MSE guide: plug-in solar panels

Martyn1981

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109990#Comment_82109990

But there is a general warning to beware of plugs outputting power

Good point, that reminded me that you should be careful touching the pins of a plug immediately after removal for some devices like fridges, freezers and heatpumps.

And if extending a cable with male/female connector, the female goes on the power side, and the male on the device side, to avoid 'powered pins'.

prowla

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110428#Comment_82110428

Yes, never have a cable with the same connector at both ends (ie. 2x male or 2x female); I once had an incident where someone had done that: daisy-chained two cables one M-M and one F-F!!!

paul991

out of interest how many people on here have ever had their house wiring tested?

Netexporter

<hangs head in shame>

In mitigation, m'lud, I put it to you that my old consumer unit will be replaced by an 18th Edition item when I get a round tuit.

paul991

What I was trying to say there should be no problems if wiring is checked every 10 years and kept up to date ,but whilst most people will have their Gas serviced once a year, many put their wiring at a lower priority. Maybe should be a different thread.

Ectophile

It's worth remembering that approved balcony solar systems are limited to only 800W. That's much less than a kettle, and less than a toaster. Maybe a vacuum cleaner. And you don't have your wiring tested before plugging in any of those appliances.

A "granny lead" used to charge an electric car can draw 2300W for a full day to charge a car. That's way more than 800W for a few hours when it's sunny. It's granny leads that can burn out old sockets.

LHbeware

Leaseholders do not own their flats - they only lease them. Most leases wont allow fitting anything to the walls, roof, balcony, etc without freeholders consent (for which they often charge) Solar panels can NOT be freestanding (the 3 pin plug - not the socket) is live. Many electrical supplies will not cope with power going the wrong way up the wire, also if a number of flats in the same block are doing that then the main feed to the building can exceed the stated limit and be overloaded. It will get worse when storage batteries are added. Most flats do not allow charging bikes etc. even mobility scooters. They certainly should not allow charging at 240 volts. it usually wont be allowed to hang them on the balcony like washing etc. It is irresponsible to promote these as suitable for flats. In leasehold properties they will almost certainly be denied. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY. Seek landlords full consent first.

PS As a managing agent I manage thousands of leasehold flats. Most solar panel requests will be denied.

QrizB

@LHbeware wrote:

Solar panels can NOT be freestanding

That's not true. There are plenty of freestanding options for solar panels.

Many electrical supplies will not cope with power going the wrong way up the wire

That's also not true; HMG commissioned a study and no significant problems were found with installations typical of most UK domestic supplies.

also if a number of flats in the same block are doing that then the main feed to the building can exceed the stated limit and be overloaded.

Also unlikely to be true, unless you're telling me that there are developments with supplies capable of supporting less than 800 watts per flat!

It will get worse when storage batteries are added.

Storage batteries aren't currently permitted, but I don't see how adding them will make it worse. The total amount of generated electricity will be the same, but batteries will mean more is self-consumed and less is exported.

Most flats do not allow charging bikes etc. even mobility scooters

That sounds like disability discrimination to me. Are you sure about that?

It is irresponsible to promote these as suitable for flats.

They're definitely suitable for flats.

PS As a managing agent I manage thousands of leasehold flats. Most solar panel requests will be denied.

I feel sorry for your leaseholders.

LHbeware

It would be a shame if leaseholders go and spend their money on solar panels but are then refused permission to use them. READ THE LEASE.

LHbeware

Read the "Joint Statement from ECA, Electrical Safety First, the IET, NICEIC, and Select on plug-in solar panels". (You can find it on the net) Also read leases and leasehold law. In many ways leaseholders are no different to renters, they dont own the building, they only lease the right to use it for a set period.