Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland position is unresolved. This page sets out what the sources say, and what they do not say.
6.1What the instrument does and does not reach
In SI 2026/848, regulations 1 and 2 extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Regulation 3, which amends the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, extends to England and Wales and Scotland only.
So the product-approval rules reach Northern Ireland, but the electricity safety rules in this instrument do not.
6.2The connection code is different
The product specification is clear on three points. Engineering Recommendation G98 applies to Great Britain only. In Northern Ireland, connection requirements are set out separately, by Engineering Recommendation G98/NI. And applying the specification to Northern Ireland is subject to further consideration and may require amendment.
Northern Ireland's distribution network is operated by Northern Ireland Electricity Networks and is not part of the fourteen Great Britain licence areas.
6.3What the consultation recorded
The government response records that a small number of respondents raised questions on how the standards would apply to Northern Ireland, and questioned whether there were implications for the Windsor Framework. The government acknowledged the comments without resolving the question.
6.4The practical position
It will not say plug-in solar is legal and usable in Northern Ireland on the same terms as Great Britain, because no source supports that. It will not say it is prohibited either.
The product rules were made on a UK-wide basis, but the electricity safety and network connection arrangements were not. The department has said that applying the specification in Northern Ireland needs further consideration. Anyone asserting a settled position is going beyond the published documents.