Plug-In Solar Is Legal Today, But Check the Register Before You Buy
Plug-in solar became legal in England, Wales and Scotland today, 27 August, under SI 2026/848. That’s the headline most coverage has run with. What it skips over is that “legal to sell” and “actually compliant” aren’t the same thing yet, and right now, most of what’s being marketed as plug-in solar isn’t the second one.
The register is what actually decides legality, not the packaging
A plug-in solar kit is only lawful to connect if the exact product, the specific model, is listed as Compliant on the ENA’s G98 Type Test Register. Not the brand. Not the category. The individual SKU.
As of today, that register shows seven compliant listings, and every one of them is from the same company: UKSOL, a British panel maker based in Buckinghamshire with an assembly line in Sheffield. Only two of those seven kits are actually available to buy right now. The rest are listed as compliant but not yet on sale.
Anker’s Solarbank 4 Pro was the kit most of the coverage this month was built around, reported early on as the first product to reach compliant status. It lost that status a day after it was listed, flipped back to non-compliant, and was still showing that way on the register this morning, even as Anker pushes ahead with a UK launch today. Whether that gets sorted out this week or drags on, it’s a live example of why checking the register yourself matters more than trusting a product page.
Retailers stocking it doesn’t mean the stock is compliant
Amazon, Currys, Argos, Screwfix and Wickes have all said they’ll carry plug-in solar. That’s a real shift, and it’s worth knowing about if you’re weighing this up. But “we’re stocking this” is a retail decision, and “this specific unit is on the ENA register as Compliant” is a legal one, and the two aren’t tied together automatically. A kit can sit on a shelf and still fail the test.
Before you buy anything, look the model up yourself. It takes two minutes and it’s the only way to know whether what you’re about to plug in is the thing the law actually covers.
What compliant actually means once you’ve found it
The rules themselves haven’t changed since they were confirmed back in July: an 800W cap at the inverter, panels rated up to 2,000W DC feeding into it, no battery storage built in, and a requirement to notify your network operator within 28 days under G98. We covered the full rundown, including who it suits and where it falls short of a rooftop system, in our plug-in solar rules guide.
The government’s own estimate puts the saving at up to £110 a year, though that assumes you’re actually home to use the power it generates during daylight. A kit running all day while you’re at work earns a lot less than the headline figure suggests.
If you want more than a plug-in kit can offer
Plug-in solar is capped by design. No SEG eligibility, no battery, and an output that’s a fraction of a proper rooftop array. If you own your roof, a full solar installation still generates more and actually qualifies for export payments. Get matched with vetted installers if that’s the better fit for your home.
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Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in the UK now?
Yes, from 27 August 2026, in England, Wales and Scotland, under SI 2026/848. Northern Ireland isn't covered by this change.
How do I know if a plug-in solar kit is actually compliant?
Check the exact product and model against the ENA G98 Type Test Register. A listing that says Compliant can still be pulled later, and a kit can be on sale in a shop without being on the register at all, so check it yourself rather than relying on the packaging or the product page.
Which plug-in solar kits are compliant as of today?
Only UKSOL, a British manufacturer, has compliant listings so far, seven in total, and only two of those are currently available to buy. Other brands, including Anker, have had listings added and then withdrawn.