Plug-in solar becomes available in Great Britain today but millions of Australian renters and apartment dwellers are missing out on slashing their power bills because they can't be used in Aussie homes.
Solar Citizens has called on all Australian Governments to ensure plug-in solar is made safely available throughout the country within the next 12 months.
Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas says:
“More than a third of Australians rent or live in apartments and they are extremely frustrated that they are locked out of the bill-busting benefits that solar home owners enjoy.
“We see the UK, Germany, and our neighbour New Zealand making plug-in solar available - so it’s time for Australian politicians and regulators to work it out here. If it’s good enough for the Kiwis and the Brits, it’s good enough for us.”
“Solar Citizens has written to all Australian Governments urging them to lay out a plan for the regulation of plug-in solar.
“It’s unfair that more than three million Aussies who could benefit from portable plug-in solar anels are missing out because our regulations aren’t up to date with the latest technology.”
“From today, plug-in solar is legal in the UK [1] and just last week, the New Zealand Government announced it will make plug-in solar legal within the next 12 months [2] . It is time for Australian Governments to act.”
What is Plug-in Solar?
Plug-in solar refers to small solar units that can literally be plugged into power points to help offset the cost of fridges, TVs and other appliances.
They can be attached to apartment balconies or installed in backyards and can be taken by renters when they move to other residences. They do not require electricians to install the appliances.
Plug-in solar systems provide around 600-800 watts of power and would likely cost between $650 - 1300.
While plug-in solar systems can currently be sold in Australia, they cannot legally be plugged in and used.
There are important safety and regulatory issues that need to be resolved, which is why Australia’s Energy Ministers should work together now to develop clear, nationally consistent rules.
Expert View
Solar and battery engineer Glen Morris, Director of Smart Energy Lab and a member of the Standards Australia committees that write the solar and battery installation rules:
"An 800 watt plug-in system on a balcony or in a backyard with reasonable sun will produce around 1,000 kilowatt hours a year in most of Australia. It can be used to run the fridge, the router, the TV and whatever else is on during the day, that is worth $300 to $400 a year off the bill at current tariffs. A kit that costs about $1,000 pays for itself in three years and keeps working for twenty. For most renters it is the only form of solar they can own, and they take it with them when they move."
"The path to safe plug-in solar is not complicated. Germany has had over a million of these systems plugged in for years and the UK has just written the rules into its wiring regulations. We do not need to invent anything. We need a product standard so the inverter shuts down instantly when unplugged, a cap of around 800 watts so it cannot overload a normal power circuit, and a simple registration with the network so they know it is there. That is a job for the Energy Ministers to hand to the regulators with a deadline."
“None of the concerns raised about plug-in solar needs new technology, they need a rule that says what is acceptable."
NOTES
[1] Government legalises plug in solar panels, UK Property Institute
[2] Government prioritises solar review, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Energy Minister Simeon Brown, 17 August, 2026