The government published its response to the plug-in solar consultation on 16 July 2026, setting out its intention to proceed with amendments to the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 (PSSR) and with the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification (IPS)1. The consultation ran from 1pm on 16 June 2026 to 11:59pm on 30 June 2026 and received 466 responses from trade associations, energy suppliers, electricians, regulatory bodies, manufacturers, think tanks, academics, network operators, local and community groups and members of the public1.
The proposed PSSR amendments are narrow in scope. They would create a route for approving standard plugs intended for use with plug-in solar microgenerators where the plug complies with all relevant BS 1363 requirements; such plugs cannot currently be approved because BS 1363 prohibits the use of plugs for connecting electricity-generating devices to socket-outlets1. The IPS sets out minimum technical and safety requirements, and only plug-in solar devices compliant with it will be able to be sold in the UK and plugged in under the PSSR amendment1. The IPS applies specifically to plug-in solar products and does not extend to other plug-in technologies, such as plug-in batteries1. The government did not consult on amendments to the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (ESQCR)1.
Over 85% of respondents agreed with the proposed IPS, and a majority also supported the proposed PSSR amendments, with many considering them a practical and proportionate first step1. A minority raised concerns about the safety of electrical installations in older properties, the availability of non-compliant products through online marketplaces, and the possibility that the changes could be wrongly interpreted as applying to other plug-in technologies such as plug-in batteries1. Respondents also emphasised the importance of clear consumer information1.
"Having considered this feedback, the government intends to proceed with the proposed amendments to the PSSR and the IPS, with refinements made in response to consultation feedback."
The government's stated aim is to allow consumers to connect plug-in solar systems without batteries directly to a standard mains socket, provided products meet defined safety requirements1. A separate manufacturer guide states that on 24 March 2026 the government announced plans to make plug-in solar systems below 800W available to UK households without requiring an electrician, provided they meet tailored safety requirements2. That guide gives illustrative annual generation figures, which are estimates rather than guarantees2:
| Installation | Example annual generation |
|---|---|
| 400W, south-facing and unshaded | 300 to 400kWh |
| 400W, east- or west-facing | 240 to 350kWh |
| 800W, south-facing and unshaded | 600 to 800kWh |
| 800W, east-west arrangement | 500 to 700kWh |
The same guide states that at an assumed import price of 25p per kWh, annual value might range from about £50 to £150 depending on generation and self-consumption, and that small solar kits are expected to reach major retailers for roughly £400 to £5002. It describes a cautious simple-payback range of around five to ten years, which mounting and electrical extras can extend2. These figures come from a commercial manufacturer's guide and are not government estimates.
Why it matters for households
The response confirms the direction of travel for plug-in solar kits in the UK: a route by which a household could connect a compliant device to an ordinary socket without an electrician, subject to the product meeting the IPS. For a home's energy independence, the practical effect is that some daytime demand, such as a fridge, router or standby load, could be met from generation rather than import, with the value depending on how much output is used on site rather than exported2. The scale is small: the guide states a plug-in kit is not a substitute for a full rooftop array, and that a household seeking full energy independence would find it too small2. The government has said compliance with the IPS is also relevant under the ESQCR in determining whether a device may be connected to and used on a consumer's electrical connection1. The consultation outcome sits within the wider process of how energy consultations and policy are made, and the PSSR changes relate to proposed changes to permitted development rights for solar only insofar as both concern small-scale domestic generation.
What happens next
The government will publish consumer guidance alongside commencement of the regulations, and will continue to gather evidence from deployment and real-world use to inform the development of enduring product standards1. No commencement date for the regulations has been reported. The GOV.UK page records that Welsh translations of the government response and impact assessment were published on 3 September 20261.