Are the Middle East issues forcing Solar Considerations?

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935326#Comment_81935326

I believe there are safety concerns connecting these to the grid if simply plugged into a 13A socket. They will not have the appropriate surge or RCD/RCBO protection as many RCD devices are not bi-directional, and some homes may not even have RCD devices fitted if they have not had their electrics updated for a while.

This is one of the main reasons such systems have not been allowed in the UK up until now.

Swipe

@NedS I'll have to give them a miss then when they get approved. I'm not forking out for a new consumer unit as well 🤬

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935363#Comment_81935363

There's a huge disconnect between what the IET, NICEIC and other trade bodies want, and what consumers do.

If you buy a new microwave oven, you don't call in an electrician to see if your house needs rewiring to work with it. Instead, you plug the oven in and it works. The same will happen with balcony solar. The consumer will buy a unit and plug it into the most convenient socket. And it will work.

Most houses in this country have obsolete electrics (with the possible exception of rented ones, where there are new rules in England at least). Those houses would all need updates to meet current standards. But those updates only happen when there's a problem, not because someone bought a new gadget.

Swipe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935390#Comment_81935390

So @NedS is incorrect and I'm fine to go ahead after all?

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935421#Comment_81935421

@NedS is totally correct. But most consumers won't know or care.

Swipe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935490#Comment_81935490

So if anything went wrong then, the insurance would likely side with NedS and refuse to pay out. I think I'll give it a miss as still have an old consumer unit with wire type cartridge fuses.

NedS

This also has implications for the DNO. At the moment, anyone can install solar (connect to the grid) up to 3.68kW under a G98, but they must notify the DNO within 28 days of doing so. This is so the DNO is aware of what is installed on their network and can ensure it continues to operate safely and in a stable way.

These plug-in solar kits are to be upto 800W. The government have said they will need to update the DNO regulations. I assume they are not going to require every purchaser to notify the DNO, so the DNO must now assume every property has 800W of solar installed. What if a household decides these are such great value they buy two (1600W) or three (2400W) kits. How are the DNO supposed to know. Further, in assuming every household has 800W of solar installed, this will seriously diminish the export limits they are able to offer for future rooftop solar installations. I can see it all getting messy.

Screwdriva

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935521#Comment_81935521

Completely agree. This is yet another poorly thought through (read: desperate) move from a government caught in yet another bind due to yet another war.

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935558#Comment_81935558

I agree it stinks of desperation. It's a 'policy' change that has safety implications re electrical regulations, has stability implications and knock on effects regarding the grid, and costs the government zero but makes it look like they are taking action in a time of crisis (always the best type of policy)

Depending on how they implement the G98/DNO side, if DNO's do assume every property now has a minimum 800W of solar, I would imagine that will instantaneously trigger mass scale local grid/substation upgrades at huge national cost. It will be interesting to see how they get this past the DNO's. Or perhaps we all just look the other way and hope it will be OK (like the electrical regulations).

JKenH

I suspect that the requirement (also reported in the BBC article) for new houses to have solar panels equivalent to 40% of the ground floor area will have a bigger impact on local grids than a few plug in panels. I am already into solar but if I were to build my house in 2028 I would (under the new regs) be expected to install about 16kWp of panels. I know the average might only be 4-6 kWp but that will add up. A few years back there was a development of 28 new houses in our village. That type of building would have a significant impact on a local grid. Yes, it would be manageable but there would be a cost borne either by the DNO or the developer.

Edit: I have just realised I posted here rather than on the thread on plug in solar on the Energy board so have moved part of the post over there.