Lidl
Parkside Plug-in Solar Kit
—
800 W AC
Unknown
Sold in Germany & EU; UK launch not yet confirmed — check lidl.co.uk
UK Plug-in Solar Guide
Daily-updated UK Status, Products & Costs
The 5-second verdict
15 Aug · 10:01Legal in the UK?
Partially
SI 2026/848 comes into force 27 Aug 2026; BS 7671 Amendment 4 transition ends 2 Oct 2026.
How much?
From £349
Typical 800W kit · £70-£175/yr saving
Can I install today?
~Late August
Buy → plug in → notify your DNO (G98)
Payback period
3–4 yrs
Depends on location, usage & tariff
800W
The legal limit
One 800W AC device per circuit, via a standard 13 A socket
Panels can total more on the DC side – the micro-inverter clips output to 800W AC. G98 currently only allows one device per household, stricter than the one-per-circuit rule above - expected to loosen once G98 is amended. Plug-in batteries (with or without solar) are a separate, currently-unaddressed category - see below.
- Solar only
- +Solar + batteryNot yet in scope
- Battery onlyNot yet in scope
The 1-minute update
Legal & in the shopsmedium confidence
Approx. late August 2026
SI 2026/848, which enables BS 1363 plug approval and requires compliance with the Interim Product Specification, comes into force on 27 August 2026. This is expected to trigger wider retail launches.
UK regulation timeline
past → futureAbout this page. A daily- refreshed, impartial UK guide to plug-in solar (also called balcony solar or Balkonkraftwerk) covering the legal status, the kits you can actually buy today, prices and payback, and how to pair – or replace – panels with a battery on a smart tariff. We re-research the regulations, products and prices every morning using Gemini against primary UK sources (gov.uk, BSI, Ofgem, mainstream UK press) so the figures you see below are never more than 24 hours old. We are editorially independent: any retailer link is disclosed and never affects what we list or rank.
Where things stand today
Legal in the UK?
Partially
SI 2026/848 comes into force 27 Aug 2026; BS 7671 Amendment 4 transition ends 2 Oct 2026.
Verified 15 Aug 2026
Products on shelves?
Yes
Kits are on sale (EcoFlow) but marked pending full compliance until SI 2026/848 is in force 27 Aug 2026.
Verified 15 Aug 2026
SEG export payments?
No
SEG requires MCS certification, not currently available for DIY plug-in installs.
Verified 15 Aug 2026
DNO notification needed?
Yes
G98 notification to DNO is mandatory within 28 days of installation.
Verified 15 Aug 2026
What changed since yesterday
- 2026-08-15Updated Lidl Parkside Plug-in Solar Kit to 'pre-order' status with a verified URL and price. Added EcoFlow STREAM 900W variant. Verified all product prices and stock statuses.
What is plug-in solar?
← swipe to see full diagram →
Most UK kits combine the inverter and (optional) battery into one box that plugs into a single 13 A socket. The grid invisibly tops up whatever isn't being supplied.
⚡ A battery-only version skips the panel entirely — useful for time-shifting cheap overnight electricity (e.g. on Octopus Flux) into peak hours.
Plug-in solar - sometimes called balcony solar, DIY solar, or by its German name Balkonkraftwerk - is a small photovoltaic system you install yourself and plug into a regular three-pin socket. A typical kit is one or two solar panels, a micro-inverter that converts DC from the panels into 230 V AC, and a standard UK plug.
Once plugged in, the inverter pushes electricity into your home's wiring. Anything you happen to be using at that moment - the fridge, the router, the kettle, your laptop charger - takes that solar electricity first, and the grid only tops up what's left. It's not a backup battery: when the panels stop producing, the grid takes over invisibly.
The legal limit is 800 watts (VA) of AC output per device. That's roughly enough to run an always-on "base load" - fridge, freezer, internet kit, a few standby devices - on sunny days. Most kits use one or two panels of around 400-450 W each, so panel input can be slightly higher than 800 W (the inverter clips the excess). How many devices you can have is a separate, currently unsettled question: DESNZ's Interim Product Specification itself only limits you to one device per final ring circuit, so a house with multiple ring circuits could technically have more than one - but the specification explicitly notes that the current GB network connection rules (Engineering Recommendation G98 Issue 2 Amendment 1 2026) are stricter and cap it at one device per household "unless and until that is amended". Until G98 changes, treat it as one device per household, not per circuit.
Plug-in solar will not power your house in a power cut. The inverter is required to detect a grid outage and shut off automatically ("anti-islanding") to protect engineers working on the network. To run essentials in a blackout you need a separate battery system with off-grid mode.
Plug-in batteries - on their own, or bundled with a plug-in solar kit - are a different, currently unaddressed category. DESNZ's Interim Product Specification and BS 7671 Amendment 4 explicitly exclude "plug-in battery systems" and "plug-in solar PV devices integrated with battery systems" from their scope, and a compliant plug-in solar device's instructions are required to carry an explicit warning against pairing it with a battery energy storage system. Products like the EcoFlow STREAM AC Pro or Zendure AIO 2400, which plug into a socket and time-shift electricity (charge overnight when cheap, discharge at the expensive evening peak) for a saving even without solar panels, sit in this gap: not banned, just not yet covered by the current specification. Separate legislation or a future specification revision may address plug-in batteries specifically - we'll update this page the moment that happens.
Is it legal in the UK yet?
Is your setup legal?
self-check- Sub-800 W AC kit, sold by a UK retailerCompliant with BS 7671 Amendment 4 and DESNZ's Interim Product Specification (SI 2026/848, in force 27 Aug 2026 - not a BSI standard). Plug straight into a normal 13 A socket.
- You notify your DNO within 28 days (G98)Free online form, no approval required. We have a postcode → DNO finder lower down the page.
- You tell your home insurerA simple note on the policy. Most insurers add it for free; not telling them gives grounds to refuse a claim.
- Renting? Tell your landlord firstPlug-in solar is portable, so it usually falls outside "alterations" clauses, but the Renters' Rights Act 2025 expects written notice. Use our landlord letter template.
- Imported "Balkonkraftwerk" with no UK certificationAnti-islanding (EN 50549), earth bonding and BS 1363 plug compliance may not be guaranteed. Avoid generic Amazon/eBay listings without a UK importer.
- Hard-wired into a dedicated spurThat is no longer "plug-in" - it becomes notifiable electrical work and needs an electrician under Part P.
- Wall or balcony is cladding, timber, or under fire remediationACM, MCM, HPL and timber cladding, plus timber balconies, are excluded outright by the spec - as is any building under external wall fire remediation.
The legal landscape for plug-in solar in the UK is rapidly advancing. BS 7671 Amendment 4, published on 15 April 2026, introduced specific provisions for plug-in microgenerators, with a transition period ending on 2 October 2026. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) published its Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification (version 2) on 16 July 2026, setting out technical and safety requirements. Statutory Instrument 2026/848, which amends the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, was made on 16 July 2026 and comes into force on 27 August 2026. This SI formally defines "plug-in microgenerator" and mandates compliance with the Interim Product Specification. G98 notification to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is a legal requirement within 28 days of commissioning for systems up to 3.68kW. The current G98 Issue 2 Amendment 1 2026 restricts installations to one device per household, despite the Interim Product Specification permitting one per final ring circuit. The next key development to watch is the commencement of SI 2026/848 on 27 August 2026, which is expected to facilitate broader retail availability of compliant products.
UK kits on sale today
Be wary of imported kits sold on Amazon and eBay aimed at the German or Spanish market. Some have been tested and found to lack proper UK anti-islanding (EN 50549), earth bonding for the panel frames, or BS 1363 plug compliance. Look for an explicit statement of UK compliance with BS 7671 Amendment 4.
EcoFlow
STREAM Plug & Play Solar System
£349
800 W AC
PendingOut of stock
From £349 — choose panel size (2×400 W to 4×250 W) and bracket on EcoFlow's site
| Brand & model | Output | Price | UK compliant | Battery | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lidl Parkside Plug-in Solar Kit Sold in Germany & EU; UK launch not yet confirmed — check lidl.co.uk | 800 W AC | — | Unknown | — | |
EcoFlow STREAM Plug & Play Solar System From £349 — choose panel size (2×400 W to 4×250 W) and bracket on EcoFlow's site | 800 W AC | £349 | Pending Out of stock | — |
Amazon product-page links below use our Associates tag (UK/US/IE only, same as our book pages); other retailer links do not. Editorial choices are not influenced by it. See the full note at the foot of this page.
Top Tip - a cheaper way to start
A plug-in solar kit pays back faster if you also time-shift your evening peak - but you don't necessarily need to spend £1,000+ on a dedicated home battery to get a good amount of benefit. A £100-£200 camping power station can soak up the excess your panels generate in the middle of the day (when no-one's home to use it), then run your TV, computer, games console (e.g. teenager's bedroom) during the 5-7pm peak - capturing some of the saving that a full grid/plug-in battery would.
Plug-in solar systems can't yet sell power back to the grid, so any midday excess your panels produce while the house is empty is simply wasted. A small battery turns that wasted generation into ~30p-per-kWh of avoided peak-rate import - which is why storage is the single highest-value upgrade you can layer on top.
If just 5% of the UK's 28 million households shifted 1 kWh a day off the evening peak, that's 1.4 GWh moved daily and roughly 200-300 MW shaved during 5-7pm - the output of a small gas peaker plant, gone. Full write-up here.
Cheap power stations on Amazon UK
Portable power stations 1000Wh
Sweet-spot capacity for shifting an evening peak
EcoFlow River 2 Max
~512Wh, often £200-£300
Bluetti EB55
537Wh LiFePO4, plug-and-play
Search links - we earn a small commission on Amazon UK purchases at no extra cost to you.
Regulations deep dive
BS 7671 Amendment 4
BS 7671 Amendment 4, published on 15 April 2026, introduced specific requirements for plug-in microgenerators, making their installation legally permissible under the Wiring Regulations. This amendment clarifies the technical standards for connecting small-scale generation to domestic electrical installations. A transition period is in effect, allowing installations to comply with either the previous edition or Amendment 4, until the final deadline of 2 October 2026. After this date, all new installations must fully conform to Amendment 4.
G98 connect-and-notify
Installation of plug-in solar systems in the UK requires notification to the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) under G98 regulations. This notification must be submitted within 28 days of commissioning the system. While the DESNZ Interim Product Specification allows for one plug-in device per final ring circuit, the current G98 Issue 2 Amendment 1 2026 still limits installations to one device per household. This discrepancy is expected to be resolved in future G98 amendments.
Interim Product Specification
There is no dedicated BSI product standard for plug-in solar. Instead, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) published its "Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification" (version 2) on 16 July 2026. This government document sets out the technical and safety requirements for plug-in solar devices. Statutory Instrument 2026/848, in force from 27 August 2026, mandates compliance with this Interim Product Specification. Regulation 3 of SI 2026/848, which requires this compliance, extends to England, Wales, and Scotland only, not Northern Ireland. A longer-term, enduring standard is expected to be developed later, informed by real-world deployment.
How the UK compares to Europe
The UK's approach to plug-in solar is now aligning with, and in some aspects, surpassing, European counterparts. Germany has long been a leader, allowing up to 600 W AC output per device, with plans to increase to 800 W, and boasts over 400,000 balcony power plants. Belgium permits up to 800 W AC output per device, with simplified registration. The Netherlands also allows plug-in solar, typically up to 600 W, with varying local grid operator requirements. The UK's 800 W AC limit per device (as per the Interim Product Specification) positions it favourably. However, the current G98 restriction to one device per household is stricter than most EU nations. For example, Germany's simplified rules allow multiple devices per household, provided the total output remains within limits.
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
Most of this guide applies UK-wide for product safety and BS 7671, but who you notify and the exact paperwork can differ. Use your own country's network operator (NIE Networks in Northern Ireland; GB DNOs elsewhere).
England & Wales
BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) is the usual technical rulebook for domestic electrical work across England and Wales. Plug-in solar still requires you to notify your distribution network operator under the GB connect-and-notify rules in Energy Networks Association documents (commonly referred to as G98 for sub-16 A single-phase equipment). Wales follows the same product-safety and market framework as England for CE/UKCA equipment of this kind.
Scotland
BS 7671 is widely applied in Scotland for domestic installations. Scottish building standards govern structural or notifiable building work on your home; a freestanding or balcony plug-in frame is not the same as a fixed rooftop array, but you should still complete DNO notification and tell your insurer. Scottish properties use the same GB distribution networks (for example SP Energy Networks in southern Scotland) and the same style of connection forms as in England.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland genuinely diverges here, not just administratively: SI 2026/848's requirement to comply with the Interim Product Specification (regulation 3, amending ESQCR 2002) extends to England, Wales and Scotland only and is explicitly excluded from Northern Ireland - there is no equivalent NI instrument yet. NI also has its own electricity market oversight and NIE Networks as the distribution operator, so notification, export and small-scale connection paperwork can differ in detail from the G98-style process in Great Britain — check NIE Networks and the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland for the current domestic microgenerator route before you plug in. Product safety (correct plug, inverter limits, instructions) still matters everywhere.
UK kits on sale today
Be wary of imported kits sold on Amazon and eBay aimed at the German or Spanish market. Some have been tested and found to lack proper UK anti-islanding (EN 50549), earth bonding for the panel frames, or BS 1363 plug compliance. Look for an explicit statement of UK compliance with BS 7671 Amendment 4.
Lidl
Parkside Plug-in Solar Kit
—
800 W AC
Unknown
Sold in Germany & EU; UK launch not yet confirmed — check lidl.co.uk
EcoFlow
STREAM Plug & Play Solar System
£349
800 W AC
PendingOut of stock
From £349 — choose panel size (2×400 W to 4×250 W) and bracket on EcoFlow's site
| Brand & model | Output | Price | UK compliant | Battery | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lidl Parkside Plug-in Solar Kit Sold in Germany & EU; UK launch not yet confirmed — check lidl.co.uk | 800 W AC | — | Unknown | — | |
EcoFlow STREAM Plug & Play Solar System From £349 — choose panel size (2×400 W to 4×250 W) and bracket on EcoFlow's site | 800 W AC | £349 | Pending Out of stock | — |
Amazon product-page links below use our Associates tag (UK/US/IE only, same as our book pages); other retailer links do not. Editorial choices are not influenced by it. See the full note at the foot of this page.
Top Tip - a cheaper way to start
A plug-in solar kit pays back faster if you also time-shift your evening peak - but you don't necessarily need to spend £1,000+ on a dedicated home battery to get a good amount of benefit. A £100-£200 camping power station can soak up the excess your panels generate in the middle of the day (when no-one's home to use it), then run your TV, computer, games console (e.g. teenager's bedroom) during the 5-7pm peak - capturing some of the saving that a full grid/plug-in battery would.
Plug-in solar systems can't yet sell power back to the grid, so any midday excess your panels produce while the house is empty is simply wasted. A small battery turns that wasted generation into ~30p-per-kWh of avoided peak-rate import - which is why storage is the single highest-value upgrade you can layer on top.
If just 5% of the UK's 28 million households shifted 1 kWh a day off the evening peak, that's 1.4 GWh moved daily and roughly 200-300 MW shaved during 5-7pm - the output of a small gas peaker plant, gone. Full write-up here.
Cheap power stations on Amazon UK
Portable power stations 1000Wh
Sweet-spot capacity for shifting an evening peak
EcoFlow River 2 Max
~512Wh, often £200-£300
Bluetti EB55
537Wh LiFePO4, plug-and-play
Search links - we earn a small commission on Amazon UK purchases at no extra cost to you.
Plug-in vs rooftop
Plug-in solar is a great fit for some households and the wrong choice for others. If you own your roof, have an unshaded south-facing pitch, and use a lot of electricity, full rooftop solar will pay back faster per pound spent. Plug-in solar is the right answer if you rent, live in a flat or balcony, can't afford a £6,000+ install, or just want to dip a toe in.
| Plug-in solar | Full rooftop solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Around £400-£800 for an 800 W kit | Around £6,000-£10,000 for a typical 4 kW system |
| Annual generation | 500-700 kWh in southern England | 3,500-4,200 kWh in southern England |
| Annual bill saving | £70-£175 | £600-£1,000 (with a battery and a smart export tariff) |
| Installation | You can do it yourself, no electrician required | MCS-certified installer, scaffolding, planning |
| Get paid for export? | Not yet - SEG simplification expected ~2027 | Yes, via the Smart Export Guarantee |
| Suitable for renters? | Yes - portable, no permanent fix needed | Almost never - landlord and roof access required |
| Suitable for flats / balconies | Yes - mounts on balcony rails or south-facing walls | No |
For full-roof solar costs, capacity, and SEG rates by country, see our energy dashboard and energy explainer.
Installation guide
- 1
Check your consumer unit
Your fuse board should be modern (RCD or RCBO protected). If you have an old re-wireable fuse board, ask an electrician to look at it before you plug in. Older houses with two-pin sockets won't work without an upgrade.
- 2
Pick a sunny location
South or south-west facing, unshaded between roughly 9 am and 4 pm in summer. A balcony rail, a south wall, a garden frame, a flat shed roof or a fence panel all work - but not on ACM, MCM, HPL or timber cladding, timber balconies, or any building under external wall fire remediation, which the Interim Product Specification excludes outright.
- 3
Mount the panels securely
Use the brackets supplied with your kit. Balcony rail brackets, ground frames and wall hooks are all available. Make sure the panels are tilted (typically 20-40 degrees) and cannot fall in high winds.
- 4
Connect the micro-inverter
The micro-inverter clips to the back of the panel or the mounting frame. Plug the panel DC cables into the inverter, then plug the inverter into a single dedicated 13 A socket. The AC lead and plug are factory-fitted and cannot be extended, cut or spliced, and the spec bans connecting through an extension lead, multi-way adaptor or RCD adaptor of any kind - whatever cable length the kit ships with is your working radius. The DC side (panel to inverter) is more flexible: manufacturers can supply routing connectors so a cable can pass from an outdoor panel to an indoor inverter, so siting the inverter inside usually means drilling a small cable-entry hole rather than running an extension lead. Total panel power up to 2,000 W DC is permitted, though the spec recommends professional assessment above 960 W.
- 5
Plug in and check
Once plugged in the inverter takes ~60 seconds to detect the grid frequency, then begins exporting. Most kits include a Wi-Fi monitoring app showing live output.
- 6
Notify your DNO (G98)
Within 28 days you must tell your Distribution Network Operator that you have a generator under 16 A per phase. The form is free, online, and takes a few minutes. Use our DNO finder below.
- 7
Tell your home insurer
Most insurers will note the system on your policy at no extra cost. Don't skip this step: failing to declare a generator can give the insurer grounds to decline a claim.
Payback calculator
Annual generation
816 kWh
regional estimate
Annual saving
£149
@ 26.1 p/kWh
Simple payback
3.3 years
good
In the SW postcode area, an 816 kWh/year output (per our regional UK yield table) would save about £149 a year at today's 26.1 p/kWh unit rate, paying the system back in 3.3 years. Adjust the slider above to model how much of your generation you actually use during the day.
Estimates only. Real-world output depends on shading, panel tilt, season, and the electricity price you actually pay. The calculator assumes excess generation above your self-consumption is exported for free (plug-in solar cannot use the Smart Export Guarantee yet); update if a simplified SEG pathway opens.
Batteries: with or without solar
Batteries are interesting in the UK even without solar. With a time-of-use tariff like Octopus Flux you can charge cheaply overnight and either run your home from the battery during the peak window, or sell back to the grid at a much higher rate. Below are three worked examples - choose the one that matches your situation.
Track 1
Solar + battery
A small battery captures sunshine you would otherwise have exported for free, and lets you use it in the evening - shifting up to twice as much of your generation into useful self-consumption.
Energy through pack
400 kWh/yr
Saving per kWh
26.1 p
Payback
6.7 yr
Annual saving £104. Each kWh stored avoids paying 26.1 p/kWh from the grid in the evening (currently no SEG is paid for plug-in solar exports).
Worked example assumes Self-consumed instead of free export. Round-trip efficiency and battery degradation will reduce real-world figures by ~10-15%.
Track 2
Battery-only on Octopus Flux
No solar panels at all. Charge the battery from the grid at the cheapest 5-hour window (around 9 p/kWh), then either run the house off it during the 4-7 pm peak (avoiding 41 p/kWh import) or sell it back to Flux at the peak export rate.
Energy through pack
1,700 kWh/yr
Saving per kWh
16.2 p
Payback
9.1 yr
Annual saving £276. Half of each cycle assumed exported to grid at 28.6 p/kWh, half used in-home displacing 35.7 p/kWh peak imports - both bought at the 15.9 p/kWh off-peak rate.
Worked example assumes Avg of in-home displacement and Flux peak export. Round-trip efficiency and battery degradation will reduce real-world figures by ~10-15%.
Track 3
Battery-only off-peak charging
Simpler still: any time-of-use tariff with a cheap overnight rate. Charge the battery during off-peak, run the house from it during the day. No export needed - the saving comes from displacing daytime peak imports.
Energy through pack
1,700 kWh/yr
Saving per kWh
10.2 p
Payback
14.4 yr
Annual saving £174. Each kWh is bought at the 15.9 p/kWh off-peak rate, then used in the day instead of paying the 26.1 p/kWh standard tariff.
Worked example assumes Daytime peak avoided. Round-trip efficiency and battery degradation will reduce real-world figures by ~10-15%.
Smart Export Guarantee: will you get paid?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is not currently available for DIY plug-in solar installations. SEG requires systems to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which is designed for larger, professionally installed systems and does not currently have a pathway for self-installed plug-in devices. Ofgem is expected to develop a simplified pathway for plug-in solar to access SEG payments, with a target date around 2027. Until then, any excess electricity generated by plug-in solar systems will be exported to the grid without payment.
Find your DNO
Within 28 days of installing your kit you must notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO). The form is free, online, and takes a few minutes - no approval is required for sub-800 W plug-in solar. Enter your postcode below to find the right DNO.
Don't know your DNO? It's NOT the same as your electricity supplier - they own the cables, your supplier just bills you.
Landlord letter template
If you rent, the simplest path is to write to your landlord before installing. The template below references BS 7671 Amendment 4 (2026), explains that the kit is portable and reversible, and cites your right to request energy-efficiency improvements under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Edit the bracketed sections, then send.
Preview the letterShow
Dear [LANDLORD NAME], I am writing to let you know that I would like to install a small plug-in solar system at [PROPERTY ADDRESS]. I wanted to share the details with you so that you have everything you need on file. What is plug-in solar? A plug-in solar system is a small portable photovoltaic system - one or two panels (around 800 W AC output) that plug into a standard three-pin socket. It generates a small amount of electricity during daylight hours that the property uses directly. It does not require any new wiring, sockets, or alterations to the building. Legal status As of 15 April 2026, plug-in solar systems are recognised under BS 7671 Amendment 4 (the IET Wiring Regulations) and the G98 distribution code. The government formally announced legalisation on 16 March 2026. From 27 August 2026, the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/848) formally define "plug-in microgenerator" in law and require compliance with the government's Interim Product Specification. The system I am proposing falls under the 800 W AC output threshold and will be installed in line with the manufacturer's instructions and these regulations. The property's walls/balcony are not ACM, MCM, HPL or timber cladding, nor a timber balcony, and are not currently under external wall fire remediation, so the installation is permitted under the specification's fire-safety rules. What it means for the property - No drilling, no fixings to the structure - the panel(s) will be mounted on a free-standing frame / on the balcony rail using clip-on brackets / on a removable wall hook. (Pick whichever applies.) - The panels are easily removable at the end of the tenancy. - The system plugs into an existing socket; no electrical alterations are made. - The system has anti-islanding protection (it disconnects automatically in the event of a power cut), so there is no risk to anyone working on the property's electrics. - I will notify our Distribution Network Operator within 28 days of install (G98 form) and inform my contents insurer. - The system improves the energy performance of the property at no cost to you. This is consistent with the energy-efficiency improvements that tenants have a right to request under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you are happy for me to proceed. I am happy to send you a copy of the manufacturer's compliance documentation and the G98 notification on request. Many thanks, [YOUR NAME] [DATE]
Latest UK plug-in solar news
Updated daily
·Solar Power Portal Why Britain’s plug-in solar expansion could leave the grid in the dark
A recent article suggests that the rapid expansion of plug-in solar in Britain might pose challenges for the national grid. This raises concerns about potential strain on infrastructure as adoption grows.
Read at Solar Power Portal·The i Paper Will £400 supermarket solar panels save you money? The expert guide
An expert guide from The i Paper questions if £400 supermarket solar panels offer genuine savings. It aims to provide clarity on the financial benefits for consumers.
Read at The i Paper·The Independent The UK shops that could sell plug-in solar panels
The Independent explores which UK retailers might stock plug-in solar panels. This indicates a potential expansion of availability for these DIY energy solutions.
Read at The Independent·The Sun Warning over plug-in solar panels as money-saving gadgets set to hit supermarkets in DAYS
The Sun issues a warning about plug-in solar panels, as these money-saving gadgets are expected to arrive in supermarkets soon. Consumers are advised to be cautious.
Read at The Sun·The i Paper £400 plug-in solar panels to go on sale in shops – in time to catch record summer
The i Paper reports that £400 plug-in solar panels are set to go on sale, just in time for the summer. This offers a timely opportunity for consumers to embrace solar energy.
Read at The i Paper·The Times Plug-in solar panels coming to supermarkets: are they worth it?
The Times investigates the value of plug-in solar panels as they become available in supermarkets. The article aims to determine if they are a worthwhile investment.
Read at The Times·t3.com How much can plug-in solar panels really save you on your energy bills?
t3.com examines the potential savings on energy bills from plug-in solar panels. It seeks to quantify the financial benefits for users.
Read at t3.com·Bedford Today UK plug-in solar goes live this month as DIY systems cost from around £300
Bedford Today reports that UK plug-in solar systems are launching this month, with DIY options starting from around £300. This marks the official availability of these accessible solar solutions.
Read at Bedford Today
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in the UK in 2026?
Yes. The government announced legalisation on 16 March 2026 and BS 7671 Amendment 4 took effect on 15 April 2026, recognising small plug-connected PV sources. DESNZ then published the final "Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification" (version 2) on 16 July 2026 - this is a government document, not a BSI standard. From 27 August 2026, SI 2026/848 (amending the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002) formally defines "plug-in microgenerator" in law, lets plugs be approved against BS 1363 for this use, and requires compliance with that specification - in England, Wales and Scotland (this specific requirement does not extend to Northern Ireland). The 800 W AC output limit applies, you must notify your Distribution Network Operator within 28 days (G98), and you should inform your home insurer.
Can renters install plug-in solar?
In most cases yes. Plug-in solar is portable and does not require permanent fixings to the building, which puts it outside the scope of most tenancy clauses on alterations. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 also gives tenants stronger rights to make energy-efficiency improvements, and we provide a downloadable letter template you can send your landlord. Always check your tenancy agreement and notify your landlord in writing before installing.
Will it void my home insurance?
Not if you tell your insurer. A non-compliant or undeclared electrical installation gives an insurer grounds to refuse a claim, but a sub-800 W plug-in solar system installed in line with BS 7671 Amendment 4 is now an accepted modification. Notify your insurer in writing - most will simply add a note to the policy at no extra cost.
Do I need an electrician?
No, not legally, for a sub-800 W kit. The whole point of the new framework is that plug-in solar can be installed without notifiable electrical work. That said, if your consumer unit is old (re-wireable fuses, no RCD), get an electrician to look at it before plugging anything in.
How much money will I save?
A typical 800 W kit in southern England generates roughly 500-700 kWh a year. At current unit rates (24-27 p/kWh), savings range from around £70 a year for an average household to up to £175 a year if you use most of the power during the day - giving a headline range of £70-£175/yr. Government modelling put the typical figure at £70-£110 a year with a roughly 4-year payback; households where someone is home during the day, or with always-on loads, often do better.
Can I get paid for excess solar I send to the grid?
Not yet, for plug-in solar. The Smart Export Guarantee currently requires MCS certification of the install, and DIY plug-in installs cannot be MCS-certified. Industry expects Ofgem to introduce a simplified SEG route for plug-in solar in 2027. Until then you only save on electricity you self-consume - which is fine, because self-consumed kWh are worth more than exported ones anyway.
Can I add a battery to a plug-in solar system?
Not under the current specification. DESNZ's Interim Product Specification and BS 7671 Amendment 4 explicitly exclude "plug-in battery systems" and "plug-in solar PV devices integrated with battery systems" from their scope - and a compliant plug-in solar device's instructions are required to carry an explicit warning against pairing it with a battery energy storage system. This isn't a ban so much as a gap: separate legislation or a future specification revision may address plug-in batteries specifically, and some kits are sold with a bundled battery for the time-shifting benefit alone (see the next question) rather than as a certified combined system. Check current guidance before combining the two.
Can I use a plug-in battery on its own, without solar panels?
A standalone plug-in battery - such as the EcoFlow STREAM AC Pro or a Zendure AIO 2400 - plugs into the same 13 A socket and pushes up to 800 W AC into your home wiring, letting you charge overnight on a cheap time-of-use rate (e.g. Octopus Flux or Agile) and discharge during the expensive evening peak. This is a genuinely different product category from plug-in solar in law: it doesn't generate electricity from sunlight, so it was never going to be covered by legislation written specifically for solar generation, and DESNZ's specification explicitly excludes plug-in battery systems from its scope. Whether a given battery product is otherwise compliant with general UK electrical/product safety law is a separate question from the plug-in solar framework on this page - check the manufacturer's own UK compliance claims.
Do I need planning permission?
For panels mounted on a balcony rail, on a fence, in a garden, or on a wall in a non-conservation area, no - they are treated as portable equipment and fall under permitted development. For listed buildings, conservation areas, or panels mounted on the roof, check with your local authority.
Can I install plug-in solar on a balcony with cladding, or a timber balcony?
No. The Interim Product Specification bars installation outright on ACM, MCM or HPL cladding, on timber cladding, on timber balconies, and on any building currently under external wall fire remediation. Balcony rails and render or brick walls are fine. This rules out a meaningful share of post-Grenfell blocks with cladding remediation in progress, and any building finished in timber - worth checking before you buy a kit if you live in a flat.
Is plug-in solar different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
Equipment rules and BS 7671 apply much the same across Great Britain, but Northern Ireland is genuinely different in law, not just administratively: SI 2026/848's requirement to comply with the Interim Product Specification (regulation 3, amending ESQCR 2002) extends to England, Wales and Scotland only - it is explicitly excluded from Northern Ireland. NI also uses NIE Networks and has its own regulatory setup - use its published microgenerator / connection guidance instead of assuming a GB G98 form is always correct. Scotland shares GB distribution operators with England (for example SP Energy Networks). See the England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland section on this page.
Is the "Interim Product Specification" the same as a BSI standard?
No - this is a common mix-up (several UK guides get it wrong, some still claiming a BSI standard was due in July 2026 - that was the original March 2026 plan, since superseded). The document that plug-in solar kits must actually comply with is the "Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification", published by DESNZ (the government department), not the British Standards Institution. BSI is referenced in the law only for BS 1363, the standard UK plug. A draft version 1.0 (June 2026) was withdrawn during consultation; the final version 2 published 16 July 2026, and SI 2026/848 (in force 27 August 2026) writes compliance with it into law. DESNZ's own July 2026 consultation response says only that "work will begin" on a longer-term standard to succeed the IPS, developed with "standards bodies and stakeholders" - no confirmed date, and no firm commitment that BSI specifically will be the (sole) author.
What is the 800 W limit and why?
The 800 W (VA) refers to the maximum AC output of a single micro-inverter. It is set conservatively so the system cannot overload the ring main if everything else on that circuit is also drawing power. You can have panels totalling more than 800 W of nominal DC output, as long as the inverter is clipped to 800 W AC - which all UK-aimed kits are.
Can I install more than one plug-in solar device in my home?
Not under the current framework - and this is a firmer "no" than it might first look. DESNZ's Interim Product Specification (the final version 2, published 16 July 2026) sets its own technical limit of one device per final ring circuit, so a house with several separate ring circuits could in principle host more than one. But the specification explicitly says this is subject to the existing GB network connection rules, and those rules - Engineering Recommendation G98 Issue 2 Amendment 1 2026, owned by the Energy Networks Association - currently recognise only one plug-in solar device per household, "unless and until that is amended". Because the IPS cannot override G98, the one-per-circuit figure is not yet operative: G98 is what actually governs your network connection today, and it caps you at one device per household regardless of how many ring circuits the property has. The government has signalled it wants G98 amended to move toward a per-circuit approach, but until that amendment is formally published, treat one device per household as the current rule, not just a cautious guess.
When is the revised G98 - allowing more than one device per household - expected?
There is no published timetable. G98 is an Engineering Recommendation owned by the Energy Networks Association (ENA), not DESNZ, so the amendment has to come through the ENA's engineering governance process in conjunction with DNOs and Ofgem - it is not something government can simply announce a date for. What we do know: DESNZ has committed to working with the ENA, DNOs and Ofgem to update G98 for plug-in solar, and the Interim Product Specification's own "unless and until that is amended" wording shows the authors already expected today's one-per-household rule to be a temporary, transitional state rather than the permanent position. Watch the ENA rather than gov.uk for the actual publication - it is their process that decides it.
What if my house has a power cut - can plug-in solar keep things running?
No. The micro-inverter has anti-islanding protection (required by EN 50549) which shuts the system off the instant it detects a grid outage. This is to protect engineers working on the network. To run essentials during a power cut you need a separate off-grid battery system with a transfer switch, which plug-in solar kits don't provide.
Will it work in winter or on cloudy days?
Yes, but at reduced output. UK plug-in solar typically generates 70-90% of its annual yield between April and September. On a bright winter day you might still see 100-300 W; on a heavily overcast day in December, output can drop to 20-50 W. The annual figures already account for this seasonality.
What about non-compliant kits sold on Amazon and eBay?
Imported kits aimed at the German or Spanish market and sold on UK marketplaces may not meet UK standards. Common issues include inverters that are not certified to EN 50549 (so anti-islanding behaviour is unverified), missing earth bonding for panel frames, and plug types other than BS 1363. Look for an explicit statement of UK compliance with BS 7671 Amendment 4 and DESNZ's Interim Product Specification (not a BSI standard - see the FAQ above). Avoid generic listings without a UK importer.
Glossary
- Plug-in solar
- A small PV system - typically one or two panels and a micro-inverter - that connects to the home via a standard three-pin plug rather than a hard-wired spur. Also called balcony solar, DIY solar, or Balkonkraftwerk.
- Micro-inverter
- A small inverter, typically clipped to the back of a single panel, that converts the panel's DC output into 230 V AC. UK-aimed micro-inverters are clipped to 800 W AC output.
- Anti-islanding
- A safety feature, required by the EN 50549 standard, that automatically shuts the inverter off within ~200 ms if it detects the grid has gone down. Protects engineers working on the network during a fault.
- BS 7671
- The IET Wiring Regulations - the standard that all UK electrical installation work must follow. Amendment 4, effective 15 April 2026, updates Chapter 712 to permit small plug-connected PV.
- Interim Product Specification
- Short for the "Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification" - published by DESNZ (the government department), not the British Standards Institution. Version 2 published 16 July 2026, replacing a withdrawn June 2026 draft. SI 2026/848 requires compliance with it from 27 August 2026. A longer-term "enduring" standard is expected later, informed by real-world deployment evidence.
- SI 2026/848
- The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026 - in force 27 August 2026. Defines "plug-in microgenerator" in law, lets a BS 1363 plug be approved for that use, and requires compliance with the Interim Product Specification. The compliance requirement extends to England, Wales and Scotland only, not Northern Ireland.
- G98
- The Distribution Network Operator notification standard for generators under 16 A per phase. Plug-in solar must be notified to the local DNO within 28 days of install. Free online form, no approval required. Its current issue (2 Amendment 1, 2026) is also what actually caps plug-in solar at one device per household today - stricter than the Interim Product Specification's own one-per-circuit rule - "unless and until that is amended".
- DNO
- Distribution Network Operator - the company that owns and runs the lower-voltage cables that bring electricity to your home. There are six DNO regions in Great Britain. Different from your electricity supplier.
- MCS
- Microgeneration Certification Scheme - the consumer-facing certification scheme for renewables installs. Currently a gateway to the Smart Export Guarantee. Plug-in DIY installs are not MCS-certifiable.
- SEG
- Smart Export Guarantee - the framework that pays households for electricity they export to the grid. Currently requires MCS certification. A simplified pathway for plug-in solar is expected ~2027.
- kWh
- Kilowatt-hour - the unit your electricity bill is measured in. A typical UK home uses about 2,700 kWh a year. An 800 W plug-in solar system in southern England generates about 500-700 kWh a year.
- Self-consumption
- The share of your solar generation that is used inside the home rather than exported. Self-consumed kWh save you the import unit rate (around 25 p), while exported kWh earn the export rate (around 12-15 p), so self-consumption is worth roughly twice as much.
- Time-of-use tariff
- An electricity tariff with different rates at different times of day. Octopus Flux, for example, charges peak (4-7 pm) and pays a high export rate during the same window, with cheap import rates overnight - which makes a battery valuable even without solar panels.
Primary UK sources
We research this page directly from the UK government and the electrical regulators every day, rather than from secondary press coverage. The links below are the same primary sources our daily Gemini brief grounds against — go straight to them if you want the original wording.
Enacted legislation
legislation.gov.uk — SI 2026/848
The enacted text of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026 — the statutory instrument that legally defines "plug-in microgenerator" and requires compliance with the Interim Product Specification, in force 27 August 2026.
GOV.UK — Plug-in solar consultation & Interim Product Specification
The DESNZ consultation page hosting the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification itself — the actual compliance document (not a BSI standard) that SI 2026/848 requires.
UK government (DESNZ)
GOV.UK — Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
DESNZ is the lead department for plug-in solar policy. New press releases, consultations and ministerial statements (Ed Miliband) are published here first.
GOV.UK — DESNZ news feed
Live press release stream for DESNZ. Filter by date to see the latest announcements on plug-in / balcony solar.
GOV.UK — open and recent consultations
Search "plug-in solar", "balcony solar" or "domestic micro-generation" to see the open and recently closed UK government consultations.
Ed Miliband MP — Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Secretary of State's GOV.UK page, where speeches and announcements (including the March 2026 plug-in solar legalisation) are listed.
Electrical regulators & standards bodies
Ofgem — Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The official SEG scheme page. Ofgem decides whether plug-in solar can apply for export payments and what the rules are.
IET Electrical — BS 7671 / Wiring Regulations
The IET runs the BS 7671 Wiring Regulations. Amendment 4 (April 2026) is the document that legalised plug-in solar in the UK.
BSI Group — Standards committees
The near-term compliance document is DESNZ's own Interim Product Specification, not a BSI standard - but DESNZ has said work will begin on a longer-term standard with "standards bodies and stakeholders", so BSI's committee pages are worth watching for that follow-on.
Energy Networks Association (ENA) — connection standards
The ENA owns the G98 / G99 connection standards that every DNO follows. Updates to the notification process appear here first.
Electrical Safety First — plug-in solar guidance
Independent UK charity for electrical safety. Issues consumer-facing warnings and reviews of imported plug-in solar kits.
We have no commercial or political relationship with any of these bodies. They are listed because they are the authoritative public sources for UK plug-in solar policy and safety.
Editorial independence
4 Billion Years On is impartial. We are not a manufacturer, retailer or installer. The products listed above are chosen for editorial reasons - because they are relevant to the UK market right now - not because anyone has paid us to feature them.
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Have a correction or want to suggest a kit we have missed? Email us at chris.4billionyears@gmail.com.