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UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

theguardian.com

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Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#51

Post by linsomniac »

syntaxing wrote: post #47
linsomniac wrote: post #20

As I understand it, the US is mostly waiting for UL listing of equipment, which hasn't been a priority because no US locals have allowed them. With Utah and others starting to allow them, UL listing will likely come at some point (hopefully shortly) thereafter. There's this device: https://usa.apsystems.com/ez1-installers/ And also this: https://connectder.com/

Hoymiles just got UL3700 approved this week and sold by Bright Savers

Looks like that system uses the "AP Systems EZ1" microinverter I mentioned above. Their "latest news" page lists UL 3700 with a date of about a week ago, so it looks like they've gotten it.

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#52

Post by iam-TJ »

It's important to also know that the U.K. has recently mandated that all new build residential buildings (houses and apartment buildings) must have some form of on-site renewable electricity generation system (typically expected to be solar) from 2027.

This requirement was added to the "Future Homes and Builds Standards" early in 2026 [0] and the regulation is described in section 7.1(b) [1] of the regulations that says "On-site electricity generation systems must be commissioned to ensure that they produce as much electricity as is reasonable in the circumstances".

"reasonable" here means 'considering roof-space' or 'yard space' and could be implemented using solar, wind, or possibly water (if you live in a former water-mill!).

[0] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-homes-...

[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69c122a6cfa34...

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#54

Post by gandalfian »

DamonHD wrote: post #35
gandalfian wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Uk, If an old (rare) mechanical meter the meter will go backwards, the ideal. If a dumb digital meter the meter will simply pause counting up. If a smartmeter again the import reading will pause but a separate export reading will count up, for which you get no credit or debit but its nice to know. Ideally as battery prices drop you end up buying a battery that soaks up any surplus for later and so you don't lose a…

In the UK as a consumer you can (always AFAIK) get a smart meter for free, and your retail supplier is required to offer you a non-zero rate (the "Smart Export Guarantee") for what you export back to the grid. That can be as high as about half the rate to import.

To get paid for export you will nearly always need an MCS number to show it was installed by accredited professionals. Doing it yourself, or by your local electrician or plug in solar is not something they accept. It's a bit of a racket, but in practice pay up for the professional install or no export payments.

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#55

Post by rcxdude »

crote wrote: post #49
RobinL wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see it more as a way for relatively well off people to do a little bit for the environment rather than any sort of solution of high energy prices for the poor. The nice thing, of course, is that the more people buy them, the cheaper electricity is for everyone else, so you're doing everyone else a small favour by having one. I'll certainly be buying one, not because of the ROI/payback calculation, but just because…

Why would well-off people not go for rooftop solar?

rooftop solar installation costs are a bit higher, it's not as good a return though it does scale a bit better.

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#56

Post by m463 »

hasbot wrote: post #50
Someone1234 wrote: post #36

I've looked into this extensively in the US, and there are three headaches from my POV: 1. Most states require special device certification by a "nationally recognized authority" that doesn't seem to fully exist yet. There ARE devices that would almost certainly GET certified, but aren't yet . 2. Ordering panels is a PITA. Most want to sell you either RV/Camping grade (overpriced), or in too large of quantities (e.g.…

I think point 2 will change once this becomes common. Once there is demand Home Depot etc are the perfect place to sell individual medium sized panels. Hopefully it won't take 10 years for this to become easy.

Does the UK have Home Depot? maybe Castle Depot? Lorry Supply?

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#57

Post by jerlam »

rcxdude wrote: post #55
crote wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would well-off people not go for rooftop solar?

rooftop solar installation costs are a bit higher, it's not as good a return though it does scale a bit better.

Rooftop is also not an option for condos or apartments.

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#58

Post by tialaramex »

m463 wrote: post #56
hasbot wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think point 2 will change once this becomes common. Once there is demand Home Depot etc are the perfect place to sell individual medium sized panels. Hopefully it won't take 10 years for this to become easy.

Does the UK have Home Depot? maybe Castle Depot? Lorry Supply?

The UK has quite a few kinds of "Do It Yourself" stores, from somewhere like B&Q that is catering primarily for consumers through to a Screwfix who are more trade focused but still open to the public.

This particular niche is one where the UK did a lot of the US-style "Business is just a large metal shed, surround it with car parking, build it miles from anywhere" whereas for a lot of other shops the UK doesn't do that, preferring to put them together in walkable parts of a city or town instead. DIY stores are just especially suited to huge metal sheds in a way that furniture stores or grocery stores are not (those do both exist in the form of giant metal sheds in the UK but it's less common) - and their customers typically drive.

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#59

Post by tialaramex »

rcxdude wrote: post #41
varispeed wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you explain why it is "pretty obvious investment"?

What else can you put your money into that will give you 25% a year?

Technically it doesn't give you 25% per year, but I'd argue what it does is - for this purpose - better. You get free electricity which is estimated to be worth 25% per year.

If the Buffoon manages to blow up fossil fuel prices to the same degree Putin did, your payback time might shrink to 12 months instead.

Re: UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August

#60

Post by lores »

rcxdude wrote: post #41
varispeed wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you explain why it is "pretty obvious investment"?

What else can you put your money into that will give you 25% a year?

It doesn't give you 25% a year, because you don't have your investment anymore (or most of it, if there is a second-hand market.) After the first year you'd have a -75% return, after the 5th you'd be at an effective annual 4.5%, after the 10th at an effective 9.5%.

It goes up from there, but it takes a while to become an investment better than alternatives. Inverters start failing after 10 years, too, and they're half the cost of a $400 setup, I believe.

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