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

I saw that and smiled,  I suspect that the next obvious developments  will be a way to also permit plug-in battery storage  (that example is an 800W  (1600 W.hr so 2hrs at full load ) battery unit offered in Belgium).
Then perhaps a bit of maximum power creep upwards towards a kW or 2, as it makes the solar thing far more effective, and can be used to reduce import and export so things are more self contained and keep the grid is less stressed.

What I see (again), is regulation getting in the way, until there is a pinch point, and then getting out of the way again very fast.

Mike

PS 

Edit - what I mean by fast here is 'fast for a government department' .

The contract to perform a a study into this was awarded in October to Arceio in Milton Keynes,

As far as I can see the dept has made its decision and is issuing its conclusions before the report has been delivered and published !! 

see https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W43/856948999 for some contract info.

Note that above the trivial limit of 800 W is 'tolerated' on the Schuko connector by the VDE - the German standards body.

Apparently a polarized touch proof connector such as the Weiland RST series is much preferred, and mandated above 800W.

Chris Pearson said:

The government will work with the Energy Networks Association, DNOs and Ofgem to update the G98 distribution code and wiring regulations BS 7671 to allow UK households to connect <800W plug-in solar panels to domestic mains sockets, without the need for an electrician and with tailored safety standards."

There's a bit more to do than that .... including Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations mandating BS 1363 ....

BS 1363 has contained the highlighted statement since 2007.

mapj1 said:

that example is an 800W  (1600 W.hr so 2hrs at full load ) battery unit offered in Belgium

€1750. Suppose that you charge it up during the day and use it all up in the evening, that would save about 40p per day = £150/year, so quite a long pay-back period.

gkenyon said:

There's a bit more to do than that .... including Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations mandating BS 1363 ....

Amending secondary legislation shouldn't be a problem, but it does demonstrate that ministers have not been well-briefed.

If this is really a good idea, and necessary for some people, I also agree standards shouldn't be used to stifle or bar innovation ...

long pay-back period.

yes I agree - the economics of bigger systems are far more satisfactory., and should be encouraged. 
I'm not sure with that one if you can unplug it and use it stand-alone for camping as well - the data sheet is a bit vague, and they don't seem to have stock available for another 6 months but want a deposit now, . so I'd avoid that exact model, except as an example of a possible future until they have actually been on sale for a while ;-) 

these actually exist and are bigger and also do up to 800W back feeding. https://www.ecowizard.co.uk/battery-storage/ecoflow-stream-ultra-x/ 

note when stand alone the inverter is 2300W but the grid back-feed is limited to 800W 

regards Mike.

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1698557-outdoor-ip55-power-enclosure-with-4-gang-13a-socket-strip

I have an image in my head of a plastic box on a house wall with a multi gang socket strip supplied from an existing socket outlet and a EV granny charger plugged into the socket strip along with one or more balcony PV sets.

well, someone is bound to try it - and I'm not sure that it will be anymore dangerous than plugging in a flymo and using it, it is just that we are used to a very safe electrical approach, and rowing back on that is uncomfortable. I suggest its not much more risky than EV charging from PME, or many other things we do not worry about.
Mike.

edited for typo that reversed the meaning of the last sentence  . Apologies for any confusion caused.

Presumably it will be a simple amendment: ".... unless the generator is compliant with [insert the, yet to be determined, reference to relevant product standard]"

BS7671 would also benefit from considering and referencing more robust connection arrangements, such as the German use of the shrouded and locking Wieland RST connectors, or something equivalent.

I recalled a website on historical electrical accessories featured an MK BS1363 plug which had sprung shrouds, albeit only over part of the pins to prevent inadvertent contact, I wonder if something similar could be achieved which would shroud the whole pin, though it would also need insulation at the end of the pin for a plug-in-solar type application. 

flameport.com/.../ivory_mk_plug_sprung_sleeves.cs4

mapj1 said:

I suggest its more risky than EV charging from PME, or many things we do worry about.

Is or is not? Slip of the pen/fat thumbs?

If these things only work when plugged into the grid, and the grid supply is PME, how could the risk be reduced?

What could work quite nicely is charging an EV on DC direct from the 'balcony' panels.