Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Survey on Plug-in solar

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has left a very short window (!) to reply to their consultation/survey on-line.

Rather than extend our already multiple tangled technical threads on the topic and lose responses in between other matters

here is a new thread specifically about the product standard  

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a31167d15f2a70fac7e6026/plug-in-solar-interim-product-specification.pdf

and the actual consultation

https://energygovuk.citizenspace.com/energy-security/plug-in-solar/

The topics of interest in the survey are divided into sections.

Consultation questions

A. PSSR Amendments

1. Do you agree with the proposed approach of amending the PSSR to allow plug-in solar to connect via a BS 1363 plug as a transitional measure pending any future changes to BS 1363?

2. In your view, is the proposed approach sufficiently clear that this update would only apply to plug-in solar products which meet the Interim Product Specification? If not, please set out any potential amendments that could provide further clarity.

3. In your view, does allowing connection via a standard plug raise any specific safety concerns that are not addressed by the Interim Product Specification? If yes, please outline the potential concern(s).

4. Are you aware of risks that this update could be misinterpreted or misused (e.g. applied to other types of equipment)? If yes, please set out the potential risk(s) and how they might be mitigated.

5. Do you consider the proposed approach clear and enforceable for manufacturers, retailers, and regulators?

B. Interim Product Specification

1. Do you agree with the proposal to require manufacturer compliance with an interim product specification before a plug-in solar product can be placed on the market?

2. Do you agree with the proposal to use the same broad approach as the German standard (DIN VDE 0126-95) as a baseline, with amendments for the UK context, to support future international harmonisation?

3. Are the engineering controls in the interim product specification proportionate to the risks in deploying plug-in solar in the UK? If not, please outline anything that is missing or over-specified.

4. Does the Interim Product Specification address all the points in the safety study commissioned by DESNZ? Please refer to the safety study results published alongside this consultation.

5. Are there elements of existing technical standards quoted in the Interim Product Specification that are unsuitable for the UK context or not applicable to plug-in solar products? If yes, please set out any potential modifications.

6. The electrical safety study showed plug-in solar was safe at a circuit level. Should the Interim Product Specification limit the number of microinverters to one per household or one per household circuit?

7. What risks or unintended consequences, if any, should be considered in implementing the Interim Specification?

   C. Consumer Protection and Market Issues

   This section seeks to identify how else the government can support robust consumer protections.

8. What information should be provided to consumers at the point of sale and prior to installation, including on safety, suitability of existing electrical circuits and protective devices, suitability of dwellings, and limitations of the product?

9. Are there risks of misuse, misunderstanding, or unsafe adaptation that should be mitigated? If yes, please set out the settings in which these risks would be most relevant e.g. types of dwellings.
   
   

   D. Implementation and Timing

   1. Is the proposed timeline for introducing the Interim Product Specification feasible? If not, why not?

   2. What support or guidance would help ensure timely and effective implementation of the Interim Product Specification?

   E. General

   1. Are there any additional comments or evidence you would like to provide to inform the development of this framework?