Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit
- Panels
- 1 × 460 W
- Output
- 800 W
- Cells
- N-type i-TOPCon monocrystalline, 144 half-cut cells
- Warranty
- 25 yrs panels
Last seen price
£549.98
Not in stock at any of 3 retailers
90-day low £549.98 (lowest now)
Plug In Solar Ltd · · all prices
Stock . We haven’t tested this kit ourselves; figures come from the maker, retailers, the ENA register and PVGIS. How we get our data.
How it ranks
Every stat compared with all the ENA-compliant kits on sale in the UK, recalculated for your home.
For Birmingham, south-facing on a garden stand (30°), medium daytime use.
Overall rank
#23 of 24
Of the 24 ENA-compliant kits with a UK price, this is the 23rd best value for your setup, at 13p per kWh over 10 years.
Strong on
lost to the 800 W cap (1st), used in your home (2nd), panel warranty (5th)
Weak on
cost per kWh over 10 years (23rd), saving a year (22nd), price per watt of panel (23rd), electricity a year (22nd), panel power (22nd)
Value for money
Cost per kWh over 10 years
Price ÷ the electricity it makes in 10 years. The fairest single measure of value; this is the overall rank.
13p
13pbest 4.9pCost per kWh over 10 years: 13p; range 13p to 4.9p.23rdof 24
Pays for itself in
Years until bill savings cover the price.
6.1 yrs
7.5 yrsbest 3.7 yrsPays for itself in: 6.1 yrs; range 7.5 yrs to 3.7 yrs.12thof 24
Saving a year
Electricity used at home × your unit rate, plus any export payment.
£91
£89best £130Saving a year: £91; range £89 to £130.=22ndof 24
Price
Best in-stock price we found (last seen price if none in stock).
£549.98
£963.04best £336Price: £549.98; range £963.04 to £336.11thof 24
Price per watt of panel
Price ÷ total panel power. Cheap watts only help up to the 800 W output cap.
£1.20/W
£1.26/Wbest £0.45/WPrice per watt of panel: £1.20/W; range £1.26/W to £0.45/W.23rdof 24
Output
Electricity a year
PVGIS solar data for your location and direction, after shading and the 800 W output cap.
441 kWh
426 kWhbest 1181 kWhElectricity a year: 441 kWh; range 426 kWh to 1181 kWh.=22ndof 24
Panel power
Total rated panel power (DC). More panel power fills the 800 W cap for more of the day.
460 Wp
445 Wpbest 1260 WpPanel power: 460 Wp; range 445 Wp to 1260 Wp.=22ndof 24
Lost to the 800 W cap
Share of the panels’ output above 800 W on bright days, which is wasted.
0%
2.2%best 0%Lost to the 800 W cap: 0%; range 2.2% to 0%.=1stof 24
Used in your home
Share of the output your home uses as it’s made (the rest goes to the grid).
81%
44%best 83%Used in your home: 81%; range 44% to 83%.=2ndof 24
Hardware
Panel efficiency
From the panel datasheet. Higher means more power from the same area.
23%
22.3%best 23.3%Panel efficiency: 23%; range 22.3% to 23.3%.=9thof 12
Inverter peak efficiency
From the inverter datasheet.
96.7%
96.7%best 97%Inverter peak efficiency: 96.7%; range 96.7% to 97%.=9thof 22
Panel warranty
Product warranty on the panels, from the maker.
25 yrs
10 yrsbest 30 yrsPanel warranty: 25 yrs; range 10 yrs to 30 yrs.=5thof 22
Inverter warranty
Warranty on the microinverter, from the maker.
10 yrs
10 yrsbest 12 yrsInverter warranty: 10 yrs; range 10 yrs to 12 yrs.=11thof 24
Availability
Retailers with it in stock
UK retailers we track that have it in stock right now.
0
0best 0Retailers with it in stock: 0; range 0 to 0.=1stof 24
Each line shows every ranked kit as a dot, worst on the left and best on the right; this kit is the large yellow dot. “Not published” means the maker doesn’t state it, so it isn’t ranked. How we rank.
Where to buy
| Retailer | Price | Stock | Checked | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug In Solar Ltd with Ground/Wall Mounts | £549.98 | Unknown | View Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit at Plug In Solar Ltd | |
| Thunder Energy Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit | £549.99 | Unknown | View Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit at Thunder Energy | |
| EcoWizard Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit | £550 | Unknown | View Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit at EcoWizard | |
| Plug In Solar Ltd with Flat Roof Mounts | £584.98 | Unknown | View Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit at Plug In Solar Ltd |
What it would make for you
For Birmingham, south-facing on a garden stand (30°), no shading, medium daytime use.
- Output
- 441 kWh/yr
- Saving
- £91 /yr
- Pays back in
- 6.1 years
- Cost per kWh
- 13p over 10 yrs
| Month | kWh |
|---|---|
| Jan | 16 |
| Feb | 23 |
| Mar | 38 |
| Apr | 50 |
| May | 55 |
| Jun | 55 |
| Jul | 55 |
| Aug | 49 |
| Sep | 41 |
| Oct | 28 |
| Nov | 18 |
| Dec | 14 |
- About 81% used in your home at 25.33p/kWh (West Midlands price cap rate).
Full specifications
Panels
- Panels
- 1 × 460 W
- Total panel power (DC)
- 460 Wp
- Panel model
- Thunder Bolt 460W
- Cell type
- N-type i-TOPCon monocrystalline, 144 half-cut cells
- Bifacial
- Not published
- Efficiency
- 23%
- Size (each)
- 1,762 × 1,134 × 30 mm
- Weight (each)
- 21 kg
- Construction
- Glass-glass (1.6 mm front / 1.6 mm rear)
- Frame
- Black anodised aluminium
- Temperature coefficient (Pmax)
- -0.29%/°C
- Open-circuit voltage (Voc)
- 53.8 V
- Voltage at max power (Vmp)
- 45.4 V
- Short-circuit current (Isc)
- 10.81 A
- Current at max power (Imp)
- 10.14 A
Inverter
- Model
- Thunder Bolt 800 VA dual-MPPT microinverter
- Max output (AC)
- 800 W
- MPPT inputs
- 2
- Peak efficiency
- 96.7%
- MPPT voltage range
- 16–60 V
- Max input current (per input)
- 14 A
- Weatherproofing
- IP67
- Monitoring
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, S-Miles Home app
- Inverter weight
- 3.2 kg
Installation
- Mounting included
- Bolt mounting bracket set (hangs panel from railing, wall or ground; flat roof option depending on selection)
- Plug / connection
- UK 3-pin plug into a standard household socket
- Cable length
- 5 m
- In the box
- Bolt 460W solar module x1, Bolt 800 VA microinverter x1, AC connection cable x1 (5 m), Mounting bracket set x1, DC extension cables x2, Protective DC (MC4) caps x2, Disconnect tools (A & B) x2, Installation guide x1
Warranty and compliance
- Panel warranty
- 25 years
- Panel performance warranty
- 87.4% min. after 30 years
- Inverter warranty
- 10 years
- ENA register
- THUNE/21203/V1 (compliant)
Notes from our research: Single 460 W panel uses 1 of the microinverter's 2 MPPT inputs (second capped); can be expanded to the 920W configuration. ENA ref THUNE/21203/V1. Microinverter: recommended module power 320-540 W+ per input (no hard max W per channel given), max input 65 V, start 22 V, max short-circuit current 2 x 25 A, MPPT efficiency 99.8%, galvanically isolated HF transformer, 261 x 180 x 35.1 mm. Panel: power tolerance 0/+5 W, 1500 V DC max system voltage, 5400/4000 Pa load. Datasheet says 'dual glass' but does not state bifacial, so bifacial left null. Panel performance: max 1% first-year, 0.4%/yr thereafter. Datasheet notes DNO notification under G98 still applies. The monitoring app is S-Miles Home (the Hoymiles app), suggesting a Hoymiles-built inverter, but Thunder does not name the OEM.
Sources for these specs (3)
- ecowizard.co.uk (retailer listing): Thunder Bolt datasheet: all panel electrical/mechanical data, temp coefficient, warranties, microinverter specs, kit contents, 5 m AC cable, ENA refs
- ecowizard.co.uk (retailer listing): install manual: box contents, bracket for railing/wall/ground, S-Miles Home app, Bolt Plus uses fused spur
- ecowizard.co.uk (retailer listing): ENA ref THUNE/21203/V1, connects through a standard UK household socket, phone monitoring
Good for: Gardens, Walls, Flat roofs (based on the mounting included)
Every compliant kit, ranked
This kit is highlighted. Click any column to rank by it.
For Birmingham, south-facing on a garden stand (30°), medium daytime use.
| Rank | Kit | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  City Plumbing DMEGC 1030W Hoymiles HiFlow KitCity PlumbingUnknown | 4.9p | 3.8 yrs | £124 | 985 kWh | £468 | £0.45/W | 1030 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 2 |  City Plumbing DMEGC 930W Hoymiles HiFlow KitCity PlumbingUnknown | 5.1p | 3.7 yrs | £120 | 891 kWh | £444 | £0.48/W | 930 Wp | 23.3% | 25 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 3 |  EcoFlow STREAM Adjustable Facade KitEcoFlowUnknown | 6.0p | 4 yrs | £114 | 766 kWh | £449 | £0.56/W | 800 Wp | – | – | 10 yrs |
| 4 |  City Plumbing DMEGC 515W Hoymiles HiFlow KitCity PlumbingUnknown | 7.2p | 3.7 yrs | £96 | 493 kWh | £348 | £0.68/W | 515 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 5 |  City Plumbing DMEGC 525W Hoymiles HiFlow KitCity PlumbingUnknown | 7.3p | 3.8 yrs | £97 | 503 kWh | £360 | £0.69/W | 525 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 6 |  EcoFlow STREAM Roof KitEcoFlowUnknown | 7.3p | 4.9 yrs | £114 | 766 kWh | £549 | £0.69/W | 800 Wp | – | – | 10 yrs |
| 7 |  City Plumbing DMEGC 475W Hoymiles HiFlow KitCity PlumbingUnknown | 7.6p | 3.7 yrs | £92 | 455 kWh | £336 | £0.71/W | 475 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 8 |  City Plumbing DMEGC 465W Hoymiles HiFlow KitCity PlumbingUnknown | 7.7p | 3.7 yrs | £91 | 446 kWh | £336 | £0.72/W | 465 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 9 |  UKSOL Pro Max 1260W Hybrid Mount KitUKSOLUnknown | 8.3p | 7.5 yrs | £130 | 1181 kWh | £963.04 | £0.76/W | 1260 Wp | 23.3% | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 10 |  PatioSun DuoPatioSunUnknown | 8.4p | 6 yrs | £118 | 853 kWh | £699 | £0.79/W | 890 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 11 | Perlight PowerPlug MAX 1000WPerlight SolarUnknown | 8.7p | 6.7 yrs | £122 | 957 kWh | £810 | £0.81/W | 1000 Wp | 23.1% | 30 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 12 |  Thunder Bolt 920W Plug-In Solar KitThunder EnergyUnknown | 8.7p | 6.4 yrs | £119 | 881 kWh | £749.99 | £0.82/W | 920 Wp | 23% | 25 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 13 |  PatioSun MaxPatioSunUnknown | 9.0p | 6.4 yrs | £118 | 853 kWh | £749 | £0.84/W | 890 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 14 |  PatioSun Max+PatioSunUnknown | 9.0p | 6.6 yrs | £119 | 881 kWh | £779 | £0.85/W | 920 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 15 |  UKSOL Pro Plus 1030W Hybrid Mount KitUKSOLUnknown | 9.0p | 7.2 yrs | £124 | 985 kWh | £871.40 | £0.85/W | 1030 Wp | 23.2% | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 16 | Perlight PowerPlug MAX 930WPerlight SolarUnknown | 9.2p | 6.8 yrs | £120 | 891 kWh | £798 | £0.86/W | 930 Wp | 23.2% | 30 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 17 | UKSOL Pro Duo 890W Hybrid Mount KitUKSOLUnknown | 10p | 7.3 yrs | £118 | 853 kWh | £849 | £0.95/W | 890 Wp | 22.3% | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 18 |  UKSOL Pro Duo 890W Ground Mount KitUKSOLUnknown | 10p | 7.3 yrs | £118 | 853 kWh | £849 | £0.95/W | 890 Wp | 22.3% | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 19 |  PatioSun LitePatioSunUnknown | 11p | 5.1 yrs | £89 | 426 kWh | £449 | £1.01/W | 445 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 20 |  UKSOL Pro Compact 515W Hybrid Mount KitUKSOLUnknown | 12p | 6.2 yrs | £96 | 493 kWh | £583.39 | £1.13/W | 515 Wp | 23.2% | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 21 |  UKSOL Pro Compact 460W Ground Mount KitUKSOLUnknown | 12p | 5.9 yrs | £91 | 441 kWh | £529 | £1.15/W | 460 Wp | – | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 22 | Perlight PowerPlug MAX 500WPerlight SolarUnknown | 13p | 6.4 yrs | £94 | 479 kWh | £594 | £1.19/W | 500 Wp | 23.1% | 30 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 23 |  Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit(this kit)Thunder EnergyUnknown | 13p | 6.1 yrs | £91 | 441 kWh | £549.98 | £1.20/W | 460 Wp | 23% | 25 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 24 | Perlight PowerPlug MAX 465WPerlight SolarUnknown | 13p | 6.5 yrs | £91 | 446 kWh | £588 | £1.26/W | 465 Wp | 23.2% | 30 yrs | 12 yrs |
Only ENA-compliant kits with a UK price are ranked. Highlighted = best in each column. Click a column to rank by it; overall rank is cost per kWh over 10 years. “–” means the maker doesn’t publish it. How we rank.
Price and stock history
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Questions
Is the Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit compliant in the UK?
Yes. Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit is listed as Compliant on the ENA type-test register (THUNE/21203/V1), which the GB rules require for plug-in solar.
Where is the Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit in stock?
Not in stock at Plug In Solar Ltd for £549.98. We check 4 listings regularly; see the table for each retailer.
How much electricity does the Thunder Bolt 460W Plug-In Solar Kit generate?
About 441 kWh a year facing south on a garden stand in Birmingham, from PVGIS data with the 800W output cap applied. Set your own postcode and direction for your figure.