MSE guide: plug-in solar panels

NorthernMarc

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82107857#Comment_82107857

Maggie adding a battery to you current system shouldn't affect any of above, however increasing your system with plugin solar will require notification to your DNO even if it stays under the 3.68kW per phase (G98), also if it takes you over the 3.68kW per phase, you will need a G99 before install and may be refused, dependant on houses electrical connection. If you are still on the FIT system a change to your system might cause removal of the FIT so you would need to contact your FIT Licensee for pre-approval, and you would revert to a SEG payments or require a separate meter for the increased export so it can run on the SEG which isn't feasible with plugin solar. Any failure to notify could result in loss of FIT or SEG as the DNO require system disconnection.

Hope all that helps.

NorthernMarc

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82107914#Comment_82107914

Prowla if as with my system the battery and solar are connect to the consumer unit (not directly to each other) then yes a plugin solar panel will charge the battery as the ring final is also connected to the consumer unit.

subjecttocontract

Oh dear. It looks to me like the introduction of plug in solar panels is going to

1. Create a long list of questions & queries.
2. Probably result in quite a few safety issues.
3. Total cost of installation & payback has not been considered. Etc

I can see this being a bag of worms and they are not even on sale yet.

PlugInSolarExplained

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82107903#Comment_82107903

True, for "plug in solar" only, planning hasnt changed for fixed systems that are hard wired. Which still DO allow fence mounting.

Riddle us that.

I have a £195 system of two panels (2x 450w) and a microinverter (800w) and it's brought down my bills by 28%. Bumper summer though!

QrizB

@Wanderlustg wrote:

The guide mentions attaching to fences, but doesn't point out there is additional planning permision needed when attaching to anything wooden.

That's not strictly true.

For a dwellinghouse, the exclusion is where:

in the case of plug-in solar, any part of the plug-in solar would be installed on a wooden fence, gate, wall or other means of enclosure

That leaves lots of wooden things you can attach it to. The top of a pergola for example, or the roof of a shed.

QrizB

I have existing solar panels and want to add some portable panels + battery. Am I legally allowed to do this?

Plug-in batteries are not approved under the Interim Product Specification, so aren't legal.

Sorry @Maggie73 .

PlugInSolarExplained

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108140#Comment_82108140

Also not quite true, you can buy them to operate as UPS devices but must have the back feed disabled entirely to be legal.

DJI Power 2000 can be used no problem, the fact it can back feed doesn't make it illegal.

QrizB

DJI Power 2000 can be used no problem, the fact it can back feed doesn't make it illegal.

I didn't get the impression that Maggie73 was talking about "charging a power bank", but I guess it could be read that way. Maybe they can clarify?

Arebelinadress

Would this product be suitable for campervan use 🤔

PlugInSolarExplained

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108266#Comment_82108266

microinverters? no they require 240v mains signal to function.