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

UK regulations do not allow plug-in solar to be used in the UK

Random thought - what happened to the CE/UKCA marking system? - presumably they shouldn't have been let onto any part of the EU market  unless they complied with the requirements of CE marking ... and presuming they did - wouldn't that (legally) make them acceptable for the UK market? (Yes, I did hear about so called Brexit, but I thought all the technical standards remain the same and the same principle holds, if by a national bit of legislation).

   - Andy.

A CE mark means that the manufacturer declares it meets the required parts of the relevant product standards, generally for electrical kit, usually the low voltage directive, and one or more EMC standards, and for things that qualify, also the  machinery directive, no ensure it is not going to maim someone,  or going to burst into flames or leach dangerous chemicals...

That may include the plug and socket regs, for things intended to plug into a 13A socket domestically, but does not include for example any extra requirements imposed by the BS7671, or the ECSQR.

It may or may not mean the manufacturer has actually done any testing, the responsible ones do, but they may have just created the declaration.

At the moment in terms of product standards, the VDE have one, but its not Europe wide. 

https://www.vde-verlag.de/normen/0100923/din-vde-v-0126-95-vde-v-0126-95-2025-12.html

The maximum permissible feed-in power of the inverter was set at 800 VA, in line with the amendment to application rule

E VDE-AR-N 4105:2024-10 "Generation systems on the low-voltage grid."

The maximum permissible total module power has been set at 800 Wp + 20% (i.e., 960 Wp) if the plug-in solar device is equipped with a 'household plug' (that is a Schucko plug in Germany).

The maximum permissible total module power rises to 2000 Wp if the plug-in solar device is equipped with a 'special energy plug', ' in accordance with DIN VDE V 0628-1 (VDE V 0628-1::2018-02)  This sort of thing is in use now for higher power systems.

In the UK to meet BS7671 that would at least need a fused spur, maybe a fused RCD spur., or better a dedicated radial.. It's not shuttered so suffers the same problem of not meeting UK regs as the  IEC 60309 ('blue plug") caravan hookups, though really its a lot harder to touch anything nasty.

Regards Mike

After some brief reading, I think that the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 allow a CE marking to be accepted in lieu of UKCA. However, Reg. 3 excludes plugs and sockets:

(2) These Regulations do not apply to—

...

(e) plugs and socket outlets for domestic use;

So, we seem to be back to the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994, which Graham mentioned yesterday.

mapj1 said:

'special energy plug'

I see no reason why the German standard could not be adopted by UK law. However, if you have to get a sparks in to install the socket (assuming that you have a spare single gang socket, and that the terminals will accommodate 2 x 2.5 mm² of conductor) or even worse, a new circuit, it rather defeats the simplicity of plug-and-play.

I'd hope that fitting just one socket, either as DIY job, or getting someone in, would not be as disruptive as a full blown set of solar panels on the roof type installation, but cost  more like getting a new line put in for a new cooker position or something.

And we followed the VDE approach,  it would only be needed for those above the 800W (which in Germany is 800 +/- 20%, so 960W max) so those customers with more cash to lay out.

If we adopted this, it might we as well to let the plug and socket regs permit both these and  the caravan style blue sockets on domestic property as well.

I'd also like to hope we did not need the installer to go on some special  course just to do that, and then try and recoup the cost from the customers (MCS like)

Mike.

mapj1 said:

And we followed the VDE approach,  it would only be needed for those above the 800W (which in Germany is 800 +/- 20%, so 960W max) so those customers with more cash to lay out.

That would still leave us with the prohibition of the use of BS 1363 plugs.

However, there may be a loophole.

How about leaving the Schuko plug on? Use a conversion plug to BS 1363-5:2023.

1 Scope

...

Conversion plugs specified in this part of BS 1363 are intended for the connection of loads to socket-outlets; they are not intended for [my emphasis] the connection of electrical power generators to socket-outlets.

That is not exactly a prohibition, is it?

mapj1 said:

And we followed the VDE approach,  it would only be needed for those above the 800W (which in Germany is 800 +/- 20%, so 960W max) so those customers with more cash to lay out.

That would still leave us with the prohibition of the use of BS 1363 plugs.

However, there may be a loophole.

How about leaving the Schuko plug on? Use a conversion plug to BS 1363-5:2023.

1 Scope

...

Conversion plugs specified in this part of BS 1363 are intended for the connection of loads to socket-outlets; they are not intended for [my emphasis] the connection of electrical power generators to socket-outlets.

That is not exactly a prohibition, is it?