Plug in solar

[ericmark]

This seems very thorough:

Plug-in Solar Panels UK: Rules, Limits & Dates (2026)

Plug-in solar becomes legal on 27 August 2026: the 800W socket rule is law, but no kit is certified yet. The kits on sale are the wrong kits: the specification is PV-only with no storage, while every plug-in kit in UK shops today has a battery in it (EcoFlow STREAM Pro £799 to Ultra X £1,249...

solarenergyconcepts.co.uk

Seems set to confuse, a plug in battery system which can't back feed into the grid is legal, it may synchronize, so there is no loss of supply when it changes over, so is grid tied, but it can't feed into the grid system so is legal.

There are some which can back feed into the grid, using a BS 1363 plug and socket these are illegal at the moment, and no plans to make them legal, but when hard-wired they can also be used legally. Once the G98 or G99 has been submitted.

Using a different plug and socket to back feed into the grid using the V2G EV connectors is also legal, but not using a BS 1363 plug and socket.

 

[ericmark]

It seems they must not be fitted on wooden structures, so can't be put on wooden fences, sheds, or balconies. Also limits on how far out they can protrude, article here seems odd to use a discontinued measurement (cm) so maybe it is Cat Ellis's thoughts of what should be allowed.

Maybe I am being cynical, but it seems government wants to say look we are supporting the green movement, but in real terms don't want people to use plug-in solar?

As on the 27th August we can have two plug in systems, one with a BS 1363 plug for the solar panels, and one with a V2G EV plug for the portable battery (EV car) but we can't integrate the two, have I got this right?

 

[denso13]

so maybe it is Cat Ellis's thoughts of what should be allowed.

Probably, I'd wait until the units and installation instruction actually get the necessary approvals and see what they say.

 

[denso13]

but we can't integrate the two, have I got this right?

Not sure what you mean by integrated, but you could have both working subject to the G98 being completed.

 

[ericmark]

Not sure what you mean by integrated, but you could have both working subject to the G98 being completed.

It would need a G99 as the V2G EV connects a battery which is typically too big for G98.

But it seems people with an EV, realise solar can reduce their bills due to being able to be used in house. I only get 12p/kWh for export, and my off-peak is cheaper than my export rate, so pays to fully charge batteries overnight, but still looking at August 277.3 kW hours exported, so £33.28 for export, but if using in house, I would double that as savings.

So a night worker with a V2G EV would gain a lot from solar. But how to get the EV charger to follow the solar inverter is a problem with the system being allowed with plug in solar.

 

[denso13]

It would need a G99

Then do that. There are always "what if" scenarios with everything, but for the vast majority of people it won't even need to be a consideration.

 

[morqthana]

It seems they must not be fitted on wooden structures, so can't be put on wooden fences, sheds, or balconies.

How many people have roofs which are not wooden structures?