As the UK embraces plug-in solar, TSUN is introducing its expertise and a comprehensive product ecosystem to British households.
The UK residential solar market is evolving. With plug-in solar now allowed and battery storage gaining importance, future growth will depend on manufacturers' ability to deliver complete, adaptable solutions for various homes and installation needs.
TSUN has built experience in the European plug-in solar market, particularly in Germany and other regions where balcony solar is well established. Now, as the UK opens to plug-in solar, TSUN is leveraging this experience and its full product ecosystem for British consumers.
In this interview, Ellen Xue, Sales VP at TSUN, spoke with Solar Power Portal at Solar and Storage Live in Birmingham. She discusses TSUN's response to the UK's plug-in solar opportunity, the value of its European experience, how its DC-coupled storage solution aligns with evolving regulations, and why the company prioritizes safety, easier installation, and smarter energy management alongside microinverter efficiency.
Solar Power Portal: The UK has recently opened the door to plug-in solar. How is TSUN responding to this new market opportunity?
Ellen Xue: We view the opening of the UK plug-in solar market as a significant opportunity for residential solar. TSUN has been active in the European plug-in solar market for many years. Instead of offering only a microinverter, we have developed the complete ESK - Easy Solar Kit - solution.
For the UK, our products have achieved G98 compliance and are listed with ENA. We provide various configurations to suit different homes and installation scenarios, including Pop-Up, Universal, and Air Vertical solutions. Our aim is to bring our European experience to the UK, making home solar safer, simpler, and more flexible.
Storage is also becoming important for plug-in solar. While the UK framework for plug-in battery storage is still developing, what solution can TSUN provide?
This is a key question. Solar and storage naturally complement each other, though the UK’s regulatory framework for plug-in battery storage is still evolving. TSUN offers the DCU - a DC-coupled storage solution. Solar energy is managed on the DC side and can be stored in the battery first. The stored energy is then supplied to the microinverter, which connects the system to the home and the grid.
The energy flow is straightforward:
PV → DCU / Battery → Microinverter → Home & Grid
In this setup, the battery remains on the DC side, while the microinverter connects to the grid. This provides a flexible technical approach for combining plug-in solar with energy storage.
TSUN has been active in the European balcony solar market for several years. What experience does that bring to the UK?
Plug-in solar is not new for TSUN. We have years of experience in the European balcony solar market, especially in Germany. Through this, we learned that consumers need more than just a microinverter - they need a complete solution that is safe, easy to install, and suitable for different types of homes.
This led us to develop ESK as a full product family, with various mounting options like Pop-Up and Universal, as well as different module configurations, including standard modules and Air Vertical solutions. We are not just bringing a single product to the UK, but an entire ecosystem backed by years of European experience.
As a company with microinverter technology at its core, what makes TSUN's microinverter solutions particularly relevant to the UK market?
The main advantage is safety and module-level energy management. Unlike traditional string systems, each module operates independently, reducing high-voltage DC exposure on rooftops and enabling module-level monitoring and optimization.
We have also prioritized simplifying installation. Our daisy-chain architecture, for example, streamlines the AC connection between microinverters. In the UK, where installation labor can be costly, reducing cabling, installation time, and connection points can make a significant difference.
For export limitation, we offer a wired RS485 solution in addition to wireless options, enhancing communication stability and reliability. For larger residential and small commercial projects, our range includes single-phase microinverters up to 3 kW, while selected smaller systems can communicate directly without an external DTU.
Our focus extends beyond efficiency to include safety, easier installation, reliable control, and smarter energy management.
What about UK homeowners who already have solar installed? How can they add storage without replacing their existing PV system?
This is another important market for us. For homes with existing PV systems, we offer the MAU AC-coupled energy storage portfolio. A key benefit of AC coupling is that homeowners can add battery storage without replacing their current PV inverter, making it ideal for the UK’s existing residential solar market.
We provide solutions for different home sizes and energy needs - from 2.5 kW / 5 kWh and 3.6 kW / 7.68 kWh systems to modular, stackable options for greater power and capacity. Paired with a smart meter and energy management system, MAU can also work with dynamic electricity tariffs, charging when prices are low and using stored energy when prices are high.
Whether a homeowner is installing solar for the first time or already has PV on the roof, our goal is to offer the right solar and storage solution.
.svg)
