Simple Solar & Grid Tie Inverter

Martyn1981

rogerblack wrote: »

The obligation to get approval from the DNO only kicks in at 16A per phase.
If you had 3 phase, this would be around 12kW.

Apologies for being pedantic, but you'll always need permission/approval, it's just that you need prior approval for more than 16A or 3.68kW per phase. For 3.68kW or less, you can notify/seek approval afterwards - up to 4 weeks I think.

So in my case, my 3.6 system was installed, then notification sent to WPD, who then approved it. For my extension, I had to seek prior approval (as I would have a sum of inverters greater than 3.68kW on one phase (5.9kW in fact)), which was granted. I could have had the work done before approval, but commissioning it (switching the isolator to 'on') would have been an offence.

Mart.

EricMears

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Apologies for being pedantic, but you'll always need permission/approval, it's just that you need prior approval for more than 16A or 3.68kW per phase.

So in my case, my 3.6 system was installed, then notification sent to WPD, who then approved it. For my extension, I had to seek prior approval (as I would have a sum of inverters greater than 3.68kW on one phase (5.9kW in fact)), which was granted. I could have had the work done before approval, but commissioning it (switching the isolator to 'on') would have been an offence.

Mart.

Or might the offence not have occurred until whichever day was sunny enough to get you up to 3.69kW ?

I'm sure I remember reading (on MSE recently ?) that there was a device broadly similar to Immersun et al that ensured any generation above 16A didn't get exported

Martyn1981

EricMears wrote: »

Or might the offence not have occurred until whichever day was sunny enough to get you up to 3.69kW ?

I'm sure I remember reading (on MSE recently ?) that there was a device broadly similar to Immersun et al that ensured any generation above 16A didn't get exported

Sadly, doesn't work that way, had lots of chats with WPD connection team last Aug, brilliant guys. The offence is to connect without then notifying (up to 3.68kW) or connecting without prior approval a system capable of exceeding 3.68kW. To be honest, both the DNO and I didn't think my system would go over 3.68kW combined, but it went straight to 4.2kW (from about noon to 2pm BST). So they were right to require a site visit and prior approval.

[Edit: Sorry, pedantic head again, by connecting I mean final commissioning - switching on - not the install. M.]

The device is the EMMA GVS. It's actually more for larger use, so 3 phase, as it's expensive, but it guarantees to divert any excess over 3.68kW per phase. It's been tested by DNO's and has received approval, thus allowing renewable installs that on paper, appear to exceed the limit.

Here's some info, but it's a business site (just ignore that):

http://worcesterrenewables.com/renewables/emma/emma-gvs/

Mart.

rogerblack

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Apologies for being pedantic, but you'll always need permission/approval, it's just that you need prior approval for more than 16A or 3.68kW per phase. For 3.68kW or less, you can notify/seek approval afterwards - up to 4 weeks I think.

At least the above legislation only requires notification, not approval, up to 16A per phase.

From the DNO, that is, with regards to the above act.
If you're installing MCS registered generation, then you need to do the separate paperwork, which requires more.

(I should point out - don't do this without legal advice, unless you can afford a 5K fine if my above interpretation of the act is wrong, and I haven't checked for any statutory instruments which may amend, or caselaw which may warp the meaning.)

solarpvman

NiJK wrote: »

Hi,
I have an Owl Energy Meter on the main supply for the house which seems to work fine.

I suppose what I'm asking is if the energy I appear to be generating is truly being exported to the house.
Anyone any experience of a simple setup like this?

I have a simple elec usage monitor.
when PV is produced the monitor is WRONG. The monitor is one of those that clamps onto the cables near the real meter to detect flow. Most of these types of meter, apparently, cannot tell the direction of flow of the current...just that it is flowing.


so if we are really generating 2kw and using 1kw the meter MIGHT actually tell us we are using 1KW when really we are exporting 1KW.


hope that makes sense. it is right for me.

if there is a meter that can solve this please PM me I would love to know.