QUICK SUMMARY
Plug-in solar batteries are gaining momentum in the US, with more than 30 states proposing legislation to legalise the technology.
Already popular across parts of Europe, the systems could make home solar more accessible. Whilst they're still not legal in the UK, that could change later this year.
Plug-in solar batteries could soon become much more common in the US, with proposals now being considered in more than half of the country's states. The technology is already widely available across parts of Europe, particularly in Germany through brands such as Anker Solix and IKEA, so seeing it expand further is a really positive sign. Unfortunately, the systems are still not legal in the UK.
This is frustrating for many as energy bills remain high and UK heatwaves become more common. Plug-in solar batteries offer a more affordable way for homeowners and renters to generate and store their own electricity without installing a full rooftop solar system.
However, the good news is that UK regulations are expected to be reviewed later this year, so there's hope they could finally arrive here before too long.
According to TechRadar, the movement began when Utah became the first US state to pass House Bill 340 in March 2025, allowing portable solar panels or rooftop systems of up to 1,200W to be plugged directly into a standard household socket. Rather than sending electricity straight to the grid, the power is used by your home first, helping reduce reliance on mains electricity and lower energy bills.
Now, other states are following Utah's lead. According to The Cool Down, more than 30 states have introduced some form of legislation, whilst six states have already passed related laws. Progress across the country can be tracked using the Bright Saver Tracker, which shows where each state currently stands.
Some proposals have faced delays over safety concerns, but the introduction of the new UL 3700 safety certification is expected to address many of those issues. Products carrying this certification include built-in protections against overloading and prevent electricity from feeding back into the grid, making the systems much safer to use.
If the UK follows a similar path, plug-in solar batteries could become one of the easiest ways for households to cut energy bills and reduce their environmental impact. In the meantime, it's worth reading up on the 3 things to know before buying a plug-in solar battery so you're ready if the rules do change.
