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MSE guide: plug-in solar panels
Hi everyone,
We've just published a new guide on Plug-in solar panels and we'd love to hear your feedback.
If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
Thanks for your help,
MSE Andrew
Comments
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I guess some people with a rooftop solar panel installation will buy & install the plug ins. The article doesn't cover the situation for them if they are already exporting excess energy to the grid, or if this might overload the system in some way or other qustions.
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Hi @MSE_Andrew the article currently says "Updated 23 April 2026".
There have been a lot of changes in the past three-and-a-half months. Has it been revised since then?
N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Kirk Hill Co-op member.Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 37 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.0 -
“Some kits should also come with will also come with mounting equipment too.”
This needs editing.
“Plug-in solar could cover around a quarter of your homes electricity use”
Apostrophe missing.
“a typical 4.6kWp system costs about £7,600 to install”
Should that be kWh?
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NO it is correct kWp = peak
4.8kWp 12x400W Longhi 9.6 kWh battery Giv-hy 5.0 Inverter, WSW facing Essex . Aint no sunshine ☀️ Octopus gas fixed 5.07 + Octopus Intelligent Flux leccy
CEC Email energyclub@moneysavingexpert.com1 -
Hi there,
For some reason it was showing the date the guide was created, not when it was last updated.
I've now fixed that!
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how will it work if you already have solar but just want to add a couple of panels in a different direction to get the early sun. Do I need to need to inform DNO as Im unlikely to ever export any more.
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That depends, you may need to gain approval before connecting it.
If your combined inverter ratings are now over 3.68kW then you will need to apply for permission to connect (G99) the new device and gain approval from the DNO before plugging it in.
If you previously had G98 approval for an inverter 3.68kW or smaller, and the new combined inverter ratings still remain below 3.68kW (seems unlikely as the original inverter would have to be 2.88kW or smaller), then you would simply need to notify the DNO of the new installation via a G98 Part B form for plug in solar which should be included with the inverter when you purchase it, assuming it has been approved for plug in use.
What rating is your current inverter?
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Whats the penalty for not gaining approval ?
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