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Sources for our solar guides

Every guide and answer on Be Solar Wise is based on the sources below: legislation, government and regulators first, then independent advice bodies and industry standards. Secondary sources are used only where no official page covers the point, and are marked as such.

Government, regulators and legislation

• Camden Council: solar PV panel guidance (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• DESNZ: Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification, version 2.0 (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• Planning Portal: solar panels, planning permission and building regulationsReviewed by hand
• GOV.UK / DESNZ: Plug-in solar: regulatory amendment and interim product specificationChecked automatically every week
• GOV.UK: Households can save as plug-in solar panels come to marketReviewed by hand
• GOV.UK: The Value Added Tax (Installation of Energy-Saving Materials) Order 2023Reviewed by hand
• GOV.UK: VAT on energy-saving materials and heating equipment (Notice 708/6)Checked automatically every month
• GOV.WALES: planning permission for solar panelsChecked automatically every week
• Historic England: Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings, Solar Electric (Photovoltaics)Checked automatically every month
• Ofgem: Changes to the energy price cap between 1 October and 31 December 2026Reviewed by hand
• Ofgem: Energy price cap update from 1 July 2026, revised typical consumption values (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee, guidance for generatorsChecked automatically every month
• Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee, information for electricity suppliersReviewed by hand
• Ofgem: decision to approve DCRP/MP/26/02, amendment to facilitate plug-in microgeneration (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• Planning Portal (England): solar equipment mounted on a house, block of flats or buildingChecked automatically every week
• Planning Portal (England): stand-alone solar equipment in the grounds of a house or block of flatsChecked automatically every week
• Planning Portal (Wales): common projectsReviewed by hand
• UK Plug-In Solar RegistrationChecked automatically every week
• West Suffolk Council: solar photovoltaics and planning in conservation areas (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• ePlanning ScotlandReviewed by hand
• legislation.gov.uk: Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012Reviewed by hand
• legislation.gov.uk: SI 2026/848Reviewed by hand
• legislation.gov.uk: SI 2026/896, changes to permitted development for solar equipment (England)Reviewed by hand
• nidirect (Northern Ireland government services), homepageReviewed by hand

Independent advice and consumer protection

• Business Companion (Chartered Trading Standards Institute): how to become a certified installerChecked automatically every month
• Citizens Advice: six things to know before plug-in solar panels hit the shelvesReviewed by hand
• Energy Saving Trust: Battery storageChecked automatically every month
• Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panelsChecked automatically every week
• Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels, checks to make before you buyChecked automatically every week
• Energy Saving Trust: Solar panelsChecked automatically every week
• Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC), version 9, July 2026 (PDF)Reviewed by hand

Industry bodies, standards and network operators

• BSI: PAS 63100:2024 overview (PDF)Checked automatically every month
• Electricity North West: G98 and G99 application guide (2021 slides, PDF)Reviewed by hand
• Energy Networks Association: Connect Direct device register (plug-in solar)Reviewed by hand
• MCS: Battery Installation Standard (MIS 3012)Reviewed by hand
• MCS: notifying distribution network operators (G98 and G99)Checked automatically every month
• MCS: Update on PAS 63100 and the IET Code of PracticeChecked automatically every month
• National Grid Electricity Distribution: G99 connection proceduresChecked automatically every month
• National Grid Electricity Distribution: G98 and G99 connection formsReviewed by hand
• NIE Networks (Northern Ireland electricity network), homepageReviewed by hand
• UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook: lender consent for solar PV roof-space leasesReviewed by hand

Portable power stations, tariffs and safety

• CAA: Pack right for your flight (batteries and power banks)Checked automatically every month
• CAA: changes to the rules on carrying lithium batteries and power banks (from 27 March 2026)Checked automatically every month
• London Fire Brigade: how to charge e-bikes and e-scooters safelyChecked automatically every month
• London Fire Brigade: batteries and chargersChecked automatically every month
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: e-bikes and e-scootersChecked automatically every month
• Electrical Safety First: power banksChecked automatically every month
• GOV.UK (OPSS): Buy safe, be safe, avoid e-bike and e-scooter firesChecked automatically every month
• GOV.UK (OPSS): product safety report, AFERIY portable power station (June 2025)Reviewed by hand
• GOV.UK (OPSS): product safety report, VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1000 portable power station (July 2025)Reviewed by hand
• legislation.gov.uk: Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, regulation 21Checked automatically every month
• DESNZ: Plug-in solar, government response, July 2026 (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• Ofgem: changes to the energy price cap between 1 October and 31 December 2026Reviewed by hand
• Ofgem: Energy price cap explainedChecked automatically every month
• Ofgem: Economy 7 consumer guideChecked automatically every month
• Energy Saving Trust: time of use tariffs, all you need to knowChecked automatically every month
• Which?: time-of-use tariffs explainedChecked automatically every month
• Octopus Energy: Octopus Go (tariff for electric car owners)Checked automatically every month
• GOV.UK: temporary zero rate of VAT for domestic electricity in Great BritainChecked automatically every month
• European Commission JRC: PVGIS solar estimates (version 5.3)Reviewed by hand
• Anker SOLIX UK: solar charging a portable power stationReviewed by hand
• EcoFlow: DELTA 2 Max user manual (charging temperature) (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• Jackery: Explorer 1000 v2 user manual (charging temperature) (PDF)Reviewed by hand
• legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (short-term right to reject)Checked automatically every month
• GOV.UK: accepting returns and giving refundsChecked automatically every month
• legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, section 2Reviewed by hand
• legislation.gov.uk: GPDO 2015, Schedule 2, Part 14 (renewable energy), as amendedChecked automatically every month
• EcoFlow UK: DELTA 3 Plus specificationsReviewed by hand
• EcoFlow UK: DELTA 3 Max Plus specificationsReviewed by hand
• Jackery UK: Explorer 1000 v2 specificationsReviewed by hand
• Bluetti UK: Elite 30 V2 specifications (power lifting mode)Reviewed by hand

Other reputable sources (secondary)

• BestBuilders: solar battery cost UK 2026 (market survey)Checked automatically every month
• Charcol: solar panels and mortgage lendersReviewed by hand
• Construction Index: Solar panels and heat pumps OK on listed buildings, says Historic England (14 Nov 2023)Reviewed by hand
• Energy Matters: Tesla Powerwall 2 vs Powerwall 3 (battery chemistry)Checked automatically every month
• EverExceed: why LiFePO4 batteries cannot be charged below 0 °CChecked automatically every month
• Habo Energy: sodium-ion home batteries in the UK, 2026Checked automatically every month
• Heiwit: sodium-ion batteries at low temperaturesReviewed by hand
• Homebuilding & Renovating: can you install solar panels on listed buildings?Reviewed by hand
• Irwin Mitchell: solar panels in residential transactions, legal must-knowsReviewed by hand
• Kilowatts: How much solar power can I generate?Reviewed by hand
• LV=: solar panels and home insuranceReviewed by hand
• pv magazine: comparing the safety of lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state batteriesReviewed by hand
• SolarGridCheck: home batteries ranked by price per kWh, 2026Reviewed by hand
• Tesla: Powerwall 3 datasheet, UK (PDF)Checked automatically every month
• The Cost of Solar: solar battery storage costs UK 2026 (market survey)Checked automatically every month

How we check these pages · Recent changes

Updated 2026-10-05.