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Electricity & gas · the UK
Checked 2026-09-30

🏘️ Can I share solar power with neighbours or join an energy community in the UK?

The short answer

Energy sharing lets households use power produced by a shared installation, a neighbour or a community project. Whether and how it works depends on the national rules.

📜 The rules in the UK

Energy sharing and communities

In Great Britain, sharing electricity locally between households is still being explored: the government's Local Power Plan (February 2026) plans pilots of local supply models during 2026 and funding so communities can own or buy into clean energy projects.

Great British EnergyRuns the Local Power Plan and community energy funding🔗 gov.uk
Official source: gov.uk · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. See what the rules allowThe options in the UK are listed below: sharing in one building, within a local area, or through an energy community.
  2. Find a project or partnersAsk your municipality, housing association or building owners whether a project exists or is planned.
  3. Check the meter and the contractSharing usually needs a smart meter and registration with the grid operator. Your normal supply contract continues for the rest of your use.
  4. Read the terms before you joinCheck the cost, how shared power is divided, and how you can leave.

📇 Who to contact

Great British EnergyRuns the Local Power Plan and community energy funding🔗 www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-power-plan
Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.ofgem.gov.uk
Utility Regulator (Northern Ireland)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.uregni.gov.uk
NIE Networks — Northern IrelandRuns the local grid, meters and connectionsPower cut, meter problem, new connection📞 03457 643 643🔗 www.nienetworks.co.uk

❓ Questions

Do I have to own solar panels?

No. In many schemes you can take part as a member or user without owning an installation.

Does my supplier stay the same?

Usually yes. The shared power is counted first and your supplier provides the rest.

Who registers the sharing?

Normally the grid operator or the body named on this page. Ask them before you start.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

☀️Solar panels→🔗New or bigger connection→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→

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