Plug in solar question

QrizB

The guidance I have seen is you are only allowed to changing things like switch and sockets.

Here is the IET's FAQ to Part P of the Building Regs.

https://electrical.theiet.org/bs-7671-18th-edition-wiring-regulations/building-regulations/part-p-england-and-wales/frequently-asked-questions/

You're "allowed" to do any electrical work provided it complies with Part P (which in turn means complies with BS7671). For more major works you need to notify your local Building Control and pay their fee.

Notifiable work consists of:

• The installation of a new circuit
• The replacement of a consumer unit
• Any addition or alteration to an existing circuit in a special location

The fee is not trivial; this page from Stockport Council shows you're looking at almost £2k all in.

Using a professional electrician means they deal with all the Building Control aspects and (by virtue of being certificated) get a reduction in the BC fees.

sheenas

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013422#Comment_82013422

So we can safely ignore most DIY changes as it costs 2k for a certificate? It's worth noting the Electrician will self cert, when I say electrician that is someone who is a member of NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA.

The government may have guidance soon on suitable area for battery, i.e. not in the bathroom we will have to see what advised.

Qyburn

Of relevance to the subject, plug in solar, that IET page indicates that adding additional sockets to an existing circuit is not notifiable. I can't see any exception there for an external socket.

sheenas

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013499#Comment_82013499

I think we have cover this in the 3 or 4 posts, but we not add anything and therefore nothing is notifiable as things stand. We are plug in something just like a EV. The only difference being is that the device is designed to send power into the home. Added outside sockets is another topic, most will use an existing socket to keep costs down.

The IET's BS 7671 wiring regulations and G98 grid code have been updated to permit these devices to connect to domestic circuits without needing a qualified electrician to sign off on the work.

Currently changing a socket to a fused spar is allowable, but if you don't feel comfortable by all means either wait or get a sparky.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) commissioned safety studies to assess the rollout of truly plug-in units, expected soon. This will clear the final hurdles around the use a standard plug.

Heedtheadvice

Very Interesting what you post Sheenas and Qrizb

It is news to me that it is now 'legal' under bs7671 because of amendments made in April and not needing a competent person ( I read between the lines and roughly paraphrase what is written, I.e. how the uninitiated might read it.

There are still several things that must be complied with and even the website https://www.pluginsolarexplained.co.uk/bs-7671-amendment-4/ shows that it is not just a simple case of plug in or making circuit changes and even the IET forum raises lots of questions.

Rather than quoting pages and sections and documents in isolation and giving opinions we need an overview of it all otherwise we might risk readers assuming everything is covered and we just go ahead! At present we are collectively giving out potentially confusing and limited information ( sometimes at odds with other posts ) in our aim to help.

Qyburn

Currently changing a socket to a fused spar is allowable,

That would not be notifiable, so could be done DIY by a competent person. But a fused spur wouldn't necessarily be compliant for connection of a generation source.