Short answer: yes in England, Wales and Scotland since 27 August 2026, for a solar-only device with an output of at most 800 W that meets the government's Interim Product Specification, plugged directly into a socket, one per household, notified to your network operator. Northern Ireland is not covered by the connection rule.
The law: SI 2026/848
The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026 were made on 16 July 2026 and came into force on 27 August 2026. They do two things:
- The plug: a notified body may approve a standard plug for a plug-in microgenerator, although BS 1363 restricts plugging in generators, if it complies with the Interim Product Specification (regulation 2, UK-wide).
- The connection: under the ESQCR, a plug-in microgenerator may be connected if it "complies with the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification" (regulation 3, England and Wales and Scotland only).
A "plug-in microgenerator" is defined as a source that generates electricity from sunlight, "has a maximum rated alternating current output not exceeding 800 watts", connects "by means of a standard plug and socket", runs in parallel with the network, and is not designed to store energy imported from the home.
The product rules: Interim Product Specification v2.0
- Maximum apparent power 800 VA, maximum current 3.5 A; panels up to 2,000 W DC in total; above 960 W, makers must advise a professional assessment of your installation (section 4.1).
- Battery systems and solar devices with built-in batteries are outside its scope (section 1).
- Instructions must state that extension cables, multi-way adaptors, RCD adaptors and travel adaptors are not permitted.
Source: DESNZ, Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification, Version 2.0, July 2026. The government response explains the choices (July 2026; consultation page).
The network rules: G98
Ofgem approved the change to Engineering Recommendation G98 on 11 August 2026. It "limits the connection of Plug-in Micro-generators to one per Customer Installation (effectively one per household)" and "requires customers to notify their DNO of installation or decommissioning", with simplified forms (Ofgem decision DCRP/MP/26/02). The specification itself would allow one device per circuit, but G98 takes precedence until it changes.
What this means at home
- Buy a kit whose exact model is on the ENA register, and register it: do I need to tell my DNO?
- Renting or leasehold: get consent first (government response).
- Battery systems are not plug-in: can I add a battery?
- The output limit and what it costs you in kWh: the 800 W limit explained.
This page summarises official texts; it is not legal or electrical advice. Then see what a kit would make at home with the calculator, and the kits on sale.
Frequently asked questions
When did plug-in solar become legal in the UK?
SI 2026/848 came into force on 27 August 2026. It was made on 16 July 2026 and laid before Parliament on 17 July 2026.
Is plug-in solar legal in Northern Ireland?
The amendment that lets a compliant plug-in microgenerator be connected (regulation 3, ESQCR) extends to England and Wales and Scotland only. The plug approval change (regulation 2) extends to Northern Ireland too, but that alone does not cover connection. Check with NIE Networks before installing in Northern Ireland.
Do I need an electrician?
The plug-in route is designed for self-installation of a compliant kit into a socket. The specification asks makers to advise a professional check of your installation when the panels exceed 960 W, and DNO guidance points to the Energy Saving Trust checklist. Consultation respondents flagged older consumer units and rewirable fuses: if your home has them, ask an electrician first.