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Plug-in Solar supposedly going to be 'easier'?

Steve Nixon76

Hi all, new to the forum.

I've been reading (various media outlets are running with the story) that the government is planning to make it easier (no mention of safety) for consumers to connect solar PV panel inverter directly to the mains using a 3 pin plug and socket arrangement.

Considering all of the current guidance regarding the connection of a solar PV inverter to the mains (dedicated circuit, own RCD, no 3 pin plug), how is this all of a sudden going to be 'safe'?

The argument that 'Balcony Solar' is all the rage on the continent surely doesn't negate the potential risks all of a sudden. Surely the IET is in discussions with government and arguing that the dangers cannot simply be swept under the carpet?

Parents

  • Of course these devices will conform with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and the Electromagnetic Compatability Regulations 2016 won't they?

    What British Standards ENs will they conform with on the Declaration of Conformity?

    Will they conform the to ENA Type Testing requirements to operate in parallel with the DNO supply?

    How will the RCD that is hopefully on the socket circuit handle bi-directional current?

    Will the inverter keep supplying the circuit when the RCD trips on a fault beyond the required disconnection time?

    JP

  • in reply to John Peckham

    I fear the answer to all those very valid concerns will be forgotten in the race to reduce the cost of the plug in option to the minimum. Given you can buy and plug in phone charger that is both a virulent source of interference, and lethal, for about half the price of the good one, and folk routinely do, to save a few quid, my confidence that all DIY solar installations will be full compliant is, shall we say,  not high.

    Also many of the general public  do not appreciate that when you buy from Amazon/Ebay/Aliexpress/Desertcart etc and the parcel comes to your house  from abroad, you the purchaser assume the importers' responsibilities with regard to things like CE safety tests and other regulatory matters - so if there are issues, you are very much on your own. But, equally, such things are already out there, and there are not and regulatory mechanisms that are readily enforceable.

    The better ones do claim to comply example. "With the user-friendly Flex-S3 Plug and Play Cable, installation is simple—just connect the micro-inverter directly to a socket with no need for complicated wiring."

    That particular model can be bought as a kit with a couple of  panels and mountings for a few hundred quid.

    Mike.

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  • in reply to John Peckham

    I fear the answer to all those very valid concerns will be forgotten in the race to reduce the cost of the plug in option to the minimum. Given you can buy and plug in phone charger that is both a virulent source of interference, and lethal, for about half the price of the good one, and folk routinely do, to save a few quid, my confidence that all DIY solar installations will be full compliant is, shall we say,  not high.

    Also many of the general public  do not appreciate that when you buy from Amazon/Ebay/Aliexpress/Desertcart etc and the parcel comes to your house  from abroad, you the purchaser assume the importers' responsibilities with regard to things like CE safety tests and other regulatory matters - so if there are issues, you are very much on your own. But, equally, such things are already out there, and there are not and regulatory mechanisms that are readily enforceable.

    The better ones do claim to comply example. "With the user-friendly Flex-S3 Plug and Play Cable, installation is simple—just connect the micro-inverter directly to a socket with no need for complicated wiring."

    That particular model can be bought as a kit with a couple of  panels and mountings for a few hundred quid.

    Mike.

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  • in reply to mapj1

    It seems that we are going to repeat the EVSE issue again.  The industry is moving much faster than the regulations thus with no regulations/product specifications in place in the UK we are at the mercy of the sales and marketing team of the manufacturer.  Uk government and BSI and IET need to take a somewhat proactive approach to the product spec and start getting something down on paper (other type of medium are available).  I agree that version 1 may not be a a mature specification but it is better than nothing.  

    As a sidenote with DIY solar/DIY inverter/DIY battery storage there needs to be a working group for the UK discussing and designing UK power stability be it through inertia or other mechanisms to proactively stabilising the UK power grid.  

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