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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?

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  • The units proposed are safe, in the fact that they need mains to work. So if you pull the plug you don't have live pins in your hand, and similarly if you have a mains outage, you cannot feed back into the mains to give some guy working on the circuit a shock. I am going to install one of these units, but have questions, particularly for the IET, as they may have had an input with government discussions. As a DIY person will be able to plug these in, there will have been no qualified person involved, so :- You will still need to fill out a G98 as you are connecting to the network. The present G98 needs qualification details from the Electrician installing it. Will this form be changed to allow an unqualified person to apply. 

    Once you get the form at apply for a  DNO, will you be able to apply for export payment. Presently not allowed unless installed by a MCS certified Electrician, but of course it won't be. The rules say you can't export without these forms, but once plugged in, you will export on a nice day. My base load is only around 350w, and I fully expect to get 750w from my proposed set up. Can anyone in the know, let me know what the new proposals are going to be. Thanks

  • in reply to Ken Fletcher

    I get the impression that the government wants to sweep away the bureaucracy for balcony solar up to 800W. No forms to fill in, but no export payments either.

    If the government consulted the IET, then balcony solar would never happen. The requirements would be so onerous that nobody would bother. So long as the kit comes with a 13A plug, it can sidestep the Wiring Regulations entirely.

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  • in reply to Ken Fletcher

    I get the impression that the government wants to sweep away the bureaucracy for balcony solar up to 800W. No forms to fill in, but no export payments either.

    If the government consulted the IET, then balcony solar would never happen. The requirements would be so onerous that nobody would bother. So long as the kit comes with a 13A plug, it can sidestep the Wiring Regulations entirely.

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