Guidance for plug in solar for Electricians

We are now a few days from plug in solar being legal. The likes of Martin Lewis is recommending people should ask an electrician to check their installation before plugging a solar system in.

I have seen various comments referring back to changes in the law and changes to the specification for a 13A plug.

But I haven't seen any guidance from IET, NAPIT or NICEIC for electricians stating under what conditions it's acceptable to plug one of these systems in.

Personally as it stands today based on what I have seen I would not be willing to say iny installation is acceptable unless it was a single socket on it's own circuit protected by a bidirectional type A RCBO. Which I am sure isn't what the government wants.

Have I missed something, is something in the pipline?

I know lots of people will just do it, but in those situations I am not responsible.

Parents Reply
  • Well spotted Mike

    The Competent Person's schemes only register "Enterprises", not individual electricians. A Logo on a van, fleece or t-shirt is not evidence of competency, only that your employer has paid a fee. 

    Also they fail to mention engineers who may be an alternative to an electrician. 

    If you want to find a competent electrician go to the JIB web site and look for an Approved Electrician. 

    JP

Children
  • The Competent Person's schemes only register "Enterprises",  

    ...
    If you want to find a competent electrician..

    Indeed, the man on the doorstep with the screwdriver and box of tools may be superb, or a total 'cowboy' , but I fear it was ever thus.

    There are some things to look out for like the horse droppings on the front lawn, the patterned leather boots and Stetson hat, but absence of  these is not a fully reliable indicator. Oddly I was thinking something like this last night enjoying a beer watching an old Porter Wagoner interview on a tribute to Dolly Parton programme on the telly. 

    Which begs the question where I should go to find a competent electrical and electronics engineer.... 

    Joking aside, it will be interesting to see what if anything other organisations recommend in due course.
    Very few devices seem to  have gained ENA approval to be plugged in, compared to the vast range on sale,  far more applicants seem to be failing, but its not clear on what parameter(s).

    I may hold off on buying something to play with home  until the dust settles and manufacturers learn what to make.
    M.