The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has confirmed that plug-in solar panels will be available in UK shops within months. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband named EcoFlow, Lidl, Iceland and Amazon as confirmed retail partners. This is not a consultation or a proposal. It's a confirmation.
The government will work with the Energy Networks Association, DNOs and Ofgem to update the G98 distribution code and BS 7671 wiring regulations — matching the regulatory environment that has allowed 1.15 million German homes to install balcony solar systems since 2023. The UK is not doing anything unprecedented here. It is catching up.
What the announcement means in practice
Two regulatory steps remain between this announcement and certified plug-in solar kits appearing in Lidl: BS 7671 Amendment 4 (published April 2026) and the BSI product standard (expected July 2026). The latter is what allows manufacturers to sell compliant kits in UK retail — and is the more significant of the two barriers.
Octopus Energy's Greg Jackson cited a 50% surge in solar interest since the Iran conflict began — suggesting demand is already well ahead of supply. See how the Iran war changed the energy calculus for UK households.
Which products will be available and when
The EcoFlow STREAM 800W is the flagship kit for the UK rollout — already UKCA certified at £499. The Anker SOLIX RS40P is the budget alternative at £419–£449. Lidl's offering is expected in the £350–£400 range with fewer features but a lower entry cost. For a full comparison, see our best plug-in solar kits guide. The kits will all generate meaningful electricity savings from a standard south-facing install. The differences are in experience, support, and expandability — not in whether solar works in the UK. It does.
