Plug-in solar panels: expert warns UK homeowners to check insurance before installing
UK homeowners considering plug-in solar panels should disclose installations to their insurer, as the panels are covered under contents insurance and may affect premiums, an expert says.
Blackler said that plug-in solar is new technology and insurers do not yet have enough claims data to price against it. His main advice is to disclose any products and installations to the insurer and check policy documents to ensure there are no exclusions for the planned setup. Premiums may rise slightly after fitting the panels, but this is not guaranteed. Because the panels add to the total value of a property's assets, coverage limits may need adjusting, although some insurers may simply note the addition without charging extra.
Plug-in panels are generally covered under contents insurance rather than buildings insurance, as they are classified as portable equipment rather than permanent fixtures, Blackler said. Coverage, however, is strictly dependent on disclosure. Since plug-in panels feed energy directly into the home's electrical circuit, a homeowner is essentially adding a mini power station to the property. If the insurer is not informed and an electrical fire or fault later occurs, the policy could be invalidated.
Blackler explained that from an insurer's perspective, the risk profiles for conventional roof-mounted solar panels and plug-in panels are completely different. Traditional roof-mounted panels are permanent structural fixtures covered under buildings insurance, requiring installation and sign-off by MCS-accredited electricians. These setups can also involve leasing or subscription models where customers do not own the panels, but they may still create additional structural risk that some insurers increase premiums for.
Plug-in panels, on the other hand, are self-installed and exempt from mandatory electrician sign-offs. This introduces a new element of unmanaged electrical risk, especially in flats and leasehold properties where a poorly connected panel plugged into outdated wiring could push electrical fault and fire risks into communal parts of the building. Because installation quality is harder to verify with plug-and-play systems, insurers view them as a distinct and evolving category, Blackler said.
Blackler also noted that adding a battery or power cell installation along with solar panels increases complexity. A battery is a high-value electrical item, and most home batteries are lithium-ion, carrying a small but significant fire risk. This technology is relatively new to the mass market, and insurers are still gathering the data necessary to price against it effectively.