The UK Government is moving rapidly to legalise plug-in solar panels for domestic consumers. A recent Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) consultation proposes regulatory changes that would allow compliant plug-in solar products to be connected directly to standard domestic sockets.
Unlike traditional rooftop solar systems, these products are intended to be low-cost, consumer-installed devices available through mainstream retailers. While the policy is aimed at expanding access to renewable energy and reducing household energy costs, it also raises important questions around electrical safety, fire risk, product compliance and claims exposure.
Traditional domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are typically installed by specialist contractors and connected to a property’s fixed electrical installation. As a result, they benefit from professional design, installation and commissioning oversight.
By contrast, plug-in solar systems are portable products that consumers can install themselves and connect directly to a standard mains socket. Although common in parts of Europe, particularly Germany, they have not previously been lawful in the UK because existing electrical safety and plug standards do not accommodate electricity-generating equipment being connected in this way.
DESNZ proposes to amend the regulatory framework to permit compliant plug-in solar products to be connected via standard UK plugs and sockets. A new interim product specification would apply, covering areas such as electrical design, mounting arrangements, fire protection, testing and labelling. The Government’s intention is to create a route to market for these products within months while longer-term standards are developed.
The key change is not the solar technology itself but the move from professional installation to consumer self-installation.
Traditional solar systems are generally installed by qualified contractors. Plug-in solar products are specifically designed to be purchased, positioned and connected by homeowners or tenants. That transfer of responsibility has the potential to create a significantly different risk profile from a property and fire perspective.
Fire incidents involving solar panels remain relatively uncommon but have increased as deployment has grown. Government statistics show 36 dwelling fires involving solar panels in 2024, compared with 22 in 2020.
Government-commissioned testing has also found that PV panel installations can increase flame spread across roof structures, with cavities behind panels potentially facilitating fire spread even where the panels themselves contribute little combustible material.
DESNZ's position is that plug-in solar can be used safely if minimum standards are met. However, practical risks remain where consumers:
The challenge is less about the technology itself and more about ensuring installations remain safe and compliant when responsibility rests with consumers rather than trained installers.
Risk will vary significantly depending on the property involved. Older electrical installations, inadequate protective devices, high-rise buildings, blocks of flats and balcony-mounted systems may all present additional considerations. A product that is safe in one setting may not present the same risk profile in another.
The proposed framework relies heavily on manufacturer compliance and product certification. As with many consumer electrical products, concerns may arise where equipment is purchased through online marketplaces, imported directly from overseas suppliers or modified after purchase.
This issue is particularly relevant given the Government’s wider proposals to modernise the UK product safety framework and strengthen market surveillance and enforcement. The effectiveness of those reforms may prove important in ensuring that non-compliant products do not enter the market.
A notable issue raised during the consultation is that battery storage systems are expressly outside its scope. However, some retailers are already marketing packages that combine plug-in solar panels with battery storage.
From an insurance perspective, this distinction is important. Lithium-ion batteries present separate fire risks, including thermal runaway and re-ignition concerns, which are not addressed by the current proposals.
There is a potential risk that consumers may assume all ‘plug-in solar’ products have been approved under the new framework when certain battery-equipped systems may fall outside it. This is an area insurers should monitor closely as the market develops.
The consultation closed on 30 June 2026 following an unusually short consultation period. DESNZ is expected to publish its response later this month and has made clear its intention to move quickly towards implementation.
The policy direction is clear: the Government wishes to accelerate deployment of plug-in solar as part of its wider clean energy and energy affordability agenda.
This is a significant regulatory shift. The principal issue for insurers is not the emergence of a new technology but the prospect of widespread self-installation of electricity-generating equipment in domestic properties.
The success of the regime will therefore depend not only on product standards but also on how products are installed, maintained and used in practice. Insurers should pay particular attention to DIY installation risks, the suitability of existing electrical systems, product compliance and the developing position regarding battery-equipped products, which currently sit outside the consultation but are already appearing in the retail market.
For more information please contact:
Natalie Larnder – Partner & Head of Market Affairs
Matthew Rogers - Partner & Head of Property Risks & Coverage
Heather Ford – Partner
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