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Plug-in (balcony) solar explained

Plug-in solar (also called balcony solar) is a small solar kit that connects to a normal wall socket. Panels make direct current, a small inverter turns it into household electricity, and it feeds your home wiring. Anything your home is not using at that moment can flow out to the grid.

Rules are changing quickly. This page reflects what we could confirm on 21 September 2026. Check GOV.UK, your network operator and a qualified installer before you buy or connect anything. General information, not legal or electrical advice.

How the 800W limit works

The limit applies to the inverter's AC output, not the panels. In Great Britain the rules cap a kit at 800 VA (about 800 W) of output, and the government specification allows up to 2,000 W of panels behind that inverter. Germany uses the same 800 W AC cap. Panels rated above the cap simply let the inverter reach its limit more often on cloudy days.

What makes a kit legal in Great Britain

It must meet the government's Plug-in Solar Device product specification, and appear on the Energy Networks Association (ENA) register of compliant devices. A listing that only says "800W", "UK plug" or "G98 compatible" is not enough.
It connects directly to a suitable socket. Extension leads and adaptors are not allowed.
You register the device on the UK Plug-In Solar Registration website, which the Energy Saving Trust describes as a legal requirement, and notify your network operator, generally within 28 days of connecting. The specification also requires notification if you disconnect.
Battery-integrated kits fall outside the plug-in route. Storage needs a professional installation.
Only one plug-in device per household is currently allowed under the grid code.
Kits sold before the rules and many cheap imports may not comply, so check the register before buying.

Is your home suitable?

The wiring and consumer unit matter. The Energy Saving Trust says not to install plug-in solar if your consumer unit has older rewireable fuses, and advises speaking to a qualified electrician if you are unsure about your wiring, need a new socket or your panels total more than 960 W. Mounting must also be safe for wind and weather, and balcony fixings often need a landlord's or freeholder's consent.

What will you save?

Savings depend on how much you use in the daytime. Plug-in kits generally earn no export payments, so any saving comes from using the power yourself. Treat headline figures with caution and compare several sources.

See the England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Germany pages for country details.

Frequently asked questions

What is plug-in solar?

It is a small solar kit with panels and a microinverter that plugs into a normal household socket and feeds the electricity into your home wiring.

What is the 800W limit?

It is a cap on the inverter's AC output. In Great Britain and Germany a plug-in kit is limited to about 800 W of output, regardless of how many watts of panels sit behind it.

Can I use an extension lead with plug-in solar?

No. In Great Britain, the kit must plug directly into a suitable socket, and extension leads and adaptors are not allowed.

Can a plug-in solar kit include a battery?

Not under the plug-in route in Great Britain. Battery storage needs a professional installation notified to the network operator.

Official sources

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Reviewed 2026-09-21. General information, not legal, electrical or financial advice. Confirm current rules before you buy or connect anything.