Plug in solar

[ebee]

It depends what the instructions or the rules say about the type of plug or its properties - lets wait and see then pick holes in it!

 

[denso13]

How about me using a 16amp industrial socket and plug on a 32amp radial as they have shrouds around the pins as that would be safer than 13 amp plug or would that not be allowed either .

It comes with a plug, for plugging in. If you want to do something else then all of the other regulations would need to be looked at for kit without plugs. If you are allowed to remove the plug, would/should you also be allowed to add a plug to inverters that don't have them?

I suspect the regs are tight because it is just being introduced and that they will change fairly soon, for example, adding battery storage.

 

[UKMICKY]

I know the requirements won’t require bidirectional RCDs to be installed but is installing one notifiable

 

[ericmark]

I know the requirements won’t require bidirectional RCDs to be installed but is installing one notifiable

If it is, then it would be due to Part P building control regulations, which you can read as easy as me, it's all online. I would offhand say no, it is not notifiable, unless it is in Wales and in the kitchen, and you say London, so will be the English Part P.

However, RCDs/RCBOs need testing, the torquing up of the terminal screws has been known to affect how they work, my tester was rather cheap at around £100, most cost more, so often cheaper to get it changed by a scheme member electrician than to DIY the job.

 

[ericmark]

UKSOL’s 460W single panel system – which comes with a 800W microinverter that allows the panel to start generating power – will sell for around £699. It also comes with a mounting kit and an app to monitor its performance.
The more powerful 890W system will sell for £999.

They must be joking, for me that means forget plug in solar.

 

[UKMICKY]

EcoFlow STREAM 800W Microinverter (Without PV Cable)
STREAM Microinverter + 2 x 500 W Rigid Solar £419

 

[denso13]

EcoFlow STREAM 800W Microinverter (Without PV Cable)
STREAM Microinverter + 2 x 500 W Rigid Solar £419

That isn't a plug in DIY system.

 

[ebee]

So it`s not looking portable and cheap but more like portable and expensive for a kick off.
Probably perceivable that some might still save though but it`s up to the individual to calculate before buying,
Some might still rush in without calculating though and look at the adverts thru rose tinted glasses.

So, if I am correct-ish, how will this effect popularity and are prices then likely to fall off thereby effecting price comparisons to the next wave of buyers.

Still a whole load of questions after we see the start date and thereby wait say up to 12 months to see how it settles and perhaps look again in more (say 5 years) time that.

In other words I still do not know, it might be worthwhile to some but not to many others - just a gut feeling.

 

[ericmark]

Still a whole load of questions after we see the start date and thereby wait say up to 12 months to see how it settles and perhaps look again in more (say 5 years) time that.

In 5 years time, the tariffs may have changed, that was why I was looking at plug in, as it stands I don't need more solar or batteries as they work together nicely. But if the off-peak goes up in price or the solar export payment goes down, then I would be looking for more battery, and some morning solar.

 

[ebee]

yes indeed Eric so another facet of the change of the numerics in the equation too so once the rules have reasonably settled some way then the initial cost of purchase and the costs of the tarrifs are two main items in actual quantity that may vary in the equation.

writing a short computer program for inputting all this info into say an app might even make you more money than any saving on solar one day.

 

[ericmark]

I look at the way solar varies minute by minute, and really it needs some form of storage, be this using the grid as a battery, using DHW as a battery, or having an electric battery, it needs something to smooth out peaks and troughs, I suppose 2 kW of panels and 800 watt inverter will smooth it out to some extent, but seems rather wasteful.

The G98 was clearly not designed for plug in solar, so that's the next hurdle, it needs some way for people to get paid for export, and as yet not seen a modified G98 for non installed solar systems, I know the G99 can be used with V2G EV points, so there must be a way?

 

[ebee]

The reason I mentioned a formula and perhaps an app or something is a slight mod on one of my modes of thinking after many years of being self employed.

In brief, one of my main inclinations would be - will it save me work/money/both and to what extent?
Simply put as a quick rule of thumb the first loose equation before trimming it is
If I spend £10 and it saves me £5 probably not worth it and therefore wasted.
If I spend £1000 and it saves me £1010 probaly is.
If I spend an amount and it saves me very approx that amount it might or might not be worth it.

Of course that might be skewed a bit by timescale being 12 months or 10 years or what tax relief and intrest skews it too.

This was usually just a thought in the had or the back of a fag packet kind of calculation initially and I might then follow the calculation and compare it with real life for a while.

Pretty much the same procedure as is plug in solar worthwhile to me really.

 

[denso13]

some way for people to get paid for export

so there must be a way?

There are, but not for DIY solar. It really isn't intended for that, for now at least.

 

[ericmark]

I do see @ebee point, but I wonder how one could work it out before buying?

So if we look at a battery pack with solar panels plugged into it not grid tied, what could we move to it to power, well most the battery packs will not supply 3 kW so moving the ring final to a battery pack is not really going to work.

But what about lights, freezers, and central heating? Power those from the battery pack which is charged from solar, and not only saving energy but also set up an emergency system, so essentials continue to run with a power cut. OK it would mean putting the lighting circuits on a plug and socket arrangement so you can select grid mains or battery, but all in all not a big job. Also in winter, you may need to set up a timer, to boost the battery when not enough solar, all depends on what is built into the battery pack, but big question is not if plug in solar is worth it, but would something like this

be more value for the money? This is the lower end with 300 watt output, and just 40 watt solar panels, but the sky is the limit, well really weight is the limit,

moving to 1.5 kW and 2 x 500 watt solar panels, 12.5 kg, against 3.6 kg, if within reasonable limits can also take it with you for a picnic.

OK my 5 kW grid tied will supply near everything in the house, but we are looking at solar on the cheap, and the new plug in option needs to be compared with the battery option without grid tie.

 

[denso13]

But what about lights, freezers, and central heating? Power those from the battery pack which is charged from solar, and not only saving energy but also set up an emergency system, so essentials continue to run with a power cut.

Then get it hard wired and professionally installed. This was always an option before now anyway.