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Recent changes to solar panel and plug-in solar rules
A dated log of rule changes we have confirmed from official sources, newest first. The affected answers in the solar FAQs are updated to match.
Reviewed · fast-moving answers are re-checked against the official pages listed every week
Changes
Northern Ireland still not permitted
The Energy Saving Trust's checklist, updated 2 September 2026, says plug-in solar panels are not currently permitted for use in Northern Ireland and may follow once regulations are updated.
Source: Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels, checks to make before you buy
Plug-in solar becomes legal in England, Wales and Scotland
The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/848) came into force. Compliant devices up to 800 VA can now be sold and plugged into a standard socket.
Source: GOV.UK: Households can save as plug-in solar panels come to market
England's permitted development right for solar updated
The right now covers plug-in solar, with separate limits for houses and blocks of flats and a ban on fixing plug-in solar to timber walls, balconies and enclosures. A 12-month transition runs to 27 August 2027.
Source: Planning Portal (England): solar equipment mounted on a house, block of flats or building
Ofgem approves the network-code change for plug-in solar
Ofgem approved the distribution code amendment (DCRP/MP/26/02) that allows plug-in solar devices meeting the government's specification to connect with a plug.
Source: Ofgem: decision to approve DCRP/MP/26/02, amendment to facilitate plug-in microgeneration (PDF)
Regulations made and final product specification published
SI 2026/848 was made on 16 July 2026, and the final Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification (version 2.0, July 2026) replaced the withdrawn draft.
Source: GOV.UK / DESNZ: Plug-in solar: regulatory amendment and interim product specification
Coming up
0% VAT on installed solar is scheduled to end
The zero rate for installing energy-saving materials in homes is due to revert to 5% on 1 April 2027 unless the government extends it.
England's permitted development transition ends
Until then you can follow either the old or the new permitted development rules for solar equipment.
The one-device-per-household limit could change
The product specification allows one device per final circuit, but the network code currently limits it to one per household until it is amended.
Ireland's plug-in solar rules may change
A working group chaired by ESB Networks was due to report to the Irish Energy Minister in September 2026 on a simplified route for plug-in solar. We will update the Ireland answers once official guidance is published.
See how we check. If you spot something we have missed, email hello@bewiseapps.com.
Reviewed 2026-09-21. General information, not legal, electrical or financial advice.