LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – UK solar capacity reached 22.8 gigawatts at the end of June 2026, extending a record period for installations. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero counted about 2.076 million systems across the country. Developers, businesses and households added 27,391 installations during the month. Those projects supplied 132 megawatts of new capacity. Officials classify the figures as provisional because late project records can change monthly totals.
June delivered the second-highest monthly installation count in the national data series. March 2026 remains the leading month, with 28,782 systems added. UK solar capacity rose by 2.2 gigawatts during the 12 months through June. That represented annual growth of 10.9%. The country also installed about 269,000 systems in 2025, the highest annual total recorded. Smaller rooftop arrays led installation numbers, while larger projects contributed more generating capacity per site.
New plug-in solar rules will take effect on August 27, 2026. The changes create a legal route for approved microgenerators using a standard UK plug and household socket. Qualifying products may deliver up to 800 watts of alternating current output. Each unit must meet Interim Product Specification version 2. The framework excludes plug-in batteries and equipment that stores electricity drawn from domestic circuits. It also requires systems to operate safely with local distribution networks.
Safety framework sets connection rules
The legal package updates rules covering plugs, sockets and electricity safety. UK Parliament received the statutory instrument on July 17, one day after ministers approved it. The measure creates a narrow exception for qualifying generation equipment connected through standard household plugs. A notified body must verify compliance with relevant BS 1363 requirements. Product approval provisions apply across the UK. The electricity safety amendment covers England, Wales and Scotland.
The interim standard sets detailed requirements for wiring, mounting, fire protection, labels and consumer instructions. A technical study tested representative plug-in solar products on domestic electrical systems. The tests found stable operation under controlled conditions. Researchers recorded no sustained unsafe energisation or unacceptable heat effects. They also identified differences in export controls, electromagnetic compatibility and general product quality. Those findings shaped the safety requirements for products entering the market under the new framework.
Consultation supports controlled market entry
A public consultation drew 466 responses from businesses, technical specialists, regulators and members of the public. More than 85% supported the interim product specification. Most respondents also backed the proposed plug amendment. Participants raised concerns about older household wiring and products sold without proper approval. They also requested clearer guidance on the difference between plug-in solar panels and plug-in batteries. The final framework keeps storage products outside the approved connection route.
Retailers have prepared for the new product category ahead of the August start date. The format covers small solar kits for balconies, gardens and other suitable outdoor areas. It may suit homes that cannot install conventional rooftop panels. Systems using the new route cannot operate legally before August 27. From that date, only approved products within the 800-watt limit may connect through a standard household socket. The June capacity total does not include installations using this framework.