The government published the Future Homes Standard (FHS) on 24 March 2026 and, alongside it, announced the acceleration of plans to introduce plug-in solar panels1. The FHS sets design requirements for new homes in England, delivered through updates to Part L, which governs energy efficiency, and Part F, which governs ventilation, of the Building Regulations 20101. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved powers to set their own rules1.
The updates come into force on 24 March 2027 for most properties, with a 12-month transition period: homes with foundations laid between 24 March 2027 and 24 March 2028 can still be built to the previous standards, and after 24 March 2028 all developments must meet FHS requirements1. For higher-risk buildings, defined as at least 18 metres tall or having at least seven storeys, the rules take effect later, on 24 September 20271.
From 24 March 2028, all new build homes in England must have a renewable energy generation system such as solar panels, with recommended coverage of 40% of the home's ground floor area1. Higher-risk buildings and buildings connected to heat networks are exempt1. New homes must also use low-carbon heating, with heat pumps anticipated as the primary route to compliance; no specific heat pump technology is mandated1. The government stated that from 2028 no new build home in England will be connected to the gas network1.
On plug-in solar, the government said it would work with retailers including Lidl and Iceland and manufacturers including EcoFlow2. The wiring regulation update BS 7671 Amendment 4 came into force on 15 April 2026, allowing a small generator to connect through a normal domestic socket2. DESNZ published the final version of its product specification on 16 July 20262, and the rule letting a certified kit connect through a socket becomes law on 27 August 2026 under SI 2026/8482. As of 31 July 2026, no plug-in product had been certified2. The limit is one device per household, and every system needs a DNO notification (G98) before it goes live2.
"Whilst the risk remains low, without wiring regulation changes and under certain conditions, plug-in solar PV systems connected to standard household sockets can cause overheating or impair the operation of protective devices (such as RCDs) in a property."
In June 2026, five bodies including the Electrical Contractors' Association said that without proper safety procedures ahead of the rollout "there is a serious risk of avoidable hazards in homes", while a government-commissioned safety study published the same month concluded that plug-in PV is compatible with UK domestic electrical systems3.
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single 400W plug-in panel | 320 to 380 kWh a year | 2 |
| Legal maximum 800W kit | 640 to 760 kWh a year | 2 |
| Typical 4kWp rooftop system, southern England | 3,400 to 3,800 kWh a year | 2 |
| Government estimate, single plug-in panel | £70 to £110 a year saving | 2 |
| Independent estimate, without storage | £40 to £85 a year | 2 |
| Typical 4kW rooftop system installed cost | £6,000 to £8,000 | 2 |
Estimates of plug-in savings vary between sources: the government's original figure was £70 to £110 a year on a roughly £400 outlay2, while EcoFlow has said its two-panel system "can help you save up to £115 per year on energy costs"3. A typical two-panel kit with microinverter costs around £5003, and kits are expected in major retailers at roughly £400 to £5004.
Why it matters for households
The FHS does not apply to existing homes, so it changes nothing about the property a householder already lives in1. Its relevance to energy independence is indirect: it sets the direction for how new homes generate and heat, and it sits alongside the Warm Homes Plan, which funds retrofitting of existing homes in England1. The government suggested the FHS measures could save families up to £830 a year on energy bills and cut carbon emissions by at least 75% compared with homes built to 2013 standards1.
Plug-in solar is the part aimed at existing households, particularly renters, flat owners and homes without usable roof space2. A kit connects through a socket rather than the consumer unit, so it offsets daytime consumption rather than supplying the whole home5. Output is capped at 800W, roughly a quarter to a fifth of a typical rooftop system's annual generation2. Plug-in kits are portable appliances rather than fixtures, so they add nothing to a property's valuation, unlike owned rooftop panels2. Until a product is certified, the compliant way to connect any plug-in system remains through a qualified electrician2.
What happens next
The FHS takes effect on 24 March 2027 for most properties, 24 September 2027 for higher-risk buildings, and applies to all developments from 24 March 20281. The rule allowing a certified plug-in kit to connect through a socket becomes law on 27 August 20262. The government has said it is exploring support for lower-income households through the Warm Homes Plan, with up to £25 million earmarked for possible plug-in solar pilots delivered with local authorities and mayors5. Consumer guidance is expected alongside commencement of the new rules4.
Sources5 cited
- What the Future Homes Standard means for homeowners | NICEIC, niceic.com
- Are Plug-In Solar Panels Worth It?, blog.spiritenergy.co.uk
- Plug-in solar panels: are they worth it? UK, 2026, sunsave.energy
- £400 Plug-In Solar in the UK: Is It Worth Buying? - Jackery UK – Jackery United Kingdom, uk.jackery.com
- UK Plug-In Solar Is Coming Within Months: Where Jackery Fits In - Jackery UK – Jackery United Kingdom, uk.jackery.com