UK/GB: Plug-in solar: Regulatory amendment and interim product specification
The UK government is consulting on regulatory amendments and an interim product specification to allow plug-in solar panels (also known as balcony solar) to be used safely without needing a licensed electrician for installation. The proposal aims to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers for households while maintaining safety standards.
Background
- The UK government is consulting on allowing "plug-in solar" — small solar panels that plug into a standard household wall socket without a licensed electrician.
- Currently, UK wiring rules (Part P and BS 7671) make most solar installation expensive and professional-only, effectively blocking these consumer devices.
- Plug-in solar kits are already common in the US and EU but sit in a legal grey area in the UK.
- The proposal exempts these devices from Part P if they meet safety specs: built-in inverter, G98 grid-tie approval, and an automatic interlock that prevents backfeeding power during a grid outage (which could electrocute repair workers).
- If passed, this could make entry-level solar generation much cheaper and more accessible, especially for renters and flat-dwellers who can't install rooftop panels.