Plug in solar is here (well in a couple of weeks)

[JohnMo]

The UK government has officially legalised "plug-in" balcony solar panels, allowing renters and flat owners to generate their own green electricity. The legislation (SI 2026/848) takes effect on 27 August 2026, making the UK market look much more like Germany, where similar plug-and-play kits are highly popular.

 

Key Rules of the New Legislation Plug-and-Play Setup: You can mount the panels on a balcony rail, terrace, or patio and plug them straight into a standard 13A three-prong wall socket without professional electrical installation.

 

800W Output Cap: Systems are strictly capped at a maximum power output of 800W per household to ensure the safety of domestic wiring.Safety Certifications:

 

Only fully integrated, compliant kits meeting BS 7671 (Amendment 4) standards can be legally sold or used.

 

Location Exception: While the law allowing retailers to sell these kits applies UK-wide, the specific rules legalising direct socket-connection currently only cover Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), with Northern Ireland still awaiting an equivalent regulatory update.

 

What This Means for Renters and Flat Owners

No Installation Costs: Because the system uses a regular mains socket and doesn't require complex roof wiring, you avoid expensive professional installation fees.

 

Portability: If you move properties, you can simply unplug the panels, pack them down, and take them with you to your next home.

 

Immediate Bill Savings: The power generated feeds directly into your home circuit, meaning appliances use your free solar energy first before drawing paid power from the National Grid.

 

A Note on Tenant Agreements -  While the technology itself is now legally approved for standard electrical use, you may still need permission from your landlord, local council, or building's management company to physically mount equipment on exterior balconies, railings, or communal walls.

 

So 800W PV plug and play kit solutions only. Does not apply to batteries only PV.

[G and J]

Presumably they come with a remote clamp for the meter box?

[saveasteading]

36 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

takes effect on 27 August 2026,

That all seems sudden.

I know we discussed it on here a few months ago, but I've not seen anything in mainsream media.

So perhaps HMG follow BH for balanced and knowledgable advice.

[-rick-]

43 minutes ago, G and J said:

Presumably they come with a remote clamp for the meter box?

 

Nope. Just plug in and go AFAIK. It's all based on 800W being low enough and the safety systems within the system strong enough that no additional steps are necessary.

[JohnMo]

2 hours ago, G and J said:

Presumably they come with a remote clamp for the meter box?

Straight in to nearest plug socket - done.

 

But only 800W max, most the time it will be a quarter of that. All without MCS, so nothing is paid for any exports.

[JohnMo]

2 hours ago, saveasteading said:

That all seems sudden.

Shows decisions can be made and quickly 

[Oz07]

How big is an 800w kit? Presumably you can only have 1 kit per house or per ring main or whatever? I am thinking of a pergola with solar on top in summer and put away for the winter to let more light in

[-rick-]

Solar panels are 21-24% efficient depending on model. Sun outputs 1000w/m2. So you can work it out.

 

2x1m panel is generally around 400-450w. There are a number of 'portable' solutions that use less efficient panels so you could have more of those but they are more expensive and less durable (as a tradeoff for weight/portability).

[JohnMo]

38 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

How big is an 800w kit

A typical 400W panel is around 1134 x 1722mm, so that X2. 

[Oz07]

[G and J]

I’d have assumed even a couple of amps pushed the wrong way through old and/or one way RCBOs/RCD would have given them a problem.

 

Nicely inclusive though.  I can imagine the real payback being in change of attitude from apathy/impotence to yes, we can do a bit.

[-rick-]

6 minutes ago, G and J said:

I’d have assumed even a couple of amps pushed the wrong way through old and/or one way RCBOs/RCD would have given them a problem.

 

The electrical industry raised some concerns about this but turns out it isn't a bit deal. The devices work two way they just aren't tested/certified for it. Exception might be if the mains power is down and the panel is feeding power to the grid (but that can't happen due to the mandatory safety checks built in).

[G and J]

3 minutes ago, -rick- said:

 

The electrical industry raised some concerns about this but turns out it isn't a bit deal. The devices work two way they just aren't tested/certified for it. Exception might be if the mains power is down and the panel is feeding power to the grid (but that can't happen due to the mandatory safety checks built in).

Fab.  

[JohnMo]

8 hours ago, G and J said:

’d have assumed even a couple of amps pushed the wrong way through old and/or one way RCBOs/RCD

How many homes have 2 way RCBOs/RCDS with solar currently - suspect not many. Does yours?

[saveasteading]

I liked someone's advice in a prev discussion.

Buy a German or German approved one. The quality will be good and safety thought through.

 

[G and J]

8 hours ago, JohnMo said:

How many homes have 2 way RCBOs/RCDS with solar currently - suspect not many. Does yours?

I naively assumed (isn’t that just so dangerous) that anyone exporting would have bi-directional doberries.  
 

The dude who fitted our solar PV/inverter/battery was most precise about what we needed where so I was all ready to go through it with our sparky who before I opened my mouth told me exactly the same thing,   It made me think that everyone else knew all that and I was the only dunce lol.

 

 

[JohnMo]

Just did a Google search 

Bi-directional RCBOs became officially mandated for domestic installations with generating sources on July 31, 2024, following the introduction of BS 7671:2018+A3:2024 (Amendment 3). Manufacturers began releasing compliant domestic hardware around early-to-mid 2024.

 

So lots and lots of installs done prior to that date, so doubt they were retrofitted.

 

Our install was done in 2021 way before bi directional were available.

[Gone West]

1 hour ago, JohnMo said:

Our install was done in 2021 way before bi directional were available.

Our installation was done in 2012 and the RCD certainly isn't bi-directional.

[JohnMo]

4 minutes ago, Gone West said:

Our installation was done in 2012 and the RCD certainly isn't bi-directional.

You and around another 1.5 million registered installs completed prior to 2024

[Gone West]

1 minute ago, JohnMo said:

You and around another 1.5 million registered installs completed prior to 2024

So for pre 2024 installations is it just a 'nice to have' retrofit?