Plug-In Solar Is Legal in the UK From Tomorrow — And the First Certified Kits Are Already Here

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Tomorrow — 27 August 2026 — plug-in solar panels become legal to self-install in the UK for the first time. SI 2026/848 comes into force, and from that date any household in England, Wales or Scotland can plug a certified solar kit into a standard wall socket without an electrician, without planning permission, and without any professional sign-off.

But there's something more important than the legal date: the first certified kits are already on the ENA G98 Type Test Register. You don't have to wait for Lidl or Currys. You can buy a fully compliant kit right now.

Here's what's actually available, what it costs, and what to check before you spend anything.

The First Certified Kits — What's on the Register

The ENA G98 Type Test Register — the official list of compliant plug-in solar products — has been moving fast in the last two weeks. Here's what's confirmed compliant as of 26 August 2026:

Anker SOLIX Solarbank 4 Pro

The first product to receive a Compliant listing on the ENA register, confirmed on 3 August 2026. Anker is one of the largest consumer electronics brands in the world and has been building towards the UK plug-in solar market for some time. The Solarbank 4 Pro is a panel-plus-microinverter system certified to IPS v2. Pricing and retail availability are expected imminently — watch Anker's UK website directly.

UKSOL — Four Kits Certified

UK-based solar specialist UKSOL landed four Compliant listings in a single day on 19 August 2026, covering systems from 460W to 920W. According to Plug In Solar Explained, the certified range includes:

UKSOL Compact 460W — ground mount only
UKSOL Duo 890W — hybrid mount (wall or ground), already on sale
UKSOL Plus and UKSOL Max 920W — hybrid mount, available October 2026

The UKSOL Duo 890W — two panels and an 800W microinverter — is currently available from iHelios at £836.92 and City Plumbing at £965.65 (both including VAT). That's a significant price point, but it's a fully UK-certified kit with a compliant plug, IPS v2 certification, and ENA register listing — the complete package.

The hybrid mount option is worth noting: three of the four UKSOL kits can be mounted on either a wall or the ground, giving more flexibility than a balcony-rail-only system.

What About Lidl, B&Q and Currys?

None of the government's named retail partners have yet announced specific shelf dates or certified products. As Balcony Solar Guide UK notes, expect the first verified kits from major retailers in autumn 2026. The certification process is moving at pace — more brands are expected on the register in the coming weeks — and mainstream retail availability is now a matter of weeks rather than months.

What Makes a Kit Compliant — The Quick Checklist

With the market opening tomorrow, some sellers will make claims that aren't entirely accurate. Here's exactly what a compliant kit must have under SI 2026/848:

✅ Listed on the ENA G98 Type Test Register as Compliant — check at energynetworks.org before buying
✅ Built to DESNZ Interim Product Specification v2
✅ Factory-fitted BS 1363 moulded plug with a 5A fuse and partially insulated pins — not a European Schuko plug with an adapter
✅ Maximum 800W AC output from the microinverter (panels up to 2,000W are permitted)
✅ Anti-islanding protection — shuts off automatically if the grid goes down
✅ A compliance declaration and QR code on the label — scan it in the shop if you're unsure
✅ No battery storage — battery-integrated kits remain outside SI 2026/848 and still need an electrician
⚠️ One device per household — G98 still limits you to one 800W system regardless of how many circuits your home has

The single most reliable check: look up the product on the ENA Connect Direct Type Test Register before buying. If it's not listed as Compliant, it doesn't qualify for the self-install socket route — whatever the listing says.

What You Still Need to Do After Plugging In

Self-installation from tomorrow doesn't mean zero paperwork. You still need to submit a G98 notification to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) within 28 days of connecting. This is a simple online form — not an approval process — and most kit suppliers will include a QR code in the packaging that takes you straight to it. Find your DNO at energynetworks.org if you need to do it manually.

You also need to check your consumer unit first. If your fuse box has a Type AC RCD rather than Type A or Type B, it needs replacing before you connect a plug-in solar kit. If you're not sure which type you have, photograph the inside of your consumer unit and ask an electrician — it's a two-minute check that could save you a problem later.

What About EcoFlow and Jackery?

Neither EcoFlow nor Jackery has yet appeared on the ENA register with a compliant plug-in solar kit — their current UK products (the EcoFlow STREAM range and Jackery SolarSaga systems) are battery-integrated and remain outside SI 2026/848. They continue to require a hardwired connection by a CPS-registered electrician.

EcoFlow was the government's named technology partner in the March 2026 announcement, so a certified panel-only kit from them is widely expected — but no product or date has been announced. Watch the ENA register for their listing. In the meantime, both brands remain excellent options if you're happy to have an electrician make the connection.

The VAT Window — Don't Miss It

One timing point worth keeping in mind: 0% VAT on solar products is currently in place but expires in March 2027, reverting to 5%. A £836 UKSOL kit today costs approximately £878 after March 2027. That's not a massive difference, but it's a genuine financial reason to buy before the deadline if you're already planning to.

Before You Buy — The Most Important Step

Tomorrow's legal date is a genuinely significant moment. But the law doesn't change the physics of where you put your panel.

A south-facing, shade-free outdoor space will generate Excellent output. A north-facing balcony with a nearby tree will generate very little — from the same certified kit at the same price. The difference can mean saving £150 a year versus £40. Knowing which category your home falls into before spending £800+ takes 60 seconds.

SolarSnap is a free app that tells you in under 60 seconds whether your specific outdoor space is Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor for plug-in solar — based on your GPS location, compass direction, tilt angle, and real solar irradiance data for your area. There's an optional one-off upgrade for a full annual yield and savings estimate in pounds.

The Story So Far — Key Dates

✅ 15 April 2026 — BS 7671 Amendment 4 in force; wiring regulations updated
✅ 16 June 2026 — Major retail roundtable; B&Q, Currys, Amazon, Lidl confirmed as partners
✅ 22 July 2026 — Government consultation response published; PSSR amendment confirmed
✅ 3 August 2026 — Anker Solarbank 4 Pro becomes first product on ENA register as Compliant
✅ 19 August 2026 — UKSOL lands four Compliant listings; Duo 890W goes on sale
✅ 27 August 2026 — SI 2026/848 comes into force; self-install socket connection legal for certified kits
⏳ Autumn 2026 — Lidl, B&Q, Currys and Amazon expected to stock certified kits
⏳ March 2027 — 0% VAT on solar products expires

This article will be updated as more brands achieve ENA certification and retail availability is confirmed.

Sources

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