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?

 

[ericmark]

How many people have roofs which are not wooden structures?

I agree, which is why I think they want to give with one hand and take back with the other, and plug in solar is just a paper exercise to say look how green we are.

 

[denso13]

How many people have roofs which are not wooden structures?

It seems none of the latest proposals/amendments mention the word "structures", roofs themselves aren't mentioned. It basically covers timber cladding.

 

[ericmark]

It seems none of the latest proposals/amendments mention the word "structures", roofs themselves aren't mentioned. It basically covers timber cladding.

I still wonder if the report is linked to the actual government paper, or if it is what that reported thinks should happen? But only 10 days left to wait.

 

[denso13]

I still wonder if the report is linked to the actual government paper, or if it is what that reported thinks should happen?

It is linked to the permitted development amendments, which is turn is linked to the Interim Product Specification. The report isn't quite clear enough but gets the gist of it right.

But only 10 days left to wait.

The law and interim product changes have already been published, they are there already and will go live on the 27th.

All we haven't seen are approved products which will include the installation instructions.

 

[Collectors]

I have the same situation with a large garage roof & i have fitted 6 panels, 1x800 with 2 inputs & one 1800 with 4 inputs. I also fitted 2x30a isolators wired to 2x16a lewden sockets & plugs. I was lucky in that the garage fuse board had 2 spare ways & fitted a 10A & 16A bi-directional rcbo's. Now this is possibly a bit illegal but i have also purchased a Hoymiles wifi controller & a Hoymiles DDSU666 Smart Energy CT Meter where you can control the amount of export to x amount of kw & down to zero if you wish. Then the unit knows how much is needed & how much is being produced & cuts out the export when it reaches the programed setting.
Considering my panels are at about 5deg flat & south facing i regally, on a good sunny day get 18-20kw, which i'm happy with on that set up.
With yourself it might be worth getting an electrician in to change the garage fuse board & fit an extra 2 plugs that you can plug your solar into. Material would only be under £200.00

 

[ericmark]

I personally think my best next step is more likely to increase battery size, as already the off-peak has become more expensive, and the export has gone down too, as it stands still more for export to what I pay for off-peak, but if this trend continues, then I would need to alter how I control the inverter, and likely move away from a split tariff.

Much is decided by what the inverter can be programmed to do, more modern inverters may be able to do more.

Gary does solar was talking about the changes likely on his channel, and this is where plug in solar may in the future help me, until the off-peak and the export get nearer to equal the gain from plug in is not that great, but once not using off-peak, then early morning generation would help.

 

[SUNRAY]

I was talking to a friend today and knowing his interest and investment in solar started talking about that. He is now 'off grid' in the middle of a housing estate... but... he has contingency back-up and a private metered 32A supply from his neighbour and heats neighbours DHW immersion heater.

However he has spent a lot of money on PV and batteries and reckons he'll never break even