Is plug-in solar legal in the UK now (June 2026)?

Not yet. On 16 June 2026 the government (DESNZ) formally proposed legalisation and opened a public consultation that closes on 30 June 2026 at 23:59, with a summary of responses expected around 22 July 2026. Legalisation is at the consultation stage — the law is expected after, not in force today.

What has DESNZ actually proposed?

The proposed legal route is an amendment to the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994 (PSSR), supported by the DESNZ Interim Product Specification v1.0 (June 2026). The interim specification is temporary, intended to bridge the gap until an enduring (BSI) standard is in place — it is not a standalone BSI product standard.

What device limits are proposed?

Single phase ≤253V AC / 50Hz; maximum apparent power ≤800VA; maximum current ≤3.5A; PV DC ≤2000W; one device per household; no batteries; a BS 1363 plug with a 5A fuse and partially insulated pins. The approach is based on the German balcony-solar model.

When could plug-in solar become legal in the UK?

The consultation closes on 30 June 2026, with a summary of responses expected around 22 July 2026. Legalisation through the PSSR amendment and DESNZ interim specification would follow after that — the exact date depends on the consultation outcome and the legislative process, so plug-in solar is not legal yet.

DESNZ opens consultation to legalise plug-in solar (June 2026)

Consultation stage — not yet legal DESNZ / PSSR Published: 22 June 2026

Last verified: 22 June 2026

Quick answer: Plug-in (balcony) solar is not legal yet in the UK. On 16 June 2026 the government (DESNZ) formally proposed legalisation and opened a public consultation that closes on 30 June 2026, 23:59, with a summary of responses expected around 22 July 2026. The government has formally proposed legalisation — consultation open to 30 June, law expected after. This is a transition: a proposal under consultation, not a rule you can rely on today.

What changed on 16 June 2026

On 16 June 2026 the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) opened a public consultation on legalising plug-in (balcony) solar in the UK. It was accompanied by a written statement to Parliament (HCWS118, 16 June 2026) and a published interim product specification.

This is the first time the UK government has set out a concrete legal route specifically for plug-in solar. But it is a proposal at the consultation stage — nothing in it makes plug-in solar legal on 16 June. The consultation closes on 30 June 2026 at 23:59, and DESNZ expects to publish a summary of responses around 22 July 2026. Any change in the law would come after that.

What’s proposed

The proposed legal route is:

An amendment to the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994 (PSSR) — the existing product-safety law that currently stands in the way.
Supported by the DESNZ Interim Product Specification v1.0 (June 2026) — a temporary specification intended to bridge the gap until an enduring (BSI) standard is in place.

Importantly, this is not a standalone “BSI product standard”. It is a PSSR amendment plus a DESNZ interim specification, with the enduring BSI standard to follow later. The overall approach is based on the German balcony-solar model.

Proposed device limits

Under the consultation, a compliant plug-in solar device would have to meet all of:

Single phase, ≤253V AC / 50Hz.
Maximum apparent power ≤800VA.
Maximum current ≤3.5A.
PV DC ≤2000W.
One device per household.
No batteries.
BS 1363 plug with a 5A fuse and partially insulated pins.

These limits are as set out in the consultation and DESNZ Interim Product Specification v1.0 (June 2026). They are proposed, not final, and may change in the consultation response.

What it means for you now

Plug-in solar is still at the consultation stage, so the practical position has not changed yet:

It is not legal to rely on a true plug-and-play DIY plug-in kit yet. The government has proposed legalisation, but the law is expected after the consultation, not today.
If you want to install now, the cleanest compliant route remains an 800W hardwired install by a CPS-registered electrician with a free G98 notification — see our UK legal guide for the full picture.
If you want to wait, the consultation closes 30 June 2026 and a response summary is expected around 22 July 2026, which should clarify the timeline.
Choosing kit? Our best UK balcony solar kits 2026 and our guide on whether you can plug into a normal socket both explain what to look for during the transition.

Sources

GOV.UK — “Plug-in solar: Regulatory amendment and interim product specification” (16 June 2026).
DESNZ — Interim Product Specification v1.0 (June 2026).
UK Parliament — written statement HCWS118 (16 June 2026).

If you spot a fact on this page that has shifted, let us know — we update.

Last verified 22 June 2026. Status: DESNZ consultation open (16–30 June 2026); legalisation proposed via a PSSR amendment + DESNZ interim product specification, not yet in force. Informational, not legal or electrical advice. Confirm current rules with your DNO and a qualified electrician before installing equipment.