Since 27 August 2026, homes in England, Scotland and Wales have been able to use plug-in solar: a small solar kit that connects to a suitable outdoor socket instead of being wired into your consumer unit. It has been popular in Germany and across Europe for years, and it is now arriving in UK shops.
We are getting a lot of questions about it, so here is a plain guide to what plug-in solar is, what the new rules say, who it suits, and when a full solar system still makes more sense.
What is plug-in solar?
A plug-in solar kit is usually one or two solar panels, a small microinverter and a mounting frame. The panels make DC electricity, the microinverter turns it into the AC electricity your home uses, and the kit plugs into a socket. Whatever your home is using at that moment, such as the fridge, router or washing machine, uses the solar power first.
Most kits sit on the ground in a garden or on a frame, angled towards the sun. Some newer kits can also be wall mounted.
What do the new rules say?
The rules are deliberately tight, because these kits are designed to be set up by homeowners rather than installers. In short:
- 800VA maximum output. The microinverter limits what the kit can feed into your home to 800VA. The panels themselves can be rated higher, which helps on cloudy days, but the output is capped.
- Complete, approved kits only. The kit must be listed as a complete system in the plug-in solar category of the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Type Test Register. You cannot build your own from separate parts.
- Tell your network operator. You need to notify your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) when you connect a kit, using the details of the exact listed product.
- No batteries. Batteries are not part of the plug-in solar rules. If you want storage, that is still a professionally installed system.
- Great Britain only. The rules cover England, Scotland and Wales, not Northern Ireland.
- The right socket. The kit should plug into a suitable, properly protected outdoor socket. Extension leads, adaptors, multi-way sockets and smart plugs are not allowed.
Who is plug-in solar good for?
- Renters who cannot put panels on the roof, with the landlord’s permission.
- Homes where a roof system is not possible, for example a shaded roof or a listed building, but there is a sunny bit of garden.
- People who want to start small and see what solar can do before committing to a full system.
- Garden offices, sheds and outbuildings that already have a suitable outdoor socket nearby.
What plug-in solar will not do
- It will not keep the lights on in a power cut. The microinverter switches off automatically when the grid goes down, to protect engineers working on the network.
- It will not power your whole home. An 800VA kit covers the background electricity your home uses during the day. A typical rooftop system we install is many times larger.
- It does not store energy. Without a battery, any solar you do not use at the time goes to the grid, and payment for that export is not automatic.
- It will not produce 800VA all day. Output changes with the weather, the season, shading and which way the panels face.
Plug-in solar or a full solar system?
Plug-in solar is a great first step and a good fit for some homes. But if you own your home and have a suitable roof, a full solar system with a battery will usually make a much bigger difference to your bills, because it:
- generates far more electricity across the year
- can store daytime solar for the evening with a home battery
- can charge the battery on a cheaper overnight tariff in winter
- can provide backup power in a power cut, with the right equipment
- qualifies for Smart Export Guarantee payments when installed by an MCS certified installer
If you are not sure which suits you, we are happy to talk it through honestly. Sometimes the right answer is a plug-in kit, and we will tell you if it is.
Plug-in solar and DES
We are keeping a close eye on the plug-in solar kits coming onto the UK market and looking at how we can help our customers with them, from advice on the best spot in your garden to making sure you have a suitable outdoor socket fitted safely by a qualified electrician.
If you would like to hear from us when we have more to share, or you want advice on whether plug-in solar or a full system is right for your home, get in touch with the DES team.
Plug-in solar FAQs
Do I need an electrician to install plug-in solar?
An approved kit is designed for you to set up yourself, following its instructions. The socket it plugs into must be suitable and correctly protected, so if you do not have an outdoor socket, or you are unsure about your wiring, use a qualified electrician.
Can I add a battery to a plug-in solar kit?
Not under the plug-in solar rules. If you want to store solar energy, have a look at our home battery storage options, which are installed as a full system.
Will I get paid for the electricity I export?
Not automatically. Any export payment depends on your meter, your energy supplier and their export tariff rules, so check with your supplier.
Can I put plug-in solar on a balcony?
Only if the kit’s instructions allow it. Balconies bring extra wind, fixing and safety risks, and you may need permission from your landlord, freeholder or local planning authority.
Do I need planning permission?
It depends on your property and where the kit goes. Listed buildings, conservation areas, flats and wall-mounted kits may have extra restrictions, so check with your local planning authority first.