The UK government has confirmed that it will proceed with the regulatory changes needed to allow the sale and use of plug-in solar systems, small photovoltaic devices designed to connect directly to a standard household socket.
The decision was announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) after reviewing 466 responses received during a public consultation held from 16 to 30 June 2026. More than 85% of respondents supported the proposed interim technical and safety specification.
The government considers plug-in solar a simpler and lower-cost alternative to conventional rooftop installations, particularly for renters, people living in flats and households without suitable roof space for solar panels.
The devices will comprise at least one photovoltaic module, a grid-connected inverter, the associated cables and a mounting system. The electricity generated can be used directly within the home by connecting the system to a standard British BS 1363 socket.
Current legislation does not provide a route for approving plugs used for electricity-generating equipment. Although the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 do not explicitly prohibit plug-in solar, the BS 1363 standard prevents plugs and sockets from being used to connect generating devices.
To remove this barrier, the government will introduce narrowly defined amendments to the regulations. These will create an approval route for standard plugs used with solar microgenerators, provided they meet all applicable technical and safety requirements.
The changes will apply only to plug-in solar. They will not cover plug-in batteries, solar systems incorporating battery storage or other forms of plug-in microgeneration.
The interim specification establishes a maximum output of 800 W for plug-in solar systems. Products must include electrical protection, anti-islanding measures, disconnection mechanisms and safeguards against fire risks. Specific requirements will also apply to modules, inverters, cables, connectors and mounting structures.
Manufacturers will be required to provide instructions covering circuit identification, suitable installation locations, prohibited uses and the circumstances in which consumers should seek professional advice.
Although 63% of respondents supported allowing one microinverter per household circuit, the G98 Engineering Recommendation currently limits installations to one device per household. The government said this restriction will remain until the corresponding amendment to G98 is introduced.
Consumers will also have to comply with the distribution network operator notification process and ensure that their home’s electrical installation is suitable.
DESNZ’s impact assessment estimates that an 800 W plug-in solar system currently costs around £400 to £600 in the European market, excluding any additional electrical or installation work. By comparison, conventional solar installations of up to 4 kW had a median installed cost of £1,595 per kilowatt in Great Britain in 2025-2026.
According to government estimates, a system installed at a 30-degree angle could generate approximately 690 kWh annually, with around 428 kWh consumed directly within the home. This could reduce electricity bills by approximately £110 per year.
A vertically mounted system, such as one installed on a wall or balcony, could generate around 378 kWh annually, with approximately 272 kWh used directly and estimated savings of about £70 per year.
Under the lowest-adoption scenario considered in the impact assessment, approximately 552,000 plug-in solar systems could be installed by the end of the 2030-2031 financial year. The analysis estimates a central net social benefit of £79.7 million over 15 years, although it acknowledges considerable uncertainty regarding future market uptake.
Most respondents considered the proposals a practical and proportionate first step towards expanding household access to renewable electricity. However, some raised concerns about electrical installations in older properties and the sale of non-compliant products through online marketplaces.
Other risks identified included the use of extension leads and adapters, the connection of several devices to the same circuit, the installation of panels on balconies or façades and the absence of consent from landlords or freeholders.
In response, the government strengthened the technical specification with additional requirements covering mounting, fire protection, circuit identification and installation conditions. It will also work with manufacturers, retailers, regulators and online marketplaces to prevent the sale of products that do not comply with the new framework.
The government response confirms the decision to proceed with the reform, but plug-in solar systems cannot yet be legally sold and used under the new framework.
DESNZ must adopt the regulatory amendments, publish the final version of the interim specification and prepare guidance for consumers, manufacturers and retailers before the rules enter into force.
The guidance will explain how to assess the suitability of a household circuit, when to seek professional advice, how to notify the distribution network operator and which permissions may be required for rented homes or residential buildings.
The government will also collect evidence from deployment and real-world use to support the development of permanent product standards that will eventually replace the interim specification.
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