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DIY home battery storage with an EE degree? Where to find electricians with correct qualfication?

benforone

I want to have a ~7kwh home battery storage, they cost more than £4000 (without installation) if I buy an all-in-one solution (inverter + DC batteries in a wall-mounted pack).
Given an EE background, I started digging into what such a system contains, and it turns out only take £2,870 and a server rack to build AC-coupled storage (like building a PC). 

The problem I have is I googled a few battery/solar installers in the Cambridge area, but they only install products with existing dealerships (for cashback reasons?).
I am wondering if additional qualification is required for electricians to install a battery storage system? i.e. if I can hire anyone with an NICEIC certification?

PS: Please shout out if you know where to search or if you want to take the job.

The inverter wiring schematics looks straightforward to me. I understand I probably need an AC and DC switch on both ends of the inverter to be fully compliant.

/cfs-file/A__key/communityserver-components-multipleuploadfilemanager/298edce6_2D00_e269_2D00_4897_2D00_ba7e_2D00_9d909e6ca28d-64262-complete/Manual_5F00_RAI_2D00_3K_2D00_48ES_2D00_5G.pdf

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In the worst case, can I do it myself?
I know I need to disconnect the consumer unit from the meter (and solar panels), and the CT clamp can't be open-circuited.
But I remember somewhere it is against the regulation to open the consumer unit?

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    Connecting a system like this DOES have some legal requirements over and above Part P of the Building Regulations - see Sections 21 and 22 of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations.

    The legislation effectively requires:

    • DNO notification - probably in this case, with the schematic shown, using the G99 process with notification required prior to work commencing
    • The whole installation to comply with BS 7671. The schematic shown in the OP does not appear to comply with BS 7671 requirements as there is no means of earthing for the "backup" - to achieve this would also require isolation and N-E connection switching. The only option would be for "floating" output, but this is not recommended for supply to fixed wiring circuits as discussed in the IET Code of Practice for Electrical Energy Storage Systems.

    There are other things to consider:

    • Location and temperature control of batteries
    • Ventilation, that is, fresh air for air refresh (if required dependent on battery chemistry or battery manufacturer's requirements)
    • Whether fire detection is required where power conversion equipment or batteries are installed, see BS 5839-6.
    • Housings and location of battery to cover fire safety in the events of faults etc.
    • CDM Regulations Designer's Duties which require consideration that the system must be safe to maintain - others have already mentioned safe isolation).

    Might also be worth considering the insurance side if something were to go wrong.

Reply
  • 0

    Connecting a system like this DOES have some legal requirements over and above Part P of the Building Regulations - see Sections 21 and 22 of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations.

    The legislation effectively requires:

    • DNO notification - probably in this case, with the schematic shown, using the G99 process with notification required prior to work commencing
    • The whole installation to comply with BS 7671. The schematic shown in the OP does not appear to comply with BS 7671 requirements as there is no means of earthing for the "backup" - to achieve this would also require isolation and N-E connection switching. The only option would be for "floating" output, but this is not recommended for supply to fixed wiring circuits as discussed in the IET Code of Practice for Electrical Energy Storage Systems.

    There are other things to consider:

    • Location and temperature control of batteries
    • Ventilation, that is, fresh air for air refresh (if required dependent on battery chemistry or battery manufacturer's requirements)
    • Whether fire detection is required where power conversion equipment or batteries are installed, see BS 5839-6.
    • Housings and location of battery to cover fire safety in the events of faults etc.
    • CDM Regulations Designer's Duties which require consideration that the system must be safe to maintain - others have already mentioned safe isolation).

    Might also be worth considering the insurance side if something were to go wrong.

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