The UK Plug-In Solar Consultation: What It Says, What It Means, and How to Respond Before 30 June
The government published a formal consultation on 16 June 2026 that decides when plug-in solar kits become legal to buy in UK shops. It closes 30 June — 14 days. It proposes amending the plug safety regulations and creating an interim product specification based on Germany's standard. Batteries are excluded. You can respond online or by email. We explain every section below and give you template responses for both routes.
The short version
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) wants to make plug-in solar kits legal to sell in the UK. Two things need to change: the safety regulations that currently ban selling solar kits with a 13A plug, and a new product specification that defines what a compliant kit looks like.
This consultation asks whether the government's approach is right. It covers panels and microinverters only. No batteries. No wind. The first legal kits will be solar-only.
The consultation closes on 30 June. DESNZ is expected to publish a summary of responses in the weeks after it closes. Legal sales could begin late summer or early autumn 2026.
Anyone can respond. The government explicitly invites consumer views, not just industry. There are two ways: an online form (8 pages, takes about 10 minutes) or an email to pluginsolarconsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk (5 minutes with our template below).
Confirmed
Confirmed
Expected
Expected
Expected
Confirmed
What are the two legal changes being proposed?
Two things need to happen before a plug-in solar kit can legally sit on a shop shelf.
First: changing the plug rules. The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 (PSSR) currently require plugs to conform to BS 1363. That standard does not allow plugs and sockets to connect electricity-generating equipment. It is currently illegal to sell a solar kit with a UK 13A plug designed to feed power into your home. The government wants to amend PSSR to create an exception for plug-in solar kits that meet the new safety specification.
Second: creating an interim product specification. This is the government's own safety standard, bridging the gap until BSI publishes the full product standard (expected mid-July). The interim spec defines what a compliant kit must do: how it behaves when the grid goes down, what connector it uses, its maximum output, and what safety testing it must pass.
There are also changes needed to ESQCR (the regulations governing electrical installations) and the G98 Engineering Recommendation (the rules for connecting generation to local networks). Those are being handled separately, not in this consultation.
Makes it legal to sell solar kits with a 13A plug, provided they meet the interim spec.
Defines what a compliant kit must do: safety cutoffs, max output, testing requirements.
Rules for electrical installations. Being updated separately.
DNO notification rules for small generators. Being streamlined.
What does the consultation cover (and what doesn't it)?
The consultation uses the term "plug-in microgenerators." The legal definition covers solar-only kits, without batteries, connected directly to a standard UK mains socket.
- Solar panels + microinverter
- Connection via standard 13A plug
- Up to 800W AC output
- Direct connection to mains socket
- Battery storage (any kit with a battery)
- Small-scale wind generators
- Systems over 800W
- Kits not connected via 13A plug
Why is the interim spec based on Germany's standard?
The consultation confirms the interim spec will use the German standard DIN VDE V 0126-95 as its baseline, adapted for the UK context.
Germany is the world's largest plug-in solar market, with over one million installations registered by mid-2025 — roughly double the year before. Their standard has been tested at scale. Every major manufacturer already builds to it: EcoFlow, Hoymiles, Anker, Zendure, Jackery. Basing the UK spec on the German one means manufacturers will not need to redesign their products from scratch. They need to adapt for the UK 13A plug and meet any UK-specific additions, but the core engineering requirements should be familiar.
The consultation explicitly asks whether this approach is right (Question B2). The government wants to know if using the German baseline is appropriate for UK conditions, including our different plug standard, older housing stock, and different wiring practices.
The one question that could change everything
Question B6 is the sleeper in this consultation:
"Should the Interim Product Specification limit the number of microinverters to one per household or one per household circuit?"
One microinverter per household = a hard cap of 800W of plug-in solar generation per home. One per circuit = multiple kits on different circuits, potentially 1,600W or more.
For a typical UK flat or terraced house, 800W might be reasonable. But for a semi-detached or detached house with a south-facing garden and a garage roof, 800W is a significant limitation. Two 400W panels on the garage and two on the shed could easily justify 1,600W on two separate circuits.
The German limit is 800W (800 VA) of inverter output, recently raised from 600 VA. Most German households run a single kit, but the option to expand exists.
| Property type | One per household | One per circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Flat / maisonette | 800W is enough ✓ | 800W per circuit ✓ |
| Terraced house | 800W is enough ✓ | Expandable ✓ |
| Semi-detached | Limited if you have garden/garage space ⚠ | Flexible, add a second kit ✓ |
| Detached | Significantly limited ✗ | Full flexibility across circuits ✓ |
What did the safety study find?
DESNZ commissioned an independent electrical safety study, published alongside the consultation. The headline finding: plug-in solar products compliant with the German standard can be safely installed on UK domestic wiring, provided minimum product standards are met.
This directly contradicts the narrative from the electrical industry bodies (ECA, IET, NICEIC, SELECT, Electrical Safety First) who warned earlier this month against a "rushed rollout" citing fire risks and reverse power flow concerns.
The government is not ignoring those concerns. It is saying: we tested it, and it works, provided the products meet the spec. The interim product specification is the mechanism that ensures only properly tested kits reach the market.
What should consumers be told at the point of sale?
Section C asks what information should be provided to buyers. This determines what is printed on the box, what the retailer has to tell you, and what the instruction manual must include.
Question C1 asks what consumers should know before buying and installing: safety information, suitability of existing circuits and protective devices, suitability of dwellings, and product limitations.
Question C2 asks about risks of misuse, misunderstanding, or unsafe adaptation.
The sensible middle ground: clear guidance on checking your consumer unit has RCD protection (most installed after 2008 do), a recommendation to avoid extension leads, and a warning about older properties with rewirable fuses.
When can you actually buy a legal kit?
The consultation gives us the clearest timeline yet:
- 30 June 2026: Consultation closes
- Expected July 2026: DESNZ publishes summary of responses
- After closing: Final policy decisions, legislation drafting, interim spec finalised
- "As soon as practicable": Implementation
The BSI product standard is expected mid-July, roughly the same time as the response summary. The PSSR amendment needs to be laid before Parliament.
A realistic reading: compliant kits could be legally on sale by late August or September 2026. But that depends on no delays in the legislative process, manufacturers certifying quickly against the interim spec, and retailers having stock ready to go.
The 0% VAT on solar products expires in March 2027, when it reverts to the 5% reduced rate. That gives a window of roughly six months where legal kits would be completely VAT-free. After that, a £449 kit costs £471.
How to respond: online form
The government has an online form on Citizen Space with 8 pages. Below are suggested responses you can copy and paste into each field. Change anything you disagree with. The most useful responses are specific and personal.
Page 1: About You — Fill in your name, email, and select "Individual" for organisation. Select "Yes" for publishing your response. For "How did you hear about this consultation?" select "Other" and type "UK Plug In Solar" or wherever you actually heard about it.
Section A: PSSR Amendments — 5 questions
CopyYes. The current situation, where plug-in solar products are widely available online but technically illegal to sell, is worse for consumer safety than a regulated market with clear standards. Amending the PSSR to allow products that meet the Interim Product Specification is a proportionate and practical change. It brings the UK in line with Germany, where the same technology has been deployed safely at scale.
CopyYes. Scoping the amendment specifically to plug-in solar products that meet the Interim Product Specification is clear. The link between the PSSR amendment and the specification acts as a built-in safeguard. No further amendments are needed to provide clarity.
CopyNo. The Interim Product Specification, based on the proven German standard, addresses the key safety concerns: anti-islanding protection, maximum output limits, and compatibility with UK domestic wiring. The independent safety study commissioned by DESNZ confirms that compliant products can be safely connected via a standard plug.
CopyThe risk is low provided the amendment is clearly scoped to reference the Interim Product Specification and limited to solar microgenerators up to 800W. The specification itself acts as the safeguard. I would not support a broad amendment that could be applied to other equipment types.
CopyYes. The approach is clear: products must meet the Interim Product Specification to be legally sold. This is enforceable through existing trading standards mechanisms. The priority should be speed of implementation so consumers can buy compliant, tested products rather than unregulated imports.
Section B: Interim Product Specification — 7 questions
CopyYes. Waiting for the full BSI standard before allowing any legal sales would leave consumers buying unregulated products for longer. An interim spec based on a proven standard is a practical solution that gets safe, tested products to market faster.
CopyYes. Germany has deployed over one million plug-in solar kits under this standard with a strong safety record. Every major manufacturer already builds to it. Harmonising with the German approach means UK consumers get access to a wider range of tested, proven products from day one, while UK-specific adaptations (13A plug, housing stock differences) are addressed through amendments to the spec.
CopyYes. The safety study published alongside this consultation confirms that products compliant with the German standard can be safely installed on UK domestic wiring. The engineering controls — anti-islanding protection, maximum output limits, and Type A RCD compatibility — are well-tested and proportionate. Nothing appears missing or over-specified.
CopyBased on the safety study's findings, the Interim Product Specification addresses the key risks. The most important requirement is that anti-islanding protection shuts the system down within milliseconds if the grid loses power. This is standard in all compliant microinverters and is covered by the spec.
CopyThe spec should explicitly require clear, visual consumer guidance on: (1) checking consumer unit compatibility (Type A RCD or better), (2) avoiding extension leads, and (3) properties with rewirable fuses needing professional assessment. This should be a product requirement, not an optional recommendation.
CopyOne per circuit. A per-household limit of 800W is unnecessarily restrictive for homeowners with suitable space and separate circuits. A per-circuit limit maintains safety (each circuit is protected individually) while allowing flexibility for larger properties. This aligns with the German approach and avoids permanently capping the UK market at entry level.
CopyThe interim spec should include a clear pathway to alignment with the full BSI standard once published, so that manufacturers know what to expect and consumers are not left with orphaned products. Transition arrangements should allow products certified under the interim spec to remain on sale for a reasonable period after the BSI standard takes effect.
Section C: Consumer Protection — 2 questions
CopyAt the point of sale, consumers should be clearly told: (1) their consumer unit should have RCD protection, and how to check (a photo guide showing Type A vs Type AC would be ideal), (2) the kit must plug directly into a wall socket, not an extension lead or adapter, (3) older properties with rewirable fuses may need an electrician to assess suitability, (4) the kit generates electricity only while the sun is shining, with no battery storage, and (5) they must notify their DNO via the G98 process after installation. This information should be concise, visual, and included both on-pack and in the online product listing. Burying critical safety information in a lengthy manual that nobody reads is not sufficient.
CopyThe main risks are: (1) plugging into an extension lead or multi-socket adapter, increasing fire risk, (2) attempting to connect to unsuitable older wiring (rewirable fuses with no RCD), particularly in pre-1980s properties, (3) assuming a kit includes battery storage when it does not, leading to disappointment rather than a safety issue, and (4) consumers attempting to connect more than one kit without understanding circuit limitations. These risks are most relevant in older dwellings (pre-2008 consumer units) and HMOs where multiple tenants might independently install kits. Clear, mandatory on-pack labelling and a simple online compatibility checker would address most of these risks more effectively than lengthy written guidance.
Section D: Implementation and Timing — 2 questions
CopyYes, and it should be maintained or accelerated. Every week of delay is a week where consumers continue buying unregulated products. The safety study supports the technology. The German standard is proven. The legislative change is narrowly scoped. There is no good reason for extended delay.
CopyClear government guidance, published alongside the interim spec, that explains in plain English what consumers need to check before purchasing. A simple online tool ("Is my home suitable for plug-in solar?") would be more effective than written guidance alone. The government should also ensure that non-compliant products are removed from UK online marketplaces once the interim spec is in force.
Section E: General — 1 question
CopyThe battery exclusion is understandable for the initial rollout, but DESNZ should start the regulatory process for battery-integrated plug-in solar systems as soon as possible. The European market has already moved to panels-plus-battery products. Delaying the UK battery pathway risks the same situation we are trying to fix here: consumers buying unregulated battery products because compliant ones are not available. I would also encourage DESNZ to publish clear guidance on the VAT treatment of plug-in solar products to confirm they qualify for the 0% rate before March 2027.
How to respond: email template
If you prefer to skip the form, you can email your response directly to pluginsolarconsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk before 30 June 2026.
Copy the template below, change anything you disagree with, add your name and postcode, and send. As above, a few lines in your own words about why plug-in solar matters to you personally will carry more weight than sending the template unchanged.
Subject: Plug-in Solar Consultation Response — Individual Consumer
Dear Clean Power Unit,
I am responding to the plug-in solar consultation as an individual consumer interested in purchasing a plug-in solar kit for my home.
Section A: PSSR Amendments
I support the proposed amendment to the PSSR to allow plug-in solar kits to connect via a BS 1363 plug, provided they meet the Interim Product Specification. This is a proportionate and practical change.
The current position, where products are widely available online but technically illegal to sell or use, is worse for consumer safety than a regulated market with clear standards. Legalising compliant products and removing non-compliant ones is the right approach.
I do not believe this amendment creates a significant risk of misuse for other equipment types, provided the PSSR amendment is clearly scoped to reference the Interim Product Specification and limited to solar microgenerators.
Section B: Interim Product Specification
I support the use of DIN VDE 0126-95 as a baseline for the interim spec. Germany has deployed over one million plug-in solar kits under this standard with a strong safety record. Harmonising with the German approach also benefits UK consumers by ensuring a wider choice of tested, proven products from day one.
On question B6, I believe the specification should limit microinverters to one per circuit, not one per household. A per-household limit of 800W is unnecessarily restrictive for homeowners with suitable space and wiring. A per-circuit limit maintains safety while allowing flexibility for larger properties. This also aligns with the German approach.
Section C: Consumer Protection
At the point of sale, consumers should be clearly informed that:
- Their consumer unit should have RCD protection (and how to check)
- The kit should be plugged directly into a wall socket, not via an extension lead or adapter
- Older properties (pre-2008 consumer units or rewirable fuses) may need an electrician to assess suitability
- The kit does not include battery storage and only generates electricity while the sun is shining
- They should notify their DNO via the G98 process after installation
This information should be concise, visual, and included both on-pack and in the product listing. Burying it in a lengthy manual is not sufficient.
Section D: Implementation and Timing
The proposed timeline is feasible and should be maintained. The longer the gap between consumer awareness and legal availability, the more people will buy unregulated products from overseas sellers. Speed of implementation directly improves safety outcomes.
I would welcome clear government guidance, published alongside the interim spec, that explains in plain English what consumers need to check before purchasing. A simple online tool (e.g., "Is my home suitable for plug-in solar?") would be more effective than written guidance alone.
Section E: General
The battery exclusion is understandable for the initial rollout, but I would encourage DESNZ to start the regulatory process for battery-integrated systems as soon as possible. The European market has already moved to panels-plus-battery products, and delay risks consumers buying unregulated battery products in the meantime.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
[Your name]
[Your postcode — this helps DESNZ understand the geographic spread of responses]
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an expert to respond?
No. The government explicitly invites views from individual consumers. Your perspective as a potential buyer is exactly what they want.
Can I just answer some of the questions?
Yes. On the online form, you can skip any question. By email, include as much or as little as you want.
Will my response be published?
The government usually publishes a summary of all responses. On the form, you can choose whether your individual response can be published in full, anonymously, or kept confidential.
Is the online form or email better?
Both carry equal weight. The online form is more structured and takes about 10 minutes. Email is faster if you use the template above. The form is at energygovuk.citizenspace.com.
What happens after 30 June?
DESNZ reviews all responses and is expected to publish a summary in the weeks after closing. After that, final policy decisions and legislation drafting begin.
When will kits actually be on sale?
Best case: late August or September 2026. This depends on the PSSR amendment passing through Parliament and manufacturers certifying against the interim spec.
What to do now
Use the online form with the copy-paste responses above, or send the email template to pluginsolarconsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk. It takes 5–10 minutes.
The more consumer responses this consultation gets, the harder it is to water down or delay. Send it to anyone you know who is interested in plug-in solar.
We will update it when the government publishes its summary of consultation responses.