DESNZ Plug-in Solar Consultation Explained

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) published a consultation on plug-in solar on 16 June 2026. It closed for responses on 30 June. The government response is expected around 22 July 2026, and it could finally remove the legal barriers that have prevented plug-in solar from reaching UK shelves.

Here is what the consultation proposes, why it matters, and what to expect next.

What the Consultation Is About

The consultation proposes two things:

1. Amending the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 (PSSR) — the law that currently makes it illegal to sell or supply plug-in solar devices in the UK.
2. Introducing an interim product specification — a technical standard that defines what a compliant "plug-in microgenerator" must look like.

Both changes are necessary. The PSSR amendment removes the legal barrier to sale and supply. The interim product specification ensures that only safe, properly designed products reach consumers. Neither works without the other.

Why the PSSR Is the Problem

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 were written decades before anyone considered plugging a solar panel into a wall socket. The regulations restrict the sale and supply of plugs and sockets that do not meet certain safety requirements — and a plug-in solar system, which feeds electricity back through a standard 13A plug, falls foul of those rules.

It is not that plug-in solar is inherently dangerous. The technology is mature and has been legal in Germany since 2024, where over 1.2 million balcony solar systems are now installed. The problem is that UK law was never updated to accommodate it.

The DESNZ consultation proposes a targeted amendment to the PSSR. Rather than rewriting the entire regulation, it would create a specific exemption for plug-in microgenerators that meet the interim product specification. This is the fastest route to legalisation.

What Is a "Plug-in Microgenerator"?

The consultation introduces the term "plug-in microgenerator" as the official UK designation for these products. This is the government's preferred term, replacing the various names used informally — balcony solar, plug-in solar, guerrilla solar, and so on.

A plug-in microgenerator, as defined in the consultation, is a device that:

• Generates electricity from solar photovoltaic panels
• Connects to the domestic electricity supply via a standard BS 1363 (13A) plug
• Meets the requirements of the interim product specification

The term is important because it creates a clear legal category. Products that meet the definition get the PSSR exemption. Products that do not remain illegal to sell or supply.

The Two Proposals in Detail

Proposal 1: PSSR Amendment

The amendment would add an exemption to the PSSR for plug-in microgenerators. Once in force, it would become legal to sell, supply, and use these products in the UK — provided they meet the interim product specification.

This is the critical change. Without it, retailers like Lidl, Iceland, and Amazon cannot legally stock plug-in solar kits, and manufacturers cannot legally supply them to the UK market.

Proposal 2: Interim Product Specification

The interim product specification sets out the technical requirements a plug-in microgenerator must meet. Key parameters include:

• Single phase only
• Maximum 253V AC at 50Hz
• Maximum 800VA apparent power
• Maximum 3.5A current
• Maximum 2000W DC PV module power
• One device per household
• No battery storage
• BS 1363 plug with 5A fuse and partially insulated pins

For a full breakdown of these requirements and what they mean in practice, see our detailed guide to the interim product specification.

Why "Interim"?

The word "interim" is deliberate. This specification is a bridge — it gets products to market quickly while longer-term British Standards are developed through BSI.

The BSI product standard will be more comprehensive, covering areas like durability testing, environmental protection ratings, and detailed manufacturing requirements. But developing a full British Standard takes time, and the government did not want to delay legalisation.

The interim specification therefore sets a safety floor. Products meeting it can be sold immediately after the PSSR amendment takes effect. Once the full BSI standard publishes, it will likely replace the interim specification, and manufacturers will need to meet the higher bar.

What the Government Said About Pace

One phrase from the consultation stands out: the government intends to "move at pace" after the consultation response. This language is unusually direct for a government document and suggests that ministers want to minimise the gap between the consultation closing and the law changing.

The consultation closed on 30 June 2026. The government response is expected around 22 July 2026. If the response confirms the proposals (which is widely expected, given the strength of government support), the PSSR amendment could follow within weeks.

In practical terms, this means:

• July 2026: Government response published, confirming the amendment
• Late July/August 2026: PSSR amendment laid before Parliament
• Autumn 2026: Compliant products appear on UK retail shelves

This is, by government standards, extremely fast. The normal timescale for regulatory change of this kind is 12-18 months.

What This Means for Buyers

If you are thinking about plug-in solar, the consultation confirms that the UK market is about to open. But timing matters.

Right now (July 2026): You cannot legally buy a plug-in solar kit and plug it into your wall socket. You can buy a kit like the EcoFlow STREAM and have it hardwired by a competent person (a qualified electrician registered with a CPS), but this is not the same as plug-and-play.

After the PSSR amendment: Retailers can legally stock and sell compliant kits. You will be able to buy one and plug it into a standard 13A socket — no electrician required.

What to watch for: The government response around 22 July. If it confirms the proposals, start researching kits. For a head start, read our guide to what's currently available and the legality overview.

How the Consultation Fits the Bigger Picture

The DESNZ consultation is one piece of a three-part regulatory jigsaw:

1. BS 7671 Amendment 4 — the wiring standard, published April 2026. This made plug-in solar installable from an electrical safety perspective. Read our plain English guide.
2. The PSSR amendment — proposed in this consultation. This makes plug-in solar legal to sell and supply.
3. The BSI product standard — the full technical standard. This sets the long-term quality bar for products.

With Amendment 4 already in place, the PSSR amendment is the remaining blocker. Once it passes, the UK joins Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and a growing list of European countries where plug-in solar is a mainstream consumer product.

What Happened in the Consultation Responses

The consultation invited responses from manufacturers, retailers, consumer groups, electrical safety bodies, and the general public. While the full responses will not be published until the government response, the broad themes are predictable:

• Manufacturers are supportive and ready to supply. EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX, and others have UK-ready products waiting.
• Retailers want clarity on compliance marking so they know what they can and cannot sell.
• Safety bodies will have pushed for robust product testing requirements.
• Consumers overwhelmingly support legalisation, based on the 2025 public attitudes survey showing 78% support for household solar.

The government's language throughout the consultation suggests strong confidence in proceeding. The question is not whether the amendment will happen, but how quickly.

What to Do Now

1. Do not buy a plug-in solar kit expecting to plug it in today. It remains illegal until the PSSR amendment takes effect.
2. If you want solar now, buy a kit and have it professionally hardwired. This is legal under BS 7671 Amendment 4.
3. Watch for the government response around 22 July 2026. We will cover it as soon as it drops.
4. Research your options. Read our buying checklist and work out where you would mount panels while you wait.

The regulatory finish line is in sight. After years of delay, plug-in solar is weeks away from becoming a legal, mainstream option for UK households.