Plug in solar (only solar) legal from 27th August

Heedtheadvice

Thanks to others who have given the reasons for my statement re G98 and limit on plugin solar circuits ( whilst I have been busy on other tasks).

It is certainly a useful improvement for those inclined to get plugins covered by changes to several regulations collectively. Pity storage not included.

It is however not cart blanch to install whatever and wherever and ignore "the rules" though I seriously doubt that many will comply either through ignorance or a don't care attitude.

EricMears

It's not clear from the above comments if someone with a 'proper' solar panel installation would be allowed to add an additional Plug in solar unit ?

Aussie_Tips

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080779#Comment_82080779

There is some dubiety, however the key component is the DNO. Current rules state if your total inverter capacity is under 3.6kw (ie a 2kw "proper" inverter and an 800w plug in) then that's a G98 and it's ok. However if adding your "proper" system makes the total over 3.6kw (ie 3kw "proper" system with 800w plug in) then your into G99 territory

paul991

so if you have a south west system is it worth having a 800 watt plug in unit at the back of the house to catch the early morning sun

Aussie_Tips

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080834#Comment_82080834

The short answer is "it depends"

Your existing system will be DNO approved and adding extra inverter capacity will require additional DNO g99 approval. If you are comfortable applying for it then maybe.

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080448#Comment_82080448

Did you manage to find the updated G.98? All I could find was the 2025 edition, even in the ENA library.

Qyburn

The IPS states "Only one plug-in solar product shall be used per household final ring circuit"

I'm not convinced that's the intent. Firstly because it's been known all along that plugin systems in Europe will all be connected to radials. Indeed there was a specific study within which they looked at whether the uniquely British ring final might introduce issues that don't exist with radials. That study tested on both ring and radial circuits.

In addition the IPS on page 36/37 details what types of circuits it may or may not be connected to. That would be an obvious place to state only sockets on a ring final.

Finally and this is just my view, there's no technical reason for that limit. My suspicion is that at some point the single "ring circuit" reference on page 7 was drafted by someone unaware that sockets could be on any other sort. Sort of backed by the wording "final ring circuit" rather than "ring final circuit.

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82081038#Comment_82081038

No, I could only find the draft amendment, which states in Appendix A.1.2:

Only one Plug-in Micro-generator is permitted in any given Customer Installation.10 A Plug-in Micro-generator may be connected in a Customer’s Installation that contains permanently wired Micro-generators, provided that the aggregate Registered Capacity of all Micro-generators is such that the current, at a nominal voltage of 230 V does not exceed 16 A per phase.

10 This limit aligns with the DESNZ safety case for Plug-in Micro-generators.

There is also a new Form B2 to be used by the customer to notify the DNO of installation of plug-in micro-generators, confirming that no more than one plug-in micro-generator is installed at the property and where there are other (non-plug-in) micro-generators installed at the property, that the aggregate capacity does not exceed 16A (at 230V) per phase.

Edit: Some YouTube channels are commenting that plug-in solar constitutes a UK approved bought kit consisting of the micro-inverter, solar panels, all cabling and mounting for the panels implying that DIY implementations would not be legal.

Aussie_Tips

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82081192#Comment_82081192

Do you have a link for that document?

I have had a similar conversation with someone who helps write this stuff and they said something along similar lines (ie if you have an existing system, plug in can only be done if your existing & plug in systems come in under 3.6kw). In other words, no plug in if your existing hard wired system is above 3.6kw

NedS

@Aussie_Tips Here you go:

https://dcode.org.uk/assets/2026/dcrp-26-02-consultation-pack.zip