Almost seven million UK households want to install plug-in solar panels as rules governing the technology are relaxed, according to new research from comparison and switching service Uswitch.
The research suggests 26% of households are interested in plug-in solar, which can now be connected to a standard wall socket to generate electricity in spaces such as balconies and gardens.
The rule change is making DIY plug-in solar systems more widely available, with retailers such as Argos currently offering a range of panels beginning at £599.
Research commissioned by Uswitch found that 18% of people are currently held back from installing solar because they would need permission from their landlord.
The research took place in early May 2026, among 2,000 UK energy bill-payers, weighted to be nationally representative.
Interest was found to vary widely by age. Almost one in three Gen Z adults (30%) said they were excited about plug-in solar, compared with 2% of Boomers. London recorded the highest level of interest among the locations surveyed, with 35% of residents saying they wanted to install plug-in panels.
In the traditionally Green heartland of Brighton, only 17% expressed an interest.
The arrival of plug-in has not impacted interest in traditional rooftop solar, which is also on the rise. Almost 1.7 million UK households have already installed rooftop solar, with around 19,000 systems being added each month. More than 2.5 million households, or around one in 10, say they plan to install roof-mounted solar within five years.
Rising energy costs appear to be influencing decisions. Two-fifths of households (40%) said fluctuating energy prices had made them more likely to invest in solar technology.
However, upfront costs remain a significant barrier. Around 35% of households are put off installing rooftop solar because of the initial expense, with consumers estimating a typical installation costs almost £9,000.
Alvaro Iturmendi, a solar expert from Uswitch, said: ‘You don’t need to own a roof to start generating your own electricity anymore. From the end of August, renters and flat-dwellers who’ve never had a solar option can plug a panel into a wall socket and start cutting their bills straight away.
‘Plug-in panels won’t replace a full rooftop system if you want to maximise savings, but they’re a genuine first step for the millions of households who’ve been locked out of solar altogether.
‘Some households are put off installing solar because they don’t know where to find a trustworthy installer or a reliable quote, so we’ve created a straightforward way to compare trusted installers.
‘A solar panel system can cut your electricity bills. And with the Smart Export Guarantee, you can get paid for any surplus energy your panels send back to the grid.
‘Through comparing quotes at Uswitch, our customers have been offered average savings of around £964 a year with solar – putting money back in their pocket every month and future-proofing their home against rising energy prices.’
Photo: Newpowa
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