Plug-in solar · Before you buy
How to check if a plug-in solar system is compliant
It takes a couple of minutes on the official register. Here’s where to look, what to match, and what to do if you can’t find it.
By Mike · Updated 25 September 2026 · 5 min read
How do I check for compliant plug-in solar?
Find the exact model on the official ENA register, and make sure it says Compliant.
The register is run by the Energy Networks Association. Manufacturers must get each plug-in solar device assessed and listed as compliant there before selling it — a device that’s only been submitted doesn’t count.
Compliance belongs to a specific model, not a brand, so match the manufacturer, model and ENA reference exactly.
What to match
Manufacturer
Model number
ENA reference
Type: Plug-in Solar
Status: Compliant
What “compliant” means
Meeting the government’s specification
For plug-in solar, compliant means the device meets the government’s Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification. Only compliant devices can be sold and plugged in under the rules that came into force on 27 August 2026.
The specification requires manufacturers to register each device on the ENA Type Test Register and get confirmation that it has been assessed as compliant before selling it. Compliant kits must also state on the product that they comply with the specification.
Retailers often call compliant plug-in solar kits “approved”. On the official register, the word to look for is Compliant.
Step by step
How to check the official register
01
Open the register
Go to ENA Connect Direct and choose Live Device Register. The page is called “Search the ENA Type Test Register”.
02
Filter to plug-in solar
Open Filters and set Type to Plug-in Solar. The register also lists thousands of other devices, such as batteries and rooftop solar inverters.
03
Search for the exact model
Search by Model or System Reference, or choose the Manufacturer.
04
Check every detail matches
The manufacturer, model and reference should match what the retailer is selling. Similar model numbers can be different devices.
05
Check the status
It should say Compliant. The register shows two statuses: Compliant and Non-compliant.
A real example
Same brand, different answers
Here’s what the official register showed on 25 September 2026 for two plug-in solar devices from the same manufacturer:
● Compliant · 25 September 2026
INS-PPG-800
ENA reference INSTA/20951/V1/A9
Manufacturer InstaGroup · Type Plug-in Solar
● Non-compliant · 25 September 2026
INS-PPG2-800
ENA reference INSTA/21195/V1/A1
Manufacturer InstaGroup · Type Plug-in Solar
Two model numbers one character apart, and two different results. That’s why the brand name alone isn’t enough. These statuses are as listed on 25 September 2026 and can change, so always check the current entry.
How WattVerdict helps
Check the systems we track in one place
WattVerdict tracks UK plug-in solar systems against the official ENA data. Our comparison shows each system’s manufacturer, model, ENA reference and compliance status, with the date we last checked it, and you can search by any of them.
Our ENA data is refreshed once a day, so it isn’t a live feed. The official register is always the final word — WattVerdict doesn’t certify or approve products.
Good to know
Common questions
The retailer says it’s approved, but I can’t find the exact model. What should I do?
Ask the retailer for the device’s ENA reference and search for it. If you still can’t find it listed as Compliant under Plug-in Solar, don’t treat it as compliant. The official registration portal says a device that can’t be found may still be going through assessment, and suggests checking again after a few days.
What if it’s listed as Non-compliant?
Then it doesn’t meet the requirements. Only compliant devices can be sold and plugged in under the new rules, and in England, Scotland and Wales a plug-in solar device mustn’t be installed or used unless it meets the specification. Is plug-in solar legal in the UK?
Is the whole brand approved?
No. Compliance is listed device by device, and the same manufacturer can have both compliant and non-compliant models.
What if the device is listed under another type, such as “PV”?
For this check, make sure the ENA entry’s device type is Plug-in Solar. A listing under another device type isn’t evidence that the product has been assessed under the Plug-in Solar requirements.
Does it matter after I buy?
Yes. When you register your device with your network operator, the official portal only lets you choose from approved devices. How to register plug-in solar.
What about Northern Ireland?
The plug-in solar route described here applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate connection requirements under G98/NI. Check the current requirements with NIE Networks before buying or connecting a system.
Sources
Where this information comes from
Search the ENA Type Test Register — ENA Connect Direct
Energy Networks Association · the official register of devices and their compliance status.
Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification, version 2.0
GOV.UK · how devices must be registered and assessed before they’re sold, July 2026 (PDF).
Plug-in solar: Regulatory amendment and interim product specification
GOV.UK · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The government response, July 2026.
Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, regulation 22
legislation.gov.uk · a plug-in solar device must meet the specification to be installed or used.
myplugin.solar — UK Plug-in Solar Registration
The official registration portal, run by the Energy Networks Association. Its FAQ on devices not yet listed.
Sources checked 25 September 2026.
Related questions
The rules
Is plug-in solar legal in the UK? →
What the law allows, what isn’t covered, and how to stay within the rules.
After you buy
Do I need to register plug-in solar? →
Who registers what, and how the official process works.
Check a system
Search the systems WattVerdict tracks
Search by manufacturer, model or ENA reference to see each system’s compliance status and when we last checked it — then compare prices where we’ve verified them.