Responding to the roll out of plug-in solar panels

Plug-in solar panels became legal to use and buy across the country today. Responding to the roll out, Luke Osborne, Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, said: 

“Plug-in solar panels send electricity in the opposite direction in your property’s wiring. Whilst many modern homes may be able to enjoy this technology safely, we still have concerns plug-in solar panels may damage older devices in people’s homes which protect people from electric shock, known as RCDs. Because of this, it is our view that not every home will currently be suitable for plug-in solar. We urge households to ensure they have an RCD suitable for this technology and to consult a competent electrician if they are unsure if they have the right protections in place in their home.” 

The charity’s five points on households reducing their risk are:

1. Not every home is currently suitable for plug-in solar
Given unresolved concerns about the potential impact of plug-in solar panels on certain RCDs, we recommend households have at least a Type A bidirectional RCD protecting circuits intended for use with plug-in solar panels. Until these concerns are addressed, homes with Type AC RCDs should not use plug-in solar systems without first upgrading to a minimum Type A bidirectional RCD on those circuits.

2. Have your electrics checked before you buy
Don’t assume ‘plug-in’ means it’s suitable for every home. Electrical Safety First recommends that households have their electrical installation assessed by a competent electrician registered with a competent persons scheme before purchasing or using a plug-in solar system, particularly in older properties or where the condition of the electrical installation and type of protective devices is unknown.

3. Never connect plug-in solar through extension leads or adapters
Plug-in solar systems should not be connected via extension leads, cable reels, multiway adaptors, travel adaptors or plug-in RCD adaptors. These accessories can overheat, become overloaded and create additional safety risks.

4. Buy from reputable retailers and avoid third-party sellers via online marketplaces
Given the size of these devices, it is likely many shoppers will seek to purchase them online. We urge shoppers to stick to reputable high street retailers and their online websites to ensure the device they are buying is safe and meets the new interim product specification. We advise households to avoid buying these devices from third-party sellers on online marketplaces, no matter how appealing this may be, as these platforms are currently not legally responsible for the safety of goods sold via their sites, exposing people to substandard versions that may put you and your home at risk. 

5. One home, one device
Only one plug-in solar panel system is permitted per household. Installing multiple units could reduce the effectiveness of protective devices. 

A newly published guide to households on reducing their risk when considering plug-in solar can be found in full on the charity’s website here.

electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

ECA statement

Gary Parker, Deputy Director of Technical at ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association), said:

“We welcome Electrical Safety First’s timely and constructive statement published today, which rightly puts consumer safety at the heart of the growing plug-in solar market.

“Plug-in solar has the potential to help more households engage positively with low-carbon energy, but it is important that consumers understand these systems are not suitable for every home. Getting an installation assessed by a competent electrician before buying, avoiding unsafe connections through extension leads or adapters, and purchasing only from reputable retailers are sensible steps that will support safe and confident uptake.

“As this market develops, clear guidance and competent advice will be key to helping consumers benefit from these products safely and with confidence.”

eca.co.uk