What Is a Plug & Play Solar Plant?
A simple breakdown of the EcoFlow STREAM plug & play solar plant — what each part does, how they connect together, and why it’s one of the easiest ways to add solar storage to your home.
Read more →Plug-In Solar,
Explained.
Plug-in solar is now legal in the UK. Your honest guide to balcony solar panels — what's allowed, what to buy, and what to expect.
What Is Plug-In Solar?
Small solar panels that plug into a standard 13A socket — no electrician, no roof installation. Legal in the UK from 15 April 2026 for systems up to 800W.
Read the Full Guide
15 April 2026
BS 7671 Amendment 4 — What's Changing
On 24 March 2026 the UK government officially cleared the way for plug-in solar to be sold in shops. The BS 7671 Amendment 4 wiring regulations come into effect on 15 April 2026, legalising sub-800W micro-generation through standard fused 13A 3-pin plugs — a more robust connection than the Schuko sockets used in EU systems. Here's what it means in practice:
- 800W limit. Plug-in systems are capped at 800W AC output to prevent household wiring from overheating.
- No electrician required. Systems meeting the new safety standards can be plugged into a standard wall socket — no professionally hard-wired connection needed.
- G98 "Connect and Notify". You (or the kit provider) must notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) under an updated G98 procedure within 28 days of installation.
- Retail availability. High-street shops and supermarkets are expected to begin selling certified UK plug-in kits in the months following the amendment.
How It Works
No electrician needed — but you do need to notify your DNO.
1
Choose Your Kit
Pick a certified system up to 800W. Kits start from around £300.
2
Set It Up
Plug the micro-inverter into a standard socket. No electrician needed.
3
Start Saving
Free solar covers your base load. Save £100–£250 a year.
Why Plug-In Solar?
Legally Recognised in the UK
Plug-in solar up to 800W is legal in the UK. Kits must carry CE or UKCA markings with anti-islanding protection.
No Electrician Required
True plug-and-play — no scaffolding, no drilling, no costly installation. Just plug into a standard 3-pin socket.
G98 — Simple DNO Notification
A simple form to your DNO within 28 days — not a permit, not planning permission.
Lower Energy Bills
Cover your base load with free solar. Save £100–£250 per year depending on usage and placement.
Renter-Friendly & Portable
For flat dwellers, renters, and small gardens. Non-permanent systems that move with you.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Each panel prevents roughly 300 kg of CO2 per year. Clean energy from your own balcony, garden, or roof.
Brands & Where to Buy
The main plug-in solar kit vendors available in the UK.
Guides & Info
Everything you need to know about plug-in solar in the UK.
Latest from the Blog
Guides, reviews, and tips to help you get the most from plug-in solar.
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What the UK media is saying about balcony and plug-in solar.