UK Plug-In Solar Statistics & Market Data (2026)
Independently researched. Updated weekly. Cite freely with attribution.
Last updated:
Journalists: hello@ukpluginsolar.co.uk for data requests
Key numbers
£76–98
Modelled annual saving (800W, 50% self-use)
£400–600
Average kit cost
4–7 yrs
Modelled payback period
~36%
UK households renting (10.1m)
26.11p
Electricity price /kWh (Ofgem Jul–Sep 2026)
1.15m+
German plug-in solar installs (end 2025)
Regulatory status tracker
Live tracker of the rules opening up the UK plug-in solar market. Selling kits with a 13A plug remains illegal until the PSSR amendment lands — see our consultation explainer.
| Regulation | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Government announcement (intent to legalise) | Complete | 24 March 2026 |
| BS 7671 Amendment 4 (wiring regulations) | Complete | 15 April 2026 |
| PSSR amendment + interim spec (legal to sell) | In progress | Consultation closed 30 June 2026 |
| BSI product standard | Expected | Mid-July 2026 |
| ESQCR amendment | In progress | Separate process, TBC |
| G98 streamlining | In progress | TBC |
| 0% VAT on solar | Active | Expires March 2027 |
UK market timeline
24 March 2026
Government announces its intention to legalise plug-in solar.
15 April 2026
BS 7671 Amendment 4 takes effect.
30 April 2026
Government says "kits in shops within a month" — later superseded by the June consultation.
16 June 2026
DESNZ publishes formal consultation on the PSSR amendment and interim product specification.
30 June 2026
Consultation closes after its 14-day window.
Mid-July 2026 (est.)
BSI product standard published.
July 2026 (est.)
DESNZ expected to publish a summary of consultation responses.
Late summer–autumn 2026 (est.)
PSSR amendment + interim spec finalised — first compliant kits legally on sale.
15 October 2026
BS 7671 transition period ends — mandatory compliance.
March 2027
0% VAT on solar expires — reverts to the 5% reduced rate.
UK solar generation by region
Modelled annual yield and bill saving for an 800W plug-in system.
| Region | Annual kWh (800W) | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|
| South Coast | 748 | £98 |
| London / South East | 714 | £93 |
| South West England | 734 | £96 |
| East Anglia | 693 | £90 |
| Midlands | 666 | £87 |
| Wales | 653 | £85 |
| North England | 639 | £83 |
| North East England | 619 | £81 |
| Scotland (South) | 612 | £80 |
| Scotland (North) | 585 | £76 |
| Northern Ireland | 646 | £84 |
Source: PVGIS data, 800W system, 30° south-facing, 0.85 system loss, 50% self-consumption, 26.11p/kWh.
Germany vs UK comparison
Established market
Germany (2025)
- Cumulative installs
- 1.15m+
- 2025 installs
- 435,000+
- Legalised
- 2023 (600W), 2024 (800W)
- Avg kit price
- €199–499
- Electricity price
- ~€0.35/kWh
Opening market
UK (2026)
- Cumulative installs
- TBC (market opening)
- 2025 installs
- N/A
- Legalised
- In progress (sales expected late 2026)
- Avg kit price
- £300–950 (est.)
- Electricity price
- £0.261/kWh
Source: Bundesnetzagentur (German federal network agency); Ofgem; UK Plug In Solar analysis.
UK energy context
- Average UK household consumption2,700 kWh/year
- % covered by 800W plug-in22–33%
- UK grid carbon intensity233g CO₂/kWh
- CO₂ saved per 800W kit70–100 kg/year
- UK renewable electricity share (2025)~50%
Sources: Ofgem TDCV; National Grid ESO carbon intensity API; DESNZ Energy Trends 2025.
UK housing stock
- Total UK households~28 million
- Owner-occupied~64% (17.9m)
- Rented~36% (10.1m)
- Flats / apartments~22%
- Homes with usable south-facing outdoor spaceest. 60–70%
Sources: ONS; English Housing Survey 2024.
UK retail landscape
Confirmed and expected retail partners for the opening UK market.
| Retailer | Status | Expected price |
|---|---|---|
| Lidl | Confirmed partner | £299–449 (est.) |
| Amazon | Confirmed partner | £300–600 |
| EcoFlow | Confirmed partner | £499–949 |
| Aldi | Expected | TBC |
| Currys | Expected | TBC |
| B&Q / Screwfix | Expected | TBC |
Sources & methodology
Savings calculation methodology
Annual generation modelled from PVGIS regional irradiance for an 800W system, 30° tilt, south-facing, with a 0.85 system loss factor (cabling, microinverter efficiency, soiling). We assume 50% self-consumption (the rest exported uncompensated unless on an export tariff) and the Ofgem July–September 2026 electricity price cap of 26.11p/kWh. Saving = generation × self-consumption × price.
All sources
- Ofgem — July–September 2026 default tariff cap (26.11p/kWh)
- DESNZ — plug-in solar consultation, 16–30 June 2026 (see our explainer)
- PVGIS — European Commission solar radiation data
- Bundesnetzagentur — German plug-in solar (Steckersolar) registry
- BSI — British Standards Institution
- BS 7671 Amendment 4 — IET Wiring Regulations
- ONS — UK households and population statistics
- English Housing Survey 2024
- National Grid ESO — carbon intensity
- DESNZ — Energy Trends 2025
- HMRC — 0% VAT on energy-saving materials (until March 2027)
All data points are dated. If you're a journalist and need additional data, email hello@ukpluginsolar.co.uk.
Cite this page
UK Plug In Solar — UK Plug-In Solar Statistics, ukpluginsolar.co.uk/statistics, accessed 7 July 2026.
UK Plug In Solar (2026). UK Plug-In Solar Statistics & Market Data. Retrieved from https://ukpluginsolar.co.uk/statistics
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