Plug-in solar is coming
to the UK this summer.
How much will you save?

The UK government confirmed it in March 2026. Compliant kits are expected in shops around July 2026. No roof needed, no electrician, no landlord sign-off — just panels on your balcony or garden, plugged into a standard socket.

Read the gov.uk announcement →
✓Confirmed by government March 2026
✓Kits expected July 2026
✓PVGIS irradiance data
✓Live UK grid stats
Why now
Mar 2026
Confirmed
Government announced the framework · 15 March 2026
~£500
Typical cost
800W kit · no installer · no wiring required
£1,100
15-yr saving
Carbon Brief analysis · typical London household

Germany simplified its plug-in solar rules in 2024. Within 12 months, over 1.2 million households had a kit. The UK announcement follows the same path — once the BSI publishes the product standard (expected July 2026), compliant kits will start appearing in Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Amazon. Use the calculator now to understand exactly what your saving will look like before you buy.

Timeline

UK plug-in solar legal status

Where we are in the journey from announcement to available kits.

✓
Mar 2026DONE
Government confirms legalisation
DESNZ announces plug-in solar will be permitted under amended wiring regulations.
✓
Apr 2026DONE
BS 7671 Amendment 4 published
IET updates the wiring regulations to enable plug-in solar connections up to 800W.
May 2026WE ARE HERE
Waiting for BSI product standard
Wiring regs are in place. We're now waiting for BSI to publish the product standard so compliant kits can go on sale.
Jul 2026
BSI product standard expected
BSI publishes the product standard. Compliant kits can legally go on sale.
H2 2026
First kits hit UK shops
EcoFlow STREAM and other manufacturers expected to launch BSI-compliant kits.
2027+
Mass adoption
Prices fall as competition grows. DNO notification goes fully digital.
Who is this for
🏢
Renters
4.6 million privately rented households in England. Traditional solar requires a landlord, a roof, and £10,000+. Plug-in needs none of those — and when kits arrive in shops, you can take yours with you when you move.
🏙️
Flat-dwellers
380,000+ homes in England have a balcony. The plan: clip panels to your railings, plug into a standard socket, start generating. No structural modifications, no planning permission, no landlord approval needed.
🏡
Homeowners too
Already have roof solar? A balcony kit will cover your base load — fridge, router, standby devices — maximising the value of every watt you generate throughout the day.
Find your kit

Not sure which kit is right for you?

Answer 5 quick questions about your space, orientation, and budget. We’ll recommend the best plug-in solar kit for your setup — with two alternatives to compare.

📍Installation location
🧭Panel orientation
📏Available space
🔋Battery preference
💷Budget range
Take the full quiz →
Step 1 of 5

Where will you install?

This affects how much sunlight your panels will receive.

Calculator

See what you’ll save before kits go on sale

Real PVGIS irradiance for your exact postcode · Live UK grid data · Shareable results link — so you’re ready the moment compliant kits land in shops

Your postcode
System size
Placement
Home during the day?
Supplier · Ofgem Q2 2026 · verify ↗
24.5p
10p50p/kWh
📍
Enter your postcode to see your estimate
Real PVGIS irradiance — no two postcodes are identical
How it works
01
Buy a compliant kit
Once the BSI product standard is published (expected July 2026), compliant kits will be available from EcoFlow, Amazon, Lidl, and others. Expect to pay £500–£750 for an 800W system.
02
Install it yourself
Mount on your balcony rail, flat roof, or garden. South-facing at ~35° is ideal, but east/west works well. No tools, no trades.
03
Plug in and notify your DNO
Connect the cable to a standard 13A socket. Notify your Distribution Network Operator within 28 days via a simple online form — G98 rules.
FAQ