Panel installation and wiring

Plug-In Solar Is Now Legal in the UK: What Changed on 27 August 2026

On 27 August 2026, SI 2026/848 came into force and plug-in solar became legal across Great Britain. Here is what actually changed, how to check whether a kit is compliant, what the notification process involves, and what the rules mean for renters and flat owners.

Video: “Plug-in Solar – What You Need To Know!”, a UK solar and renewable energy advice channel, uploaded August 2026.

1. What the law actually changed

Before 27 August 2026, connecting a solar panel to a standard 13A socket in the UK was not covered by any recognised safety standard. Thousands of people did it anyway, but they were in a legal grey area: there was no approved product specification, no type-testing regime, and no agreed way to notify your network operator.

SI 2026/848 changed that. The statutory instrument makes it lawful to connect a complete, certified plug-in solar kit to a standard socket in a domestic property, provided the kit meets the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification v2 and is listed as Compliant on the ENA Type Test Register.

The wiring regulations side was updated separately: BS 7671 Amendment 4, published in April 2026, introduced the new Section 712A covering plug-in solar devices and aligned UK installation rules with the product specification.

2. Which kits are compliant

The ENA Type Test Register is the definitive list. A kit must be tested by an approved test house, meet the product specification in full, and be marked Compliant before it can legally be sold or connected in Great Britain. A kit listed as Non-compliant or Pending is not legal to connect, even if it physically works.

At launch on 27 August 2026, the first compliant kits were a small number of UKSOL models. By October 2026, the register had grown to over 120 compliant kits from more than 26 suppliers. Brands available through major retailers at that point included products from UKSOL, Anker Solix, and others, sold through Currys, B&Q, Amazon, Argos, and Screwfix. Check the ENA register directly for the current list, as it is updated regularly.

The output limit is 800 VA of AC output, measured at the inverter. The kit must use a moulded BS 1363 plug (the standard UK three-pin plug, not an adapted one) and must not include an integrated battery.

3. G98 notification: what it is and how to do it

Connecting a plug-in solar device to the grid is a notifiable activity under the G98 standard. You (or your kit supplier) must notify your Distribution Network Operator within 28 days of connecting the device. Failing to notify does not make the device unsafe, but it does put you outside the approved process.

Most manufacturers now include a G98 notification guide with compliant kits. Many handle the notification electronically through a web form. The process typically asks for your address, the kit's make and model, its maximum output, and the date of connection. You do not need an MCS-certified installer to submit the notification: it is a self-certification process.

Your DNO is the company that operates the cables and infrastructure serving your property. It is not the same as your energy supplier. You can find your DNO by postcode through the Energy Networks Association website.

4. What this means for renters and flat owners

Plug-in solar is specifically aimed at people who cannot get rooftop solar: renters, flat owners, and anyone whose lease, building management, or roof direction makes a conventional system impractical.

If you rent, you need your landlord's written permission before installing. This applies even for a panel that does not involve permanent fixings, because connecting a generation device to the electrical system is a modification. The legal framework does not override your tenancy agreement.

In a flat or leasehold property, check your lease and the building management rules. Weight loading on balconies, fire safety requirements for panel positioning, and planning conditions can all restrict what is permitted. A managing agent will often have guidance on this.

For homeowners, plug-in solar on a rear fence, garden frame, or wall-mounted bracket typically falls within permitted development and needs no planning permission. Front-of-property or roof-mounted arrangements may need more care, particularly in conservation areas or for listed buildings.

5. What the rules do not cover yet

The August 2026 legislation is an interim framework. Batteries are excluded: you cannot connect a plug-in solar kit that includes an integrated battery under the current standard. Standalone plug-in batteries remain outside the same framework and are covered (or not covered) by separate rules.

The 800 VA output cap reflects the interim nature of the standard. A full revision of the product specification is expected, which may raise the output limit and address battery integration. Until that revision is published, the 800 VA limit and the no-battery rule apply.

There is also no Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) route for plug-in solar. SEG payments require an MCS-registered installation with a calibrated export meter. A plug-in system cannot register for SEG, so all the solar generation you do not use yourself is effectively lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did plug-in solar become legal in the UK?

Plug-in solar became legal across Great Britain on 27 August 2026, when SI 2026/848 came into force. Northern Ireland has a separate regulatory framework and has not yet adopted the same rules. Before that date, connecting a solar panel to a standard socket was not covered by a recognised standard in Great Britain.

Do I need planning permission for a plug-in solar kit?

For most houses, plug-in solar panels on a fence, garden frame, or rear balcony fall within permitted development and do not require planning permission. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and some leasehold properties are exceptions. Always check your lease and local council guidance before fixing panels to any structure.

Can I include a battery with my plug-in solar kit?

Not under the current legal framework. SI 2026/848 covers generation only: a compliant plug-in solar kit must not include an integrated battery. Plug-in battery storage is a separate category and is not yet covered by the same standard. If you want battery storage alongside plug-in solar, the battery unit must be kept separate and treated as a standalone device.

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