What does a microinverter do?

It converts the direct current (DC) produced by a solar panel into alternating current (AC) that matches the voltage and frequency of the mains supply, so the electricity can be used by ordinary appliances in your home.

Why does plug-in solar need a microinverter?

Panels generate DC, but a household socket carries AC. A plug-in system uses a small microinverter, usually attached to or built into the panel, to produce mains-synchronised AC. Without it, the panel's output could not feed your home through a socket.

Is a microinverter the same as a string inverter?

No. A string inverter is a single, larger unit that converts the combined DC output of several panels wired in series. A microinverter sits at the individual panel and converts that one panel's output, which is the approach plug-in solar typically uses.

Are microinverters covered by UK rules?

Any electrical equipment connected in the home must meet current UK requirements such as BS 7671, and generation connected to the network is normally notified to the distribution operator under the relevant engineering recommendation. Plug-in solar itself is not yet legal to sell, supply or use in the UK — a Government consultation is open until 30 June 2026.

Guide

Microinverters explained

What a microinverter is, why plug-in solar depends on one, the UK safety and network context, and how microinverters compare with string inverters.

Written and edited by Christopher Panteli

Last reviewed 19 June 2026

Christopher is the founder and editor of MyPlugInSolar. He oversees the site’s research standards, data tools and editorial process. He is not an electrician or solar installer, and specialist technical claims are sourced from official documentation or reviewed by appropriately qualified professionals.

A microinverter is the small electronic device that turns the electricity a solar panel produces into a form your home can actually use. It is the component that makes plug-in solar possible, so it is worth understanding what it does and where it fits in the UK picture.

Before going further, one essential point: plug-in solar cannot currently be legally sold, supplied or used in the UK. A Government consultation that could change this is open until 30 June 2026. We cover the detail on the UK legal status page.

What is a microinverter?

Solar panels generate direct current (DC). The electricity in your home, and at the socket, is alternating current (AC) at a set voltage and frequency. A microinverter sits at the panel and converts that panel's DC into AC that is synchronised with the mains. In a plug-in system the microinverter is usually built into, or attached directly to, the panel, which is what allows a single lead to carry usable AC to your home.

Why plug-in solar relies on a microinverter

A household socket carries AC, but a panel on its own produces DC. The microinverter bridges that gap. Because it converts at the panel and outputs mains-compatible AC, a small plug-in kit can be designed around a simple connection rather than the fixed DC wiring and central inverter of a larger rooftop array. The trade-off is that each panel has its own conversion stage rather than sharing one.

Safety and standards context

Connecting any electrical equipment to your home brings it within UK electrical rules. Wiring and installations must comply with current requirements such as the IET's BS 7671 Wiring Regulations and the manufacturer's instructions. Separately, when generation is connected to the public network it is normally notified to your distribution network operator under the relevant engineering recommendation — the G98 and G99 framework published by the Energy Networks Association — and how this would apply to plug-in systems is one of the questions still being worked through.

Not yet legal — consultation open

The DESNZ consultation opened on 16 June 2026 and closes on 30 June 2026, with a response expected by 22 July 2026. See the the legal status for the full picture and sources.

Microinverter versus string inverter

Both convert DC to AC; the difference is where and how. A string inverter is a single, larger unit that converts the combined output of several panels wired together. A microinverter converts at each panel individually. Plug-in solar typically uses the microinverter approach because it suits one or two panels and a simple connection.

A general comparison — exact behaviour depends on the specific equipment.
Aspect	Microinverter	String inverter
Where it works	At each individual panel	One central unit for several panels
Typical use	Small plug-in systems and per-panel setups	Larger fixed rooftop arrays
Effect of shading on one panel	Mainly affects that panel	Can affect the whole connected string
Per-panel data	Often available	Usually reported per string, not per panel

Safety and compliance

A microinverter is electrical equipment that interacts with your mains supply. Any installation must follow current UK wiring regulations and the manufacturer's instructions, and any fixed-wiring work should be carried out by a qualified, registered electrician. Because the UK framework for plug-in solar is unsettled, do not buy a system expecting to use it legally today.

Frequently asked questions

What does a microinverter do?: It converts the direct current (DC) produced by a solar panel into alternating current (AC) that matches the voltage and frequency of the mains supply, so the electricity can be used by ordinary appliances in your home.
Why does plug-in solar need a microinverter?: Panels generate DC, but a household socket carries AC. A plug-in system uses a small microinverter, usually attached to or built into the panel, to produce mains-synchronised AC. Without it, the panel's output could not feed your home through a socket.
Is a microinverter the same as a string inverter?: No. A string inverter is a single, larger unit that converts the combined DC output of several panels wired in series. A microinverter sits at the individual panel and converts that one panel's output, which is the approach plug-in solar typically uses.
Are microinverters covered by UK rules?: Any electrical equipment connected in the home must meet current UK requirements such as BS 7671, and generation connected to the network is normally notified to the distribution operator under the relevant engineering recommendation. Plug-in solar itself is not yet legal to sell, supply or use in the UK — a Government consultation is open until 30 June 2026.

Sources

1. BS 7671 Wiring Regulations — Institution of Engineering and Technology
2. Connecting generation to the network (G98 / G99) — Energy Networks Association

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