Summary
Great Britain will allow households to buy and use plug-in solar panels from 27 August 2026. The UK government says compliant kits can deliver up to 800W and save up to £110 a year, although property permissions may still be required.
The UK government says households across Great Britain will be able to buy and use plug-in solar panels from 27 August 2026, following legal changes covering the technology. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says compliant kits can produce up to 800 watts and could reduce household electricity bills by as much as £110 a year.
The systems are intended to make small-scale solar available beyond homes with suitable roofs or the money for a conventional rooftop installation. They can be placed in outdoor spaces or on some balconies, subject to any permissions required for the property.
What the plug-in systems provide
Each plug-in solar kit is rated to produce up to 800W of power. The department says this could provide up to 20% of the electricity used by an average home. In its example, the output could run a typical fridge, television, Wi-Fi router, laptop, phone charger and Xbox Series S at the same time while the sun is shining.
Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, so actual output changes with sunlight and the installation. The 800W figure is a maximum power rating rather than a guarantee of continuous generation. The government describes the systems as requiring no installation cost and says they can supply household electricity without drawing that power from the grid.
The technology is particularly relevant to renters, flat owners and households whose properties are unsuitable for rooftop solar. Energy Saving Trust Knowledge Manager Joanna O’Loan said savings would vary between homes, while giving more households control over their energy use and costs.
Safety checks, permissions and availability
The legal changes followed what the department describes as rigorous independent safety testing of all key electrical elements. The testing found that compliant panels are safe and compatible with UK wiring, according to the government. It also says the UK safety specification is more stringent than Germany’s, where plug-in solar is already widely used.
People may still need permission before buying or installing a system. Depending on the property, this could include approval from a landlord, building owner or freeholder, as well as planning permission or listed building consent. Landlords, freeholders and councils will decide individual requests.
Retailers including Currys, B&Q, Screwfix, Amazon, Argos and Wickes have worked with the government or committed to stocking the products. The announcement says the panels will become available in stores and online, with some retailers referring to availability in the coming weeks.
The rollout comes as demand for solar and batteries rises in Great Britain. The government cited almost 150,000 certified solar-panel installations in the first six months of 2026, 17% above the previous highest start to a year, along with 36,000 certified battery installations during the same period.
Plug-in solar will not provide the same scale of generation as a full rooftop system, but the policy is designed to lower the entry barrier for small amounts of household solar. The immediate benefit for any individual home will depend on the kit, available sunlight, household electricity use and whether the property can receive the necessary permissions.