Why doesn’t the GB law cover Northern Ireland?
The law that legalised plug-in solar in Great Britain, SI 2026/848, has two parts with different reach (reg 1):
| Part | What it does | Extends to NI? |
|---|---|---|
| Reg 2: Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 | Lets a plug for a plug-in microgenerator be approved | Yes |
| Reg 3: Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 | Lets a plug-in microgenerator be installed and used if it meets the product specification | No. England and Wales and Scotland only |
The second part is what lets you use a kit. Without it, NI’s own rules still apply.
The DESNZ Impact Assessment says so directly: “in practice plug-in solar would only be legally permitted for use in Northern Ireland if the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 are also reformed, and this is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.”
The Explanatory Memorandum adds that NI “operates under a distinct electricity regulatory framework”. It lists NI in the SI’s territorial application, but that’s only true of the plug-approval part. The DESNZ press release calls plug-in solar legal “across Great Britain”, which doesn’t include NI.
Are the network rules different in NI?
Yes. In GB, plug-in kits connect under G98 (see G98 explained). The Interim Product Specification notes: “Engineering Recommendation G98 applies to Great Britain only. In Northern Ireland, connection requirements are set out separately by Engineering Recommendation G98/NI. Application of this specification to Northern Ireland is subject to further consideration”.
So in NI there is currently:
- no amended electricity safety regulation allowing plug-in use;
- no plug-in section in G98/NI that we’ve been able to find;
- no confirmation that the GB product specification applies.
A G98/NI test record doesn't make a kit legal in NI
On 29 September 2026, one entry in the ENA Type Test Register’s Plug-in Solar category was marked as type tested for G98/NI. That’s a manufacturer’s test record. It doesn’t change the law on using the kit in NI.
“Just notify NIE Networks”: is that right?
Some websites say NI households can use plug-in solar if they notify NIE Networks within a set number of days under G98/NI. We haven’t been able to confirm this from any primary source, and it conflicts with the DESNZ position above. Until the NI regulations change, we treat plug-in solar as not legal to use in NI.
What we checked, and couldn't find
- Legislation. We searched every 2026 Northern Ireland Statutory Rule on legislation.gov.uk and found none amending the ESQCR (NI) 2012 for plug-in solar.
- NIE Networks. We couldn’t find a plug-in solar page from NIE Networks, the NI network operator.
Can I buy a kit in NI now?
You can buy one, since the plug-approval part of the law extends to NI. But the part that allows use doesn’t, so using it now would be outside the legal framework. We don’t recommend it.
What would make it legal?
Two things:
- The NI Executive amends the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
- NI connection rules (G98/NI) cover plug-in kits.
We’ll update this page when that happens.
What to do next
If you’re planning ahead, the GB rules show what NI’s could look like, though they may differ:
