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

mapj1

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?

Parents

  • but one per household is my preference, at least for now, given that the product standard is interim. Keep it simple.

    I'd agree with that. The suggested "Information to be provided for identifying circuits" is long winded for consumers and still flawed (one MCB can supply a 2nd CU - making several final circuits appear to be one according to their methodology) - plus there's a risk of exceeding the 16A/phase limit of G98 if 5 or more could be connected. (I'm not clear what registration is envisaged, but I might bet it won't be done in a significant number of cases). Much simpler just to say only one per installation and design-out a whole raft of potential problems.

       - Andy.

  • in reply to AJJewsbury

    well, they have summarised the responses and published 

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58dd1e24d4d0ad06d945e1/plug-in-solar-government-response-july-2026.pdf

    and an interesting read it is. 

    Notably the number of individuals responding.

    "Government response
    Having considered the evidence and consultation responses, the government intends to proceed
    with the proposed PSSR amendments and the IPS, with targeted refinements to the specification
    in response to issues raised during the consultation.
    The final IPS will include strengthened requirements to support safe consumer use, including
    clearer information on product scope, installation, circuit identification, mounting, Engineering
    Recommendation G98 notification requirements, prohibited uses, and circumstances where
    professional advice should be sought.
    Additionally, the department will work with stakeholders to ensure that clear and easy to
    understand consumer guidance is available ahead of the regulations coming into force. This will
    support consumers, retailers, manufacturers and online marketplaces to understand the
    requirements and support the safe use of compliant plug-in solar devices"

    So unsurprisingly, with a few tweaks, to appease the big objectors, its going ahead.  Now all we need is the legislation to go though parliament. 

    They are indicating it will be laid as fast as possible., so, maybe by Christmas ? 

    Mike.

  • in reply to mapj1

    I spoke, well typed, too soon

    now on the legislation web-site..  

    https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/848/made

    "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and

    Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002

    (Amendment) Regulations 2026"

    So that is the 

    PSSR

    and ECSQR

    both changing before our very eyes, & likely to be in law by August unless objections are raised.

    Mike.

  • in reply to mapj1
    mapj1 said:

    So that is the 

    PSSR

    and ECSQR

    both changing before our very eyes, & likely to be in law by August unless objections are raised.

    Chris Pearson said:
    I agree that it is a very short consultation period, but the amendment to PSSR could be achieved in 40 days or less, potentially even before the parliamentary recess, which begins in about 3 weeks from now.

    Gosh, my crystal ball was working well! :-)

    So, I if understand it correctly, the plugs will not be BS 1363 plugs because they cannot fully conform to the BS, but they will look just like them. Crafty!

  • in reply to Chris Pearson

    Indeed  - I'm grudgingly impressed - I still think they could have been a bit more general and allowed other styles of  connectors too - if we expect folk to fit things that connect to 13A plugs, and panel side  DC plugs, and the final new standard seems to do that, then adding the option of an alternative  better socket as well would not have hurt. 

    In slower time the dcode G98 needs to catch up now, or no-one will actually notify self-installs, much like they already don't.  ;-) 

    I await a similar flurry with plug-in battery packs next. 

    Mike.

    They did go with one per socket circuit

  • in reply to mapj1
    mapj1 said:
    They did go with one per socket circuit

    Yes and no.

    In section 1 of the Product spec:

    "... Only one plug-in solar product shall be used per household final ring circuit to ensure the currents flowing through the electrical connection to the consumer unit remain within safe levels.

    NOTE: While this specification permits one device per final circuit, GB network connection requirements also apply. As of publication, current network requirements Engineering Recommendation G98 Issue 2 Amendment 1 2026 restrict this to one device per household, which applies unless and until that is amended."

    I am not sure that the latter paragraph is correct.

    EREC G98:

    "2.3 There are two connection procedures described in this document. The first connection procedure covers the connection of a single Micro-generating Plant. A Micro-generating Plant is a single electrical installation that contains one or more Micro-generators, either single or multi-phase, the aggregate Registered Capacity of which is no greater than 16 A per phase2.

    2.11 For the avoidance of doubt where a Customer’s Installation comprises a single Connection Point and more than one Inverter, which have an aggregate Registered Capacity of less than or equal to 16 A per phase, single or multi- phase, 230/400 V AC; the installation shall be considered as a single Micro-generating Plant."

    So, if you have enough circuits (and balconies), it would appear that 4 devices could be plugged in.

Reply
  • in reply to mapj1
    mapj1 said:
    They did go with one per socket circuit

    Yes and no.

    In section 1 of the Product spec:

    "... Only one plug-in solar product shall be used per household final ring circuit to ensure the currents flowing through the electrical connection to the consumer unit remain within safe levels.

    NOTE: While this specification permits one device per final circuit, GB network connection requirements also apply. As of publication, current network requirements Engineering Recommendation G98 Issue 2 Amendment 1 2026 restrict this to one device per household, which applies unless and until that is amended."

    I am not sure that the latter paragraph is correct.

    EREC G98:

    "2.3 There are two connection procedures described in this document. The first connection procedure covers the connection of a single Micro-generating Plant. A Micro-generating Plant is a single electrical installation that contains one or more Micro-generators, either single or multi-phase, the aggregate Registered Capacity of which is no greater than 16 A per phase2.

    2.11 For the avoidance of doubt where a Customer’s Installation comprises a single Connection Point and more than one Inverter, which have an aggregate Registered Capacity of less than or equal to 16 A per phase, single or multi- phase, 230/400 V AC; the installation shall be considered as a single Micro-generating Plant."

    So, if you have enough circuits (and balconies), it would appear that 4 devices could be plugged in.

Children
  • in reply to Chris Pearson

    I wondered about that and went to the trouble of downloading the latest G98, and could not find any such restriction, so I'm glad its not just me.

    and the previous version looks very similar i that regard.

    M

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