The UK Government announced in March 2026 that plug-in solar would be available in UK shops within months1. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) made the announcement, which formed part of a package of clean-energy measures published on 15 March to "boost" energy security2. The government said it will work with relevant bodies to update electrical regulations to allow the use of plug-in solar2, and specifically to update the G98 distribution code and BS 7671 wiring regulations so households can connect sub-800W plug-in solar panels to domestic mains sockets3. It said it will work with the Energy Networks Association, Distribution Network Operators, Ofgem and relevant safety bodies4.
Plug-in solar panels are currently not legal to install in a UK home5. Current UK standards only permit solar power generation that is permanently connected, meaning wired into the mains rather than plugged into a socket5. Freestanding and portable panels are already on sale in the UK but are only legal for off-grid use5. The government's announcement suggests regulations will be relaxed to allow their use5.
The government estimates a plug-in panel system could save a household between £70 and £110 a year5. Carbon Brief's cost-benefit analysis found plug-in solar could provide 400kWh of electricity each year, enough to meet 15% of demand for a typical household, saving £110 annually, with the typical upfront cost of around £500 for an 800W system paid back within five years and total net savings of £1,100 over a 15-year lifespan2. Those savings assume a fixed unit cost of 27p/kWh, based on predictions for July 20262. Which? puts typical system cost at £400 to £500, typical annual generation at up to 720kWh, payback at 3.6 to 7.1 years and typical warranty at 10 years5. Jackery estimates small single-panel kits at £300 to £500 and larger kits at £500 to £900 or more3.
| Measure | Plug-in panels | Rooftop panels |
|---|---|---|
| Typical system size | 800W max | 4.6kW |
| Typical system cost | £400 to £500 (estimated) | £7,400 |
| Typical annual generation | Up to 720kWh (estimated) | 3,800 to 4,350kWh |
| Typical annual savings | £70 to £110 | £605 to £675 |
| Payback time | 3.6 to 7.1 years | 10.9 to 12.2 years |
| Typical warranty | 10 years | 25 years |
Source: Which?5
Plug-in solar panels are already legal in all EU member states except Sweden and Hungary5. EU countries typically allow plug-in systems up to 800W without grid operator permission, subject to registration requirements, and products must meet safety standards including anti-islanding protection and CE marking5. Germany has more than a million systems installed between 2022 and 2025, with prices there halving over recent years and small systems now costing as little as €2005. Carbon Brief reports official German registrations exceeding 1m installations, with the actual number possibly up to 4m2.
The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned that some older homes may have wiring or protection devices not designed for electricity flowing back into a circuit5. Older consumer units may contain residual current devices that do not trip properly, meaning they do not offer shock protection when a fault occurs5. NAPIT, a certification body and training provider, said the announcement around plug-in solar panels without the need for a qualified electrician "does raise concerns over safety"6.
"The ease of installation and adoption of these technologies at new build stage compared to retrofitting an existing home are much more cost effective, efficient and attractive to homeowners."
Separately, the government says that from March 2028 new homes will be built with solar panels and heat pumps under the Future Homes Standard, with some exceptions including high-rise buildings6. From 2027, new-build homes will need to emit 75% less carbon than those built under the 2013 standards1. Residential solar receives a zero rate of VAT until 31 March 20271.
Why it matters for households
For a household that cannot fit rooftop solar, whether because of tenure, roof orientation or cost, a plug-in solar kit is a route to generating some electricity on site. The figures put the scale in context: a plug-in system at 800W maximum is a fraction of the 4.6kW typical rooftop system, and its annual output meets roughly 15% of a typical household's demand5. Savings depend heavily on how much of the output is used in the home as it is generated, since exported power from very small systems has uncertain treatment3. Carbon Brief notes that if a household uses only 50% of output, annual savings fall to around £60, and that if electricity prices rose to 34p/kWh for a prolonged period, annual savings could reach around £1402.
Safety and wiring condition are central. The IET advises homes to get wiring checked before installing plug-in products2, and Which? notes that concerns will remain over the suitability of kits for older UK homes even after the expected revisions to the grid code and wiring regulations5. Renters and leaseholders may need landlord or freeholder permission, and mounting must be secure5. For homes considering storage alongside solar, hybrid inverters combine solar and battery functions in one unit, though the sources do not state whether such units are covered by the proposed plug-in rules.
What happens next
The government said it will work with relevant bodies to update electrical regulations to allow plug-in solar2. The changes involve the G98 distribution code and BS 7671 wiring regulations for systems below 800W3. No date for the regulatory change has been reported. Which? states that plug-in panels remain illegal for use in the UK at the time of writing and that it will update its advice when further information is available5. Amazon and Lidl have been named as retailers working with government to roll the products out5; Carbon Brief also names Sainsbury's2. The final UK framework, supplier requirements, DNO guidance and metering setup have not been reported4.
Sources6 cited
- [](https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PN-0771/POST-PN-0771.pdf), researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk
- Analysis: How 'plug-in solar' can save UK homes £1,100 on energy bills - Carbon Brief, carbonbrief.org
- Is Plug-in Legal in the UK? Why More and More Households Choose Plug-in Solar in 2026? - Jackery UK – Jackery United Kingdom, uk.jackery.com
- What Is Plug-in Solar? How Do Plug-in Solar Panels Work? Ultimate Guide - Jackery UK – Jackery United Kingdom, uk.jackery.com
- How do plug-in solar panels work? Rooftop vs. 'plug-in' solar compared - Which?, which.co.uk
- NAPIT Welcomes Future Homes Standards Announcement, napit.org.uk