from the laws, standards and official guidance of each place, and every rules page links to its source and lists what is still being confirmed. Kit prices are read from the shops' own pages. The formulas and sources are on the methodology page.

If you spot an error or believe a rule has changed, please email us at info@plugpayback.com. We check every report and correct the site when an error is confirmed.

Important disclaimer

This site is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any manufacturer, shop, energy supplier, grid operator or public authority. Results are estimates shown as a range, not financial, legal or electrical advice. Rules and prices can change after we last checked them.

Before you buy or install a kit, check the current rules where you live, your lease or building rules, and your energy supplier or grid operator.

How the site pays for itself

The site is free, with no sign-up and no ads. Some product links are affiliate links and are labelled as such. Details are on how we make money.

Who runs this site?

PlugPayback is operated by Upcloud Lda, a Portuguese company (NIF PT514564016).

Contact

Found an error or have a suggestion? We welcome corrections that make this site more accurate. Reach us at info@plugpayback.com.