Panel installation and wiring

UK Plug-In Solar: Choosing a Certified Kit After 27 August 2026

Plug-in solar kits became legal to self-install in the UK on 27 August 2026. Not every kit on the market qualifies, though. This guide covers what a certified kit looks like, how to tell a legal product from one that will put you outside the rules, and what the DNO notification requirement means in practice.

Helpful video reference. Gary Does Solar’s report from Intersolar Europe 2026 “Is the UK FINALLY Catching Up on Plug-In Solar? Intersolar 2026” covers the products heading to UK shelves and the safety debate around certified versus uncertified kit.

1. What the law changed on 27 August 2026

Statutory Instrument 2026/848 amended the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 to permit householders to connect a certified small solar kit to a standard 13A socket without planning permission or a registered electrician. The legal framework was modelled on similar rules that have been in place in Germany and the Netherlands for several years.

The change applies only to systems meeting the Interim Product Specification version 2 (IPS v2), published by government alongside SI 2026/848. A kit that does not meet IPS v2 is not covered by the new law, even if it is small and looks similar to a compliant product.

2. What IPS v2 certification means in practice

The Interim Product Specification v2 requires, among other things:

• A maximum AC output of 800W from the micro-inverter (not from the panels).
• An anti-islanding function that shuts the inverter down within defined limits if the grid is lost, preventing it from energising the local wiring when the grid is off.
• A startup delay (typically 20 seconds) before the inverter begins exporting, which is also part of the G98 technical requirement.
• UK or CE conformity marking with documentation available on request.

At the time of writing, IPS v2 compliance is declared by the manufacturer rather than confirmed by an independent UK certification body. That means the burden of checking falls on the buyer. Products from major UK retailers (Amazon, Currys, B&Q, Lidl) are expected to be compliant, but looking at the product listing for IPS v2 compliance before purchasing is the safest approach.

3. The 800W rule: panels versus inverter

The 800W cap applies to the AC output of the micro-inverter, not the rated DC power of the solar panels. A typical plug-in kit might include two panels rated at 400W each (total 800W DC), connected to a single micro-inverter rated at 600W AC. That kit is compliant: the 800W limit is met on the AC output side.

Kits that include a micro-inverter rated above 800W AC are not permitted under SI 2026/848, regardless of the panel specification. If you are buying from an overseas supplier (particularly sites with European or North American products), check the micro-inverter’s AC output rating carefully. German and Dutch rules allow up to 800W in some configurations, but the product may still have a higher-rated inverter that does not meet the UK ceiling.

4. G98 DNO notification: free and straightforward

Before you switch on your plug-in solar system, you must notify your Distribution Network Operator under the G98 Connect and Notify procedure. This is the same process used for small hardwired solar systems below 3.68 kW.

You can find your DNO using the Energy Networks Association’s postcode lookup tool. The notification form is on your DNO’s website, takes a few minutes to fill in, and is free. You submit it before energising, and the DNO does not need to inspect or approve the installation: it is a notification, not an application.

Certified plug-in micro-inverters include a startup delay that satisfies the technical G98 anti-islanding requirement. The notification itself, however, remains your responsibility. Skipping it is the most common way people inadvertently operate outside the law.

5. Fire safety restrictions that still apply

SI 2026/848 includes specific prohibitions that apply regardless of certification. The following properties and locations are excluded from the scheme:

• Timber balconies. Panels may not be mounted on or directly above a timber balcony.
• ACP (aluminium composite panel) clad buildings. Buildings with ACP cladding (similar to the type involved in the Grenfell fire) are excluded.
• Properties under active fire remediation. If your building is subject to a fire remediation programme, you cannot install plug-in solar until the remediation is complete.

These restrictions mainly affect flat-dwellers and those in multi-storey buildings. If you live in a house with a standard slate or tile roof and no ACP cladding, the restrictions are unlikely to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a plug-in solar kit is certified for UK use?

Look for documentation stating compliance with the UK government’s Interim Product Specification version 2 (IPS v2). This covers anti-islanding, the 800W AC output cap, and the required safety shutdown functions. Kits from major UK retailers are expected to meet this requirement from 27 August 2026, but check the product listing or manufacturer documentation before buying rather than assuming.

Do I need to tell my DNO about a plug-in solar kit?

Yes. G98 Connect and Notify applies even to plug-in solar kits installed under SI 2026/848. You must notify your DNO before switching the system on. The process is free and takes a few minutes. Most certified micro-inverters have a built-in startup delay that satisfies the technical G98 requirement, but the notification itself is still mandatory.

Can I add a battery to my plug-in solar kit?

Not under SI 2026/848 as it stands. The regulation covers plug-in solar generation only. Battery storage connected to a plug-in solar system falls outside the scheme and requires either a hardwired installation by a qualified electrician or the use of a separate plug-in battery unit charged from the socket independently. The legal route for solar plus battery storage remains a full MCS-certified hardwired system.

Ask about a hardwired solar and battery system Getting started with plug-in solar