Plug in solar panels

[PerdioPal]

As they "go off" when there is no mains, what about two? Would one see the other and keep going? You would need to trip the main breaker to stop trying to supply the neighbourhood.
Still sounds dodgy to me, letting a computer not apply volts to bare pins.

[ppppenguin]

You can have multiple inverters in a conventional PV setup without any problems. Not really different to neighbours each having an inverter on the same phase of the public supply. There are a lot of grid-tied inverters in houses (over 1.5 million in the UK alone) and elsewhere. I've never seen any reports of problems.

Worth reading: https://blog.windurance.com/how-does-ant...nding-work

[PerdioPal]

I am not worried about "hard wired" PV systems it's the possibility of lots of volts on the plug from the panel. Also wondering, if there is a power cut could (can) a PV setup power the house if it is sunny enough? Can they switch automatically? Not that I am worried, I have only had one power cut in 34 years in this house and that was for four hours (!!) while they put in a smart meter. They were shuffling torches etc. I just fired up the Tilly lamp, light and warmth. A camping kettle boils surprisingly fast balanced on a Tilly lamp, at least we had tea.

[ppppenguin]

PV systems can be configured to power some or all of your house if there's a power failure. It's known as switching to island mode. Standard equipment is now available to do this. The most critical part is the automatic switch that guarantees that the inverter can be isolated from the incoming mains. As I noted earlier, there can be a problem with earthing and the wiring regs have been updated accordingly.

[Craig]

We have what is called a hybrid converter. It handles power flow to and from the grid, to and from the battery, and from solar. Think of it as a a multigang multiway switch.

1. If full sun, solar output charges the battery, excess powers the house, and excess beyond that goes back into the grid.
2. In the evening, or really no sun at all, the 9kVA battery powers the house. If the battery gets depleted, the house is powered from the grid.
3. From 0030 to 0530, at 8.5p/kWh the battery is charged, we delay run the dishwasher, and we charge the eV.
4. If there is a power failure, and it is not sunny, you're at the mercy of the battery. The only power hog in our house is the electric oven. But power cuts are only for a couple of hours max.

[thefish1000]

Apparently these things are not allowed to be plugged into a socket in the UK they have to go through a fused spur installed by a certified electrician .
Other wise illegal to operate .l

[CambridgeWorks]

News yesterday from Which:
Plug-in solar to become legal in the UK - Which? https://share.google/xXEvD2gr7VSHNa4AW

My worry is they will be built down to a price, shortcuts taken by owners who don't understand electrical safety and injuries or life lost due to fires or maybe even electrocution?

We must all have seen "BS standard" 13A plugs that have no fuse fitted and also the downright dangerous items imported from China.

On another note, would (say 800va) they start up a refrigeration compressor with say 8 or 10Amp momentary start current?
Especially if already partially loaded.

Rob

[ppppenguin]

Of course they won't start a fridge! They're designed to run only when connected to a live mains supply..

Let's hope we don't get the ones the German's won't have. They have a reputation for enforcing standards properly. Or at least they used to. There's loads of of plug-in solar in use in Germany, presumably plugged in with a standard Schuko plug.

[Radio Fixer]

Must look terribly unsightly hung haphazardly on blocks of flats like those satellite dishes and air conditioning units seen in hot European countries. Of course some may not be secured properly so another danger. Does anybody care?

Gary

[Mike Watterson]

No, they are not unsightly.