Plug in solar

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947204#Comment_81947204

These new systems will come with a standard 13A plug fitted. Most people would not get them installed by an electrician.

If you bought a new kettle, would you hire an electrician to plug it in for you?

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946414#Comment_81946414

My rooftop solar system was installed years ago, so it's safe to assume that it's not a bidirectional one. It hasn't caught fire yet.

I have never had an insurance company ask me if my electrics conform with any specific edition of BS7671. That's good, because there will be very few homes in the UK that do actually comply. If an insurance company doesn't ask about a risk, they can't then reject a claim because of it.

Voltage surges shouldn't happen if people only buy one system each. They are limited to 800W, or about 3.5A, which is hardly anything.

The DNO currently needs notification of a new install. But the government sets the rules and the government can change them.

Installations of up to 3600W, 16A, usually go through approval with little fuss. You'd need a lot of balcony systems to get close to that.

Aussie_Tips

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949008#Comment_81949008

The risks are there, the question is do you wait and hope or try to mitigate the risks? Personally I am for mitigation

Bi-directional breakers have been the standard for a while, however if you don't have them then you don't have them. There are known faults with both AC outflow and DC leakage that the newer breakers don't suffer.

As for the insurance issue, it comes into play when you want to claim, so the last thing you want at the time of claiming is something the insurer could claim invalidates your insurance.

Voltage surges might not be the right term. Maybe voltage rise is a better description. They do happen and if you were on any of the Ecoflow or other standard solar install groups you'd see people experiencing them (admittedly infrequently but they do happen)

And on DNO we are seeing people putting existing systems G98 approval at risk by thinking they can plug in one of these without notification. Adding a small inverter to a G98 3.6kw approved system puts it into G99 territory.

The key in all of this is knowing the rules and making an informed decision. The failure in all of this is people saying "just plug it in, it will work fine".

Scot_39

The comment above re several 800W - got me to thinking about larger blocks of flats - many of which could have their onw freeholder distribution systems - will they allow multiple flats to back generate maybe 10s kW of power.

Will those on heat networks etc be allowed ?

And a lot of talk about electrical here - but what about mechanical / building standards - are there any mechanical installation conditions being imposed. Or dare I say it periodic inspections in case bolts work loose or mountings rust ?

Are installs going to be notifiable to insurers (building ?)

These panels are not that light - 15-25kG - one falling from height even 2nd or third floor - let alone taller blocks - could be lethal - I suspect buildings insurers would need to know if cover includes liability / legal insurance ?

lohr500

My thoughts, for what they are worth :

If the likes of Aldi, Lidl, Amazon, etc are going to be selling these, then people will be buying them on the basis of plug and play. And they will end up being used across the whole spectrum of property wiring conditions. From new build electrics which should meet the latest regulations, to old houses and flats that still have the old wired fuses in the consumer unit. So the units themselves are going to have to be pretty fool proof.

At best, there may be some form of simple paper or online registration required, but beyond that I can't see any additional burden being placed on the customer. If there were to be an additional burden, then most people wouldn't bother complying and/or the costs of doing so would make the idea of low cost balcony solar a non starter. .

My biggest worry isn't with the electrics , but as mentioned by @Scot_39 , it is that in many cases the panels won't be secured adequately. A real hazard in strong winds, or if they fall from height.

The inverter electronics can be as smart as possible to prevent discharging to the grid when no mains voltage is present. But if some clown dangles them off the balcony of a 10th floor apartment block, using granny's knitting wool, (which they will!!!) then the outcome will not be good.

Baldytyke88

For people who already have solar panels and these are additional, will the input from the panels go in the same direction and the householder receives additional FIT?

tfhnota

To get people to register they will need some export, maybe 20p a unit up to a daily limit. The simplified system promised by Ed could include generating an export MPAN so it works with the energy retailers systems. Be interesting to know how many balcony "installs" in Euroland have become dangerous flying objects, presumably not many.

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949008#Comment_81949008

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949408#Comment_81949408

If they're literally plugged into a normal socket the power won't register on the generation meter, so won't earn generation payments. If they're on a metered export tariff then any addition export from a plug in system will earn credit at the same rate as their existing export. If they're on a deemed export tariff they'll get nothing for any additional export.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949465#Comment_81949465

Theres a couple of you tube videos where people just left their standard large solar panels propped up against a wall or fence - or put them fixed on angled DIY stands on flat roofs (wieghed down by balast bags in one case) - like garages / extensions - but didn't bolt the stands to the roof (as one commented - "I didn't want to risk leaks" by drilling through to secure). So needless to say both lost panels / had them blown off roofs in bad weather.

There are also instances when things like patio / garden furniture or barbecue covers have been blown off balconies - so much so that some HA actually ban their use.

You should never overestimate some peoples ability to install things sensibly or react to weather conditions.