From 27 August 2026 the Government legalised the sale of plug-in solar panels. 

Plug-in solar panels, also known as balcony solar or “plug and play” systems can be connected directly into a standard domestic socket, allowing residents to generate their own electricity without a traditional rooftop installation.

Our insurer partner Zurich has outlined four key areas it believes landlords and building owners should address to ensure both fire safety and insurance compliance when residents wish to install plug-in systems.

1. Are the products compliant and suitable?

Zurich experts stress that only UK-compliant products should be used that are bought from reputable retailers to ensure compliance against official guidance.

• ENA Connect Direct compliant products register

The Energy Saving Trust website provides valuable safety information about plug-in solar which needs to be communicated to all those involved in managing properties and those within your organisation who deal with referrals from tenants:

• Plug-in solar panels: Checks to make before you buy – Energy Saving Trust

Only one plug-in solar system per property is permitted and the power output must be limited to 800w.

Please specifically note that Battery Storage is not yet allowed under UK regulations and must not be used.

2. Is the electrical installation suitable?

Landlords, private and social, should confirm that there is an up to date i.e. within the last 5 years, fixed electrical wiring report in place (EICR condition report).

Where leaseholders are responsible for internal wiring, Zurich recommends an Electrical Inspection & Condition Report (EICR) is completed unless there is already one in place (within the last 10 years) before any plug-in panel is connected.

Connections must be made safely. Only weatherproof outdoor sockets with an IP 65 rating should be used. Extension cables must not be used. Cables should never be run through windows or under doors, where they can be pinched or damaged, creating a potential fire hazard.

Tenants need to be reminded that it is a legal requirement to register the plug-in solar panel via this website:

• UK Plug-in Solar Registration

3. Is the building construction appropriate?

Zurich considers that plug-in solar panels may be suitable for low-rise properties but are not automatically considered acceptable for medium to high rise buildings because of the more complex risk of external fire spread.

Even on buildings of four storeys or less, Zurich advises against installing plug-in solar panels on stacked timber balconies or where they are adjacent to combustible cladding such as timber, high pressure laminate and render systems with expanded polystyrene. For buildings where a Fire Risk Assessment for External Walls (FRAEW) is required, some of these combustible wall elements may have been deemed a ‘tolerable risk’ but Zurich argues that adding an ignition source significantly changes the risk profile and any systems present should be reflected in an updated Fire Risk Assessment for it to be considered valid.

4. What maintenance will residents need to carry out?

Residents should be encouraged to carry out basic maintenance. Solar panels should be cleaned with water and a soft brush if they show signs of dirt or bird droppings. If there are any visible issues or a significant drop in the power output then tenants need to contact a qualified electrician to inspect the plug-in solar panel and associated equipment. Longer term, the inverters, which convert the DC electricity generated by the panels into usable AC power, typically need replacing every eight to ten years.

As plug-in solar becomes more widely available, we will continue to monitor developments and provide guidance to help our clients.