Great Britain has opened the market for plug-in solar systems from August 27, 2026
The systems can provide up to 800 W of power without conventional installation
Their rollout comes as demand for household solar and batteries continues to increase
The UK has made it legal to buy and use plug-in solar, also known as balcony solar, from August 27, 2026, across England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland is expected to follow suit.
The move for households to install the easy-to-use solar kits comes nearly five months after the government first announced the measure.
The UK government called for plug-in solar in March 2026 to expand access to clean energy for renters and apartment owners. It promised to ensure these kits are available in the supermarkets soon (see UK To Ensure Plug-In Solar Panels In Shops ‘Within Months').
Plug-in solar legalization follows independent safety testing covering the key electrical components of the systems. The government said compliant panels have been shown to be safe and compatible with UK wiring, and that it is more stringent than Germany’s where more than 500,000 new devices were plugged in in 2025.
Craig Morris, the CEO of the German Association of Plug-in Solar, told TaiyangNews earlier this year that Germany had crossed 1.3 million registered plug-in solar systems (see BVSS: Germany Exceeds 1.3 Million Plug-In (Balcony) Solar PV Systems).
Each plug-in solar kit can produce up to 800 W and provide as much as 20% of an average home's electricity use. The government said the output could power several common household devices at the same time when sunlight is available, including a refrigerator, television, Wi-Fi router, laptop, phone charger, and Xbox Series S.
It estimates these panels to help households save up to £110 a year on electricity bills. Consumers will be able to install the kits themselves without taking any electricity from the grid.
Calling plug-in solar simple and affordable way for households to control their energy bills, UK’s Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said, “From this summer, we’re giving more families the ability power their homes with clean homegrown energy.”
Planning permission requirements vary across Great Britain. In England, new permitted development rules make it easier to install plug-in solar panels. While Scotland and Wales have their local requirements, plug-in solar is not currently permitted in Northern Ireland. Listed buildings and homes in conservation areas may require additional approval.
Once the systems are installed, the users are required to register the device on the soon to be launched UK Plug-In Solar Registration website.
The government has also issued information and guidance checklist on installing and permissions required to install and use such devices.
The move comes as conventional solar installations are also increasing in Great Britain. Data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) showed almost 150,000 certified solar panel installations in H1 2026, 17% higher than the previous record for the first half of a year in 2025. The figure equates to roughly one installation every 74 seconds, according to the government.
Certified battery installations also nearly doubled from the same period a year earlier, reaching 36,000. Battery storage is particularly linked to solar, with 92% of battery installations this year added to homes with solar panels.
The government said plug-in solar builds on savings of up to £480 a year that homeowners can make through rooftop solar, while extending access to solar generation to a wider range of property types.
The renewable energy industry has welcomed the plug-in solar legalization. Solar Energy UK CEO Chris Hewitt said this will bring cheap, clean power to households that have not been able to access the benefits of solar and batteries.
Trevor Hutchings, the CEO of Renewable Energy Association, called it a huge step forward in democratizing renewable energy. Hutchings added, “Our electricity prices are some of the highest because of our exposure to volatile international gas markets. Innovations like plug-in solar and the wider renewables roll out will help us bring down bills and strengthen our energy sovereignty.”
