Plug-in solar panels: everything you need to know

For the first time in Great Britain*, you can now buy plug-in solar panels for DIY installation.

As of 27 August 2026, plug-in solar kits are available to buy online and on the high street. 

These low-cost DIY panels are intended for use where it's not possible to install rooftop solar panels – for example, if you rent, or live in a flat with a balcony but no roof. 

Most importantly, anyone can install them without the need for a professional installer or electrician.

The move has has been broadly welcomed because it brings energy generation within the reach of households that could not have previously considered it.

According to government estimates, a plug-in panel system could save households between £70 and £110 a year.

But how realistic is that? We've looked at what's available, the legal requirements to watch out for, where to buy them from and the pros and cons compared to more conventional rooftop panels. 

*We expect this to apply across the UK in due course. However, Northern Ireland has its own safety regulations, which have not yet been fully revised, so if you're in NI, wait for further updates before buying a plug-in solar kit.

If you're looking for a professionally installed solar PV system, check our solar panel buying guide for everything you need to know, including our new lab test results in our guide to the best solar panel brands.

What are plug-in solar panels and how do they work?

Plug-in solar panels are sold as a kit that you can install yourself and plug into a standard mains socket. You won't need a specialist installer or electrician to fit them.

Kits typically include one or two solar panels, a microinverter – which converts direct current (DC) to usable alternating current (AC) – and a lead fitted with a standard three-pin plug, along with mounting brackets and an app for monitoring.

The electricity they generate is fed directly into your home's existing wiring circuit. Any appliance that is plugged in and switched on will use this solar power first, reducing the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid.

Like rooftop panels, they only generate power during daylight hours, and they'll work best if they're at an angle of around 30 degrees, unshaded and south-facing.

Unlike rooftop solar, you can't use them to sell excess power back into the grid, so you do need to use the electricity as and when it's generated.

Who are plug-in solar panels best for?

Plug-in solar panels are aimed at households who wouldn't be able to fit rooftop solar panels. They can be fixed on balconies and outbuildings, attached to an external wall, or even placed on the ground. 

They may be a good option if you rent a flat or house where the landlord owns the roof; if you're a leaseholder where the roof is shared or owned by a freeholder; or if your own roof is north-facing, shaded or otherwise unsuitable for roof-mounted solar panels, but you've got somewhere else that you could mount portable panels.

Plug-in solar may also suit you if you're planning to move soon. The panels can be unplugged and removed, so you can take them with you to your new home.

You'll benefit most from plug-in solar panels if you're at home during the day, so you can use the electricity that's being generated. If no-one's home, it will still supply your baseload energy (the energy your home uses 24/7, such as for a fridge, router and anything left on standby), but any unused power will flow into the grid.

In future, you may be able to sell excess energy from plug-in solar panels via the grid, but that is not yet the case. Right now, only Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or Flexi-Orb approved solar installations with suitable export metering are eligible for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments.

If you own a home with a suitable roof, it's worth comparing the benefits of rooftop solar, as it can be more cost-effective in the longer term.

Will plug-in solar panels save you money?

The short answer is yes. If the panels are installed in a suitable position so they receive enough sunlight, they will generate electricity. As long as you are using some power during the day, then you will save money because the electricity from the panels will replace electricity you would have otherwise bought from your energy supplier. How much you save depends on your lifestyle and pattern of energy use.

Buying plug-in solar panels is an investment. If you have money in a savings account earning interest, does it earn more then if you spent it on plug-in solar?

At an interest rate of 5%, £600 in savings would earn around £30 per year. If you spend £600 on a plug-in solar kit, it might save you £70-£110 a year in ideal conditions, but could be less depending on your situation. 

If you need to spend extra, the sums will change. According to Checkatrade, an electrical safety check may cost £100-£250, and installing a single outdoor socket might be a further £150. 

In total, if you have to spend £1,000 or more to install plug-in solar panels, then the return on your investment might not match the interest on your savings account.

What are the rules around plug-in solar panels?

Although they are now legal in the UK, there are a number of regulations you need to know about before you buy plug-in solar panels.

The main rules that apply to any plug-in system installed in the UK are:

• It must be certified as a complete package meeting the government's Interim Product Specification (IPS), and be verified compliant on the ENA G98 Type Test Register.
• The total panel capacity must be no more than 2,000W across a maximum of four panels, with no more than two in series. Professional advice should be sought for plug-in solar devices with a total maximum power above 960W. 
• The inverter output must be capped at a maximum of 800VA (Volt-Amperes).
• It must have a factory-fitted, non-rewirable moulded UK plug fitted with a fuse not exceeding 5A.

If you're looking to buy a kit, it should be labelled with a compliance declaration, so you can check in-store whether the product complies with the regulations. To check online, visit the ENA G98 Type Test Register and use the filter by technology type to select plug-in solar. If a kit is not listed as compliant there, then it is not not legal to install it in the UK.

As of 27 August 2026, only a small number of products are listed as compliant on the Register, but we expect this to grow rapidly as new models are tested and verified.

Once you've bought a compliant kit, you must also ensure that you install it correctly, in accordance with the new rules.

• Only one plug-in solar kit is allowed per home, so you can't buy more than one and plug them into different sockets, or link them together (often called daisy-chaining).
• It must be plugged directly into a permanent wall-socket circuit. Extension leads and multi-socket adaptors are prohibited.
• You must notify your local DNO (Distribution Network Operator) within 28 days of installing plug-in solar.

Do you need planning permission for plug-in solar?

Installing solar panels generally falls under permitted development rules for most houses, which means you don't need planning permission. 

The usual exceptions apply, so if your home is a listed building or in a conservation area, National Park, National Landscape, the Broads or a World Heritage Site, you may need to gain prior approval or full planning consent from your local authority.

There are also some specific restrictions:

• You must not attach solar panels to anything wooden, such as a timber fence or gate, a wooden balcony or a building with timber cladding. This is to minimise the risk of fire.
• Wall-mounted panels on houses may stick out no more than 0.4m. If the wall faces a road, this is reduced to no more than 0.2m. The same rules apply to balcony-mounted panels.
• On a flat roof, panels should be no more than 0.6m higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney).
• Ground-mounted panels in gardens may be no more than 9 square metres in total. They are restricted in height depending on their distance from the boundary: within 5m of the boundary and in front of the house, 1m tall; within 5m of the boundary anywhere else, 2m tall; in a conservation area and closer to the road than the house is, 2m tall; anywhere else in the garden, 4m tall. If you live in a conservation area, National Park, National Landscape, the Broads or a World Heritage Site, you will require prior approval from the council for panels within 5m of your boundary.

If you are in any doubt, you can apply to the council for a certificate of lawfulness. They will provide you with confirmation, in writing, that what you intend to do fits within the planning rules.

What about flats? 

Plug-in solar panels will also be considered permitted development for flats, subject to the following:

• Plug-in solar panels must not be installed on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, or on any part of the exterior of a block of flats that is clad in timber.
• Listed buildings and scheduled monuments are excluded.
• Flats in a conservation area or World Heritage Site are excluded if the wall faces the road.

Flat dwellers will also need the permission of the landlord or freeholder in order to fix panels to the outside of the building.

For safety reasons, the instructions included with all plug-in solar kits will include a prominent safety warning that installation is not permitted on aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding systems, metal composite material (MCM) cladding systems, high-pressure laminate (HPL) cladding systems, timber cladding systems or timber balconies.

Where to buy plug-in solar panels

In many European countries, plug-in solar panels have been legal for some years and can be bought easily at a supermarket or online. 

The UK government has confirmed that retailers including Amazon, Argos, Currys and Wickes will stock plug-in solar panels, so we expect products to be available in many of these outlets in due course.

Because the law has only recently changed, however, very few products have been through the process of registration, testing and verification that is needed for compliance.

As of 1st September, the following kits are available from companies with plug-in solar products listed as compliant.

Buy now: UKSOL

UKSOL is a British solar brand based in Buckinghamshire.

What do you get? 

Two plug-in solar products are available initially:

• UKSOL Sheffield 460w Pro Compact Ground Mount – from £599
• UKSOL Sheffield 890w Pro Duo Ground Mount – from £999

They are complete system kits, designed specifically to meet the new UK plug-in solar requirements, and featuring UKSOL solar panels. 

The mounting frames are designed and manufactured in Sheffield, and the kits are supplied with the principal components required for installation.

Monitoring is provided through an app and they come with a 10-year UKSOL warranty, plus UK-based customer service and technical support.

Where to buy UKSOL plug-in solar panels? 

You can buy online through UKSOL or through selected partners including Crampton & Moore and Smith Bros.

UKSOL expects to launch additional models in late September with prices from £499.

Coming soon: InstaGen

InstaGen is part of InstaGroup, a British business with over 45 years of experience.  

What do you get?

The kit will include:

• Two high-performance 435W bifacial all-black solar panels
• An 800VA microinverter
• A universal mounting frame that suits gardens, balconies and walls, with a manually adjustable tilt angle to maximise generation

InstaGen offers UK-based customer service and technical support. The panels come with a 12-year product guarantee and 30-year power warranty, while the inverter has a 12-year warranty.

Where to buy InstaGen plug-in solar panels?

Kits will be available by the end of September at InstaGen Plug-in Solar System and branches of UK Greentech and Edmundson Electrical with an RRP (recommended retail price) of £549.

Other compliant plug-in solar products

As of 1 September, compliant plug-in products are also listed by Perlight Solar Co., Thunder Energy, and City Plumbing Supplies. We don't yet have any further details about these products.

Coming soon: EcoFlow

EcoFlow was founded in China in 2017. It specialises in smart home energy-storage solutions, including portable power stations, home storage batteries, and solar generators.

EcoFlow hasn’t yet announced its UK product line-up or pricing for plug-in solar, and no compliant kits are listed yet. A spokesperson told us the company is working to understand the technical, safety and compliance requirements in detail to ensure that anything they introduce is right for the UK market and meets the expected standards for safety, quality and performance.

Are plug-in solar panels safe in the UK?

Before 27 August 2026, UK standards only permitted solar power generation that was permanently connected, which means wired into the mains by a qualified electrician. Plug-in solar panels were not legal to install in a UK home. 

The government has now revised the rules, including the wiring regulations, to allow for their use. As part of its consultation process, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) commissioned an electrical safety study, which concluded that plug-in solar products can be safely installed on UK domestic wiring, provided minimum product standards were met.

Some concerns remain over the suitability of plug-in solar panel kits, however, especially for older UK homes. The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned that some older homes may have wiring or protection devices that were not designed for electricity flowing back into a circuit, which is what happens when you plug in solar panels. Older consumer units (fuse boards) may contain residual current devices (RCDs) that may not trip properly, meaning they don’t offer shock protection when a fault occurs.

The government has advised users to check that their home's electrical installation is equipped with modern residual current protection such as a Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection (RCBO) and is in good condition. Modern UK homes and those rewired within the last 15 years should already have Type A RCD or RCBO protection in their main fuse box, which offer sufficient protection.

Residential landlords are legally required to get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every 5 years. There's no such requirement for homeowners, but safety groups recommend getting a check every 10 years.

If your home has older fuse protection and does not incorporate RCBOs, or if you're unsure about the suitability of your home's electrical wiring, we recommend getting a professional electrician to carry out an EICR and, where necessary, upgrade your electrics before buying a plug-in solar product.

Checklist: What to consider when buying plug-in solar panels

If you think that a plug-in solar kit might be right for you, here's a checklist to run through before making your purchase:

1. Do you need planning permission? Check whether you need planning permission or other consent, as this could be a deal-breaker. 
2. Do you need the consent of a landlord or freeholder? If you're a renter or leaseholder, ask your landlord or freeholder if you will need permission to install plug-in panels, and if there are any restrictions on where you can place them.
3. How much solar power will you be able to use? Think about how much energy you use during daylight hours. If no-one is usually at home during the day, plug-in solar may not save you enough money to pay for itself.
4. Do you have a suitably sunny spot for your solar panels? Ensure that your proposed location receives plenty of sunlight, to generate the maximum energy. It may not be worthwhile if your panels will face north and/or be heavily shaded.
5. Will you be able to mount them safely? Check that you have somewhere suitable to fix the panels. If mounting on a wall, balcony or other structure, it must be strong enough to support the weight of the panels, and you should be able to access it safely to fix the mounting brackets. 
6. Can you do the installation yourself? Consider whether you have the DIY skills to install the panels. Solar panels are large and heavy (a typical 400W panel measures around 1.8 x 1.2 metres and can weigh as much as 20kg), and you’ll need to lift them into place. You may need to drill into walls to fix a mounting system, or securely fix brackets to a balcony railing, for example.
7. Do you have somewhere to plug the panels in? Check that you have a suitable mains socket to plug the panels into – ideally an external socket installed by a qualified electrician. If you don’t have an external socket, and don’t plan to install one, check that you can run the cable through a suitable channel or conduit to plug in inside your home. You must not use an extension lead.
8. Are your electrics up to scratch? If you own your home, get your electrical circuit checked by an electrician to ensure it is safe and suitable for plug-in panels. If you rent, you may need to ask your landlord to carry this out.
9. Is the kit you are buying compliant? If your situation looks favourable, look for compliant plug-in solar kits with a suitable mounting system. Kits will be sold with brackets for ground mounting, wall mounting, balcony mounting etc, so make sure your kit includes the components you need to install your system safely. 
10. Does the kit come with a long enough lead cable? Check that the supplied lead is long enough to reach from the panels to a suitable socket, as it is not permitted to use an extension lead.
11. Finally, once your panels are installed, don't forget to register with your DNO. Within 28 days of installation being completed, you need to register your plug-in solar kit with your DNO on the Plug-in Solar Registration website.

Are plug-in or rooftop solar panels better for your home?

Plug-in solar might be attractive for some households, provided the panels are safe to install in your home. But they don't produce anything like the amount of energy of rooftop systems.

We’ve compared the pros and cons of plug-in panels and rooftop solar in the table below.

Choose rooftop solar panels if you can

If you're in a position to install them, rooftop solar panel systems offer a better long-term investment. Panels can last for 25 years or more, and will continue to generate electricity – and save you money – far beyond the initial payback period, which means the total lifetime savings are far greater. They generate a lot more electricity than DIY options because they can be much larger.

They can be used to charge up a home storage battery, which means you can use the power generated in the evenings, which is when most UK homes use the most electricity. And you can be paid an export rate for electricity returned to the grid.  

They are more expensive to install and are only suitable if you have the right roof in the right location. But if you can afford the upfront costs, they are a better choice than plug-in panels for the amount of electricity generated and overall bill savings.

Find out whether rooftop solar panels are worth it for you, depending on where you live in the UK

If you're renting, or a leaseholder, or are otherwise unable to install rooftop solar, then plug-in panels are worth considering.

What about plug-in battery storage?

Plug-in batteries are not included in the new regulations and remain illegal for use in the UK.   

In Germany, however, where DIY Balkonkraftwerk (or 'balcony power plant', as it is known there) has been legal since 2024, around 60% of solar installations also have battery storage. 

Adding a battery increases the likelihood that you'll be able to use the energy you generate from your solar panels, since you can store it during the day and use it in the evening when demand is generally greatest. It means you can also benefit from storing cheap electricity on a time-of-use tariff, which you can then use during peak pricing periods.

Some manufacturers are offering 'plug-in ready' batteries, but they remain illegal for DIY installation in the UK at present. 

If they become legal in future, the combination of plug-in solar and battery storage could offer greater savings for many households than solar panels alone.

At present, you can add battery storage alongside plug-in solar panels, but it must be permanently wired and installed by a qualified electrician. Companies such as EcoFlow and Anker SOLIX offer a range of battery storage and combined solar and battery solutions that may be more suitable for some homes than plug-in solar alone.

It's worth thinking about how and when you use electricity, to work out whether panels alone will result in noticeable savings, or whether it only makes financial sense for you with the addition of a storage battery.

For more information on batteries, head to our guide to using solar panels alongside battery storage.