Electrical Safety First issues fresh guidance on plug-in solar panels, ECA welcomes “timely” intervention
Posted by: electime 27th August 2026
Electrical Safety First has published new guidance for households considering plug-in solar panels, warning that not every home is currently suitable for the technology and urging consumers to have their electrics checked before buying.
The charity’s intervention comes amid a growing consumer market for plug-in solar systems, which allow households to generate their own electricity without a full rooftop installation. However, Electrical Safety First has raised concerns that the technology, which sends electricity in the opposite direction through a property’s wiring, could damage older residual current devices (RCDs) designed to protect against electric shock.
Luke Osborne, Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, said: “Plug-in solar panels send electricity in the opposite direction in your property’s wiring. Whilst many modern homes may be able to enjoy this technology safely, we still have concerns plug-in solar panels may damage older devices in people’s homes which protect people from electric shock, known as RCDs.”
He added: “Because of this, it is our view that not every home will currently be suitable for plug-in solar. We urge households to ensure they have an RCD suitable for this technology and to consult a competent electrician if they are unsure if they have the right protections in place in their home.”
Five-point guidance
The charity has set out five recommendations for households to reduce risk:
- Not every home is currently suitable – Electrical Safety First recommends at least a Type A bidirectional RCD on circuits intended for plug-in solar. Homes with older Type AC RCDs should not use the systems until upgrading.
- Have electrics checked before buying – Households should have their installation assessed by a competent electrician registered with a competent persons scheme before purchase, particularly in older properties.
- Avoid extension leads and adapters – Plug-in solar systems should never be connected via extension leads, cable reels, multiway adaptors, travel adaptors or plug-in RCD adaptors, which can overheat and create additional safety risks.
- Buy only from reputable retailers – The charity is warning against third-party sellers on online marketplaces, which it says are not currently legally responsible for the safety of goods sold via their platforms.
- One home, one device – Only one plug-in solar system should be installed per household, as multiple units could reduce the effectiveness of protective devices.
The charity said its concerns were first raised in a report published earlier this year, which prompted a Government safety study. However, Electrical Safety First said it felt the study’s scope was too limited and did not fully assess the potential impact of plug-in solar on older-style RCDs.
Industry response
The guidance has been welcomed by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA). Gary Parker, Deputy Director of Technical at ECA, said: “We welcome Electrical Safety First’s timely and constructive statement published today, which rightly puts consumer safety at the heart of the growing plug-in solar market.
“Plug-in solar has the potential to help more households engage positively with low-carbon energy, but it is important that consumers understand these systems are not suitable for every home. Getting an installation assessed by a competent electrician before buying, avoiding unsafe connections through extension leads or adapters, and purchasing only from reputable retailers are sensible steps that will support safe and confident uptake.”
He added: “As this market develops, clear guidance and competent advice will be key to helping consumers benefit from these products safely and with confidence.”
