Plug in solar

Delboy5 · 27-03-2026 04:16PM #1

https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/lidl-plug-in-solar-panels-b2945237.html

https://www.mylondon.news/news/cost-of-living/plug-solar-panels-how-work-33648134

"Until now, UK wiring regulations effectively banned them without an electrician’s sign-off, but the government’s intervention changes all that."

What Irelands policy with these ?

graememk · 27-03-2026 05:09PM

Currently not allowed under ESBN rules (without an NC6 form)

Delboy5 · 27-03-2026 05:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124345703#Comment_124345703

If an NC6 was already submitted as part of a rooftop solar array, would another then be needed if someone was then to add a plug in solar solution?

graememk · 27-03-2026 05:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124345736#Comment_124345736

Yes as its increasing the total power of the inverters..

Would they be able to tell? 🤷‍♂️

tom1ie · 27-03-2026 07:00PM

So what stops these plug in panels from feeding back onto the grid in the event the grid is switched out?

banie01 · 27-03-2026 07:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124345947#Comment_124345947

Microinverters sync to the grid, no grid frequency detected and the inverter shuts down.

graememk · 27-03-2026 07:33PM

It's also the same as the grid tie inverters, they need a grid voltage to operate, once it goes out of set values it shuts down (not just frequency, but voltage too)

It's like pushing someone on a swing. Except you can only push when they are already going.

CasNiRas · 29-03-2026 08:18PM

Has anyone emailed their TD about changing or updating the rules to allow plug-in solar installations?

One good thing about the current energy crisis is that it might lead to new rules, which would allow us to buy kits like the ones in the UK.

graememk · 29-03-2026 08:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124349707#Comment_124349707

Have you?

I'm already at my nc6 limit so no point me doing it

CasNiRas · 29-03-2026 08:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124349726#Comment_124349726

I might get around to it tomorrow if I have time. To be honest, I only became aware of plug-in solar power after reading the recent news from the UK.

I live in a flat with limited outdoor space, so it's not really an option for me. However, it would be more helpful for my girlfriend's house, which has a garden, especially as she is renting.

OldRio · 31-03-2026 09:02AM

It seems most of Europe are using this simple way to generate power. Very disappointing that we can't, especially with energy costs.

SD_DRACULA · 31-03-2026 03:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124352416#Comment_124352416

Who is going to stop you? Sure they won't pay for export but just use it all?

CasNiRas · 31-03-2026 03:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124353520#Comment_124353520

Could it potentially cause problems with home insurance if you needed to claim on it and they found out that you were using a system that wasn't approved by ESB?

OldRio · 31-03-2026 04:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124353520#Comment_124353520

That's exactly what I might do. Amazing to think that most of Europe is ploughing on with this and yet we do nothing.

CasNiRas · 31-03-2026 04:41PM

I finally got around to emailing the TDs in my constituency. I quickly received a reply from one of them, who said they would raise the issue of legalising plug-in solar, focusing on ensuring the rules are both safe and workable for ordinary people looking to reduce their energy bills.

If you have the time, perhaps others here could email their local TDs to raise the issue of legalising plug-in solar.

You can find a list of your constituency's TDs using this site.

https://www.contactyourtd.ie/

John_Rambo · 31-03-2026 04:44PM

Do you just plug these in to your three pin socket??

Or is this the stupidest question ever asked on boards.ie?

CasNiRas · 31-03-2026 05:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124353726#Comment_124353726

Essentially, you connect your solar panels to an inverter. The inverter then synchronises with the grid. This means that if the grid's frequency is not detected, no power will go through the inverter into the electricity supply in your house.

I forget exactly where the 800 watt limit comes from. I think it's just to avoid overloading the wiring in a typical house.

graememk · 31-03-2026 05:11PM

The 800w is what Germany decided, everyone else just followed suit.

And 800w micro inverter could possibly have 3-4 panels

ELM327 · 31-03-2026 05:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124353726#Comment_124353726

They are meant for schuko (ie european) sockets. In theory it should work on our 13a sockets but probably safer to use a 13A schuko to 16a CEE adapter and do it that way.

DC999 · 03-04-2026 07:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124353520#Comment_124353520

+1 to that. Running for 1.5 years on a small system with no NC6.

DayInTheBog · 04-04-2026 11:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124361311#Comment_124361311

Please do tell ,😁

DC999 · 06-04-2026 02:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124364403#Comment_124364403

MIcroinverter into a 3 pin plug. Solar panels into the microinverter.

Check the microinverter has anti islanding- meaning it needs AC power to run. So when the power is knocked off, it can't be on. So you or emergency workers don't get shocked unexpectedly.

If you get an energy monitoring smartplug, like a Tapo, you can see the power in the app on your phone. Costs10 quid.

Buy a 2nd hand solar on Adverts and you'll get it all for under 400 quid for 4+ panels. And buy the microinverters online which is included in the price above.

Vizzy · 06-04-2026 02:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124367334#Comment_124367334

If you already have solar and battery, how does this kind of set up work? I assume that it is a stand alone system that doesnt interact with the main solar?

If the plug in solar is supplying power, does the main solar just "recognise" that there is no load, or does the main solar take priority to supply background load( fridge,TV etc)?

DC999 · 06-04-2026 02:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124367352#Comment_124367352

Correct, it's a 2nd setup that doesn't interact with the main solar. It's 'dumb'. It generates and the house uses what is there or it goes to the grid when there is excess.

Main solar won't see the 'generation' so it looks like I've a lower house load when I look at my monthly stats. As in if I generate 100kWhs from the micorinverter, the house loads shows as 100kWh less - assuming I used it all of course.

Vizzy · 06-04-2026 02:49PM

Great !!.

I'm new to all this.

So, in theory, I can install 3 or 4 small(ish) panels with a micro inverter on each( or can they all be connected to one inverter). If they are generating, say, 600w and I am only using 400w, the excess goes back to the grid?. How does this effect ESBN, or will they even know that you are generating from a stand alone system?

Does it all need to be done by an electrician or is it DIYable?

Plug in solar

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