MSE guide: plug-in solar panels

paul991

yes but its not in the rules for plug in solar

QrizB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82125536#Comment_82125536

Agreed. The rules at present allow one plug-in solar PV system per property, with an inverter capable of up to 800 watts output and panels totalling not more than 2000 watts nominal capacity.

The question from @shinytop however was "what will happen" not "is it permitted".

jimi_man

If one buys one of these units, how do you monitor how much energy you are producing? Does it come with a gauge or something?

QrizB

If one buys one of these units, how do you monitor how much energy you are producing? Does it come with a gauge or something?

Most of the microinverters (the bit that converts DC to AC) include WiFi so they can connect to the manufacturer's servers, and come with a phone app that lets you monitor what's going on.

prowla

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82124842#Comment_82124842

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82125562#Comment_82125562

"What will happen" is a bit of an open question…

I think it would work, but note that 800W at 253V = 3.12A, so there'd be a limit of 4 on a 13A circuit if you were thinking of scaling up further.

There has to be a question as to whether the safety features of multiple ones would work in a power outage, as they're supposed to cut out on losing mains, but could they get confused with each other and think there was still a valid mains signal present?

Since the question is "what would happen", I guess that encompasses possible scenarios such as if there was an unfortunate incident then would the insurance company be able to wriggle out of a claim?

Your G98 wouldn't be accepted for more than the 800W.

It's unlikely that you would be paid for any excess over the 800W you were feeding back onto the grid, so it wouldn't work if you were thinking of setting up a solar farm.

Taking the what-ifs further, one could be if big brother found out and you were sent to The Clink for the rest of your days.

There is some speculation that the legislation may be upgraded to 1 per circuit; however it is one per electricity meter in Germany, so I think that is unlikely.

Oh, an of course, on the "What will happen" question: you'll have spent twice as much money!

Netexporter

I think it would work, but note that 800W at 253V = 3.12A, so there'd be a limit of 4 on a 13A circuit if you were thinking of scaling up further.

The sockets are rated at 13A. A ring circuit has a 32A breaker.

prowla

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82125746#Comment_82125746

Also, you'd expect your electricity bill (£ or kWh) to show a reduction.

However, changes there may not be 100% attributable to the solar system per-se, as installing it might prompt you to think about energy saving & optimisation.

For example, you might run the washing machine during the day whilst the sun is out rather than overnight. You might even choose a less hot wash (I've started using my "Eco 30C" mode).

QrizB

There has to be a question as to whether the safety features of multiple ones would work in a power outage, as they're supposed to cut out on losing mains, but could they get confused with each other and think there was still a valid mains signal present?

Two systems in the same property is hardly any different to having two systems in neighbouring properties (that are on the same phase of supply from the substation). This has been thought of in the spec. They will both shut down.

It's unlikely that you would be paid for any excess over the 800W you were feeding back onto the grid, so it wouldn't work if you were thinking of setting up a solar farm.

Alternatively, export is export and your supplier will pay you for it. I don't think suppliers look that closely at the readings but I guess we won't know until someone (a) tries it and (b) is caught.

Taking the what-ifs further, one could be if big brother found out and you were sent to The Clink for the rest of your days.

Fitting two systems is a beach of the planning regs and/or the building regs. I'm not aware of any mechanism for breaching either or both of those to lead to life imprisonment. If you know otherwise, please share your sources.

HHarry

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82124842#Comment_82124842

The Plug in solar interim specification allows for more than one device to be installed - specifically one per final circuit, so in itself that isn’t a problem.

There is a slight issue in that a G98 submission only allows for one invertor per property - but the fact that this needs updating has been acknowledged (and may have been fixed already).

I’ve got one installed already, and another ready to go.

prowla

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82125795#Comment_82125795

Good point - I was thinking into the same socket!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82126025#Comment_82126025

I think the interim spec wording that there is the G98/DNO limitation which stands until it is resolved, so therefore it does not allow multiples.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82125822#Comment_82125822

You do know that the Clink bit wasn't serious, right? :-)