Plug-in solar kits
Plug-in solar (sometimes called balcony solar) is a small solar kit you plug into an ordinary socket at home, with no electrician needed. Since 27 August 2026 compliant kits have been legal to sell and use in Great Britain.
What it is
A kit is one or two panels, a small inverter (which turns the panels' power into normal mains power) and a lead with a standard UK plug. You mount the panels outside, for example in a garden, on a wall or on some balconies, and plug the lead into a wall socket. The power is used by whatever is switched on in your home at the time.
How big are they?
- The most a kit can feed into your home is 800 watts (0.8 kW). The panels themselves can be up to 2,000 watts, but the inverter caps the output.
- A typical rooftop system is about 4 kW, so a plug-in kit is much smaller.
- The government says a kit could supply up to about 20% of an average home's electricity. What you get depends on where the panels face, shade and the weather.
What changed in the law
Before 2026, UK plug and wiring rules didn't allow power-generating equipment to be plugged into a socket. In 2026 the government changed two sets of regulations (the Plugs and Sockets Safety Regulations and the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations) and published a product specification that kits must meet. Ofgem also approved a change to the grid connection rules (G98) to allow plug-in generators.
The rules in plain English
- Only buy a complete kit made to meet the UK specification. Don't build your own from parts.
- Plug it straight into a fixed wall socket. No extension leads or adapters.
- Only one plug-in kit per home under the current grid rules.
- Fit it following the maker's instructions, including electrical, building and fire safety.
- Northern Ireland: the specification says its use there is still under consideration, so check before buying.
Renters, flats and listed buildings
The government says you should check what permission you need before you buy. That may include your landlord, the building owner or freeholder, planning permission, or listed building consent. It's up to them whether to agree.
Do I get paid for spare power?
Any power you don't use flows out to the grid. Payments through the Smart Export Guarantee normally need an MCS-certified installation, so don't expect to be paid for a plug-in kit unless your supplier tells you otherwise. Ask your supplier before you buy if this matters to you.
Is it right for me?
It can suit people who can't have rooftop panels, such as renters or people in flats, or anyone who wants to start small. It works best if something is using power during the day. It won't run your home in a power cut, and it isn't a replacement for a full rooftop system. We don't recommend any particular brand or shop.