Is plug-in solar legal in the UK?
Yes. Since 27 August 2026 you can buy a plug-in solar kit and plug it into a socket at home in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is handled separately.
The rules in five lines
- 800W maximum output. The kit's microinverter can feed in up to 800W. One kit per home.
- Buy a complete, compliant kit. It must be listed as compliant on the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Type Test Register. Don't build your own from separate panels and inverters.
- Plug straight into a fixed socket. No extension leads, reels or adaptors. An outdoor weatherproof socket is ideal.
- Register it. Kits come with registration details (myplugin.solar) so your local network operator knows it's there – do it soon after installing.
- Solar only. Plug-in batteries aren't allowed on a socket yet.
Everything in our price table is sold as a complete kit, and we flag any we couldn't confirm on the ENA register.
Renting or in a flat? You'll usually need your landlord's or freeholder's OK before fixing anything to walls or railings. See plug-in solar for renters.
Quick answers
Is plug-in solar legal in the UK?
Yes, in England, Scotland and Wales since 27 August 2026. Northern Ireland has separate rules.
How big can a plug-in solar kit be?
The microinverter can feed in up to 800W. The panels can add up to more than 800W – many kits have 900–1,260W of panels – because the inverter caps the output.
Do I need an electrician?
No. A compliant kit is designed to be set up by you and plugged into an existing socket. You don't need MCS certification either.
Can I use an extension lead?
No. Plug the kit's own lead straight into a fixed socket – no extension leads, cable reels or adaptors.
Do I have to register it?
Yes. After installing, register the kit – set-up guides point to myplugin.solar – so your local electricity network knows it's there. Retailers advise doing it within 28 days.
Can I add a plug-in battery?
Not on a socket yet. The 2026 rules cover plug-in solar only; batteries still need a proper installation.
Compare 22 kits from £336, with savings for your postcode.
Compare all kit pricesUpdated 2026-11-14.