The UK government has launched a public consultation to enable the use and sale of plug-in solar systems, a technology that would allow consumers to generate electricity using small photovoltaic panels connected directly to a standard household socket.
The consultation, launched by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), proposes amending existing regulations to allow these systems to be connected without the need for a conventional rooftop solar installation, provided they meet a set of safety and performance requirements.
The initiative aims to expand access to self-generation for groups that currently face greater barriers to installing traditional solar systems, including renters, apartment residents and households without suitable roof space for photovoltaic installations.
The proposal has received backing from some of the UK’s largest retailers. Amazon, Currys, B&Q, Lidl, Asda, Wickes and Screwfix took part in a government roundtable to discuss the potential of the technology and its future commercialization in the British market.
According to the government, plug-in solar systems could provide a more affordable way for households to reduce their reliance on grid electricity and lower part of their energy consumption costs.
The interim technical specification proposed by the government establishes a maximum output of 800 VA and a maximum current of 3.5 amps.
The systems must include a grid-connected microinverter, use standard UK household plugs and comply with a range of electrical safety, fire protection, electromagnetic compatibility and automatic disconnection requirements in the event of grid disturbances.
The proposal initially limits installations to one system per household and excludes products with integrated battery storage.
According to the government’s analysis, plug-in solar kits currently available in Europe cost between £400 and £600 for an 800 W system.
This is significantly lower than the average cost of a conventional residential solar installation in the UK, which stands at around £1,595 per kilowatt installed.
The government believes that this lower entry cost could help expand access to distributed solar generation for households that are unable to afford a full rooftop solar installation.
The consultation is supported by a technical study commissioned by the UK government to assess how these systems perform within domestic electrical installations.
The report concluded that plug-in solar systems can operate safely in UK homes without requiring modifications to existing wiring, consumer units or protection devices, provided they operate within the defined technical limits and comply with the proposed certification requirements.
The assessment examined thermal performance, overload protection, response to grid faults, electromagnetic compatibility and interactions with typical household electrical systems.
Solar Energy UK welcomed the regulatory progress and said the consultation will help establish a dedicated regulatory framework for a technology that previously lacked a clear legal pathway in the British market.
The association noted that the development of technical standards and safety requirements will provide greater certainty for manufacturers, retailers and consumers, while also supporting the integration of this new self-consumption category into the country’s electricity system.
The initiative forms part of the UK’s broader strategy to accelerate renewable energy deployment and achieve its clean power targets by 2030.
According to government figures, 269,000 solar installations were completed across the country in 2025, setting a new annual record. Around 255,000 of those were rooftop installations, accounting for approximately 95% of all new solar capacity deployed during the year.
The consultation will remain open until 30 June 2026 and will help shape the final regulatory framework that could allow plug-in solar products to enter the UK market in the coming months.
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