SI 2026 No. 848 Explained: The Law Behind Plug-In Solar

Q: What Is SI 2026 No. 848?

SI 2026 No. 848 is a statutory instrument — a piece of secondary legislation made under powers granted by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It was made on 16 July 2026 and comes into force on 27 August 2026. Its full title is The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, and it amend

Q: What Does It Change?

The original 1994 regulations only contemplated plugs as consumers of electricity. SI 2026/848 introduces the concept of a plug-in microgenerator — a device that generates electricity and feeds it back through a BS 1363 plug. Key provisions: - Definition: A "plug-in microgenerator" is a device that

Q: Who Made This Decision?

The statutory instrument was made by Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers at DESNZ, following a public consultation that ran from June to 30 June 2026. The government's March 2026 announcement set the direction, and the consultation process refined the technical details. The final instrum

Q: Is SI 2026/848 the same as the BSI product standard?

No. SI 2026/848 is the law that makes plug-in solar legal. The Interim Product Specification v2 is the technical standard that kits must meet. BSI will eventually publish a full product standard to replace the interim spec.

A plain-English breakdown of the statutory instrument that legalises plug-in solar in the UK from 27 August 2026.

What Is SI 2026 No. 848?

SI 2026 No. 848 is a statutory instrument — a piece of secondary legislation made under powers granted by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It was made on 16 July 2026 and comes into force on 27 August 2026.

Its full title is The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, and it amends the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 to create a legal framework for plug-in solar devices.

Before this change, plugging any generating device into a standard 13A socket was technically illegal under UK product safety law. SI 2026/848 creates a specific exemption for devices meeting the Interim Product Specification.

What Does It Change?

The original 1994 regulations only contemplated plugs as consumers of electricity. SI 2026/848 introduces the concept of a plug-in microgenerator — a device that generates electricity and feeds it back through a BS 1363 plug.

Key provisions:

Definition: A "plug-in microgenerator" is a device that generates electricity from a renewable source and connects to the fixed wiring via a BS 1363 plug
Power limit: Maximum 800VA / 3.5A AC output
Product standard: Must comply with the DESNZ Interim Product Specification (v2, published 16 July 2026)
Fuse requirement: 5A fuse in the BS 1363 plug (not the standard 13A)
One per household: Only one plug-in microgenerator per domestic premises

How Does This Relate to BS 7671?

BS 7671 Amendment 4 (published April 2026) updated the wiring regulations to accommodate plug-in solar at the electrical installation level. SI 2026/848 addresses the product safety side — making it legal to sell and use the plug itself.

Together, these two changes create the complete legal framework:

BS 7671 Amendment 4: Allows the electrical installation to accept power from a plug-in device
SI 2026/848: Makes the plug-in device itself legal to sell and use

The Interim Product Specification v2

SI 2026/848 references the DESNZ Interim Product Specification v2, which sets out the detailed technical requirements for compliant kits. This is not a British Standard — it's a government-published specification that will eventually be replaced by a full BSI product standard.

Key requirements from the IPS v2:

Maximum AC output: 800VA / 3.5A
Maximum DC input: 2000W
BS 1363 plug with 5A fuse
No battery storage in the plug circuit
No connection via extension lead
Built-in anti-islanding protection
Automatic disconnection on power failure

Who Made This Decision?

The statutory instrument was made by Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers at DESNZ, following a public consultation that ran from June to 30 June 2026.

The government's March 2026 announcement set the direction, and the consultation process refined the technical details. The final instrument reflects input from industry, consumer groups, and electrical safety bodies.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you're a UK householder wanting to install plug-in solar:

From 27 August 2026: It is legal to buy and use a compliant plug-in solar kit
September 2026: The first certified kit — EcoFlow STREAM — launches
You still need to notify your DNO within 28 days of installation
DIY builds using separate microinverters and panels do not qualify unless sold as a certified system

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SI 2026/848 the same as the BSI product standard?

No. SI 2026/848 is the law that makes plug-in solar legal. The Interim Product Specification v2 is the technical standard that kits must meet. BSI will eventually publish a full product standard to replace the interim spec.

Does this apply in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

SI 2026/848 applies to England, Wales, and Scotland. Northern Ireland has separate product safety regulations and may need its own legislative change.

What happens if I buy a non-compliant kit?

It remains illegal to sell a non-compliant plug-in solar device in the UK after 27 August. Enforcement focuses on retailers, not individual consumers. However, non-compliant kits won't carry the required safety certifications.