It can be interesting what you discover!

[westie101]

Whilst investigating a query from a house that has solar panels relating to the voltage I came across some interesting facts in an ENA document.

The document is the Electricity Network Association recommendation
(GS 83 Recommendations for the Connection of Type Tested Small Scale (Up to 16A per Phase) in Parallel with Low-Voltage distribution Systems)
that all the DNOs follow.

It brings to light some points

1/ There is no need for people installing equipment to be approved to do so or to notify the DNO which must be done within 28 days of connection.
(though wiring between the DNO connection point and the output of the equipment needs to comply with BS7671)

2/ The declared voltage of 230V +10/-6 % only needs to be at that level at the DNO terminals, once on the premises it can go as high as 262.2V which is the first level that, say, an inverter has to trip.

(obviously it will always need to be higher than the network voltage to export power to that network)

3/ Rating is to be measure in amps with the maximum being 16A which equates to 3.68kW at 230V

 

[JohnW2]

1/ There is no need for people installing equipment to be approved to do so or to notify the DNO which must be done within 28 days of connection.

I don't quite understand that sentence - has it lost something in transcription?

Kind Regards, John

 

[westie101]

I don't quite understand that sentence - has it lost something in transcription?

It is often commented on in this site that fitting Solar or other generation must only be done by an approved person, as for no other reason the DNOs will not accept notification from, say, an unapproved DIYer

There is no requirement for this, a DIYer is allowed to install a solar system subject to safely installing the 230V wiring

 

[plugwash]

I expect people are getting confused with the fact that feed-in tarrifs require professional installation.

 

[Taylortwocities]

It is often commented on in this site that fitting Solar or other generation must only be done by an approved person, as for no other reason the DNOs will not accept notification from, say, an unapproved DIYer

I think it is because the installer must be a member of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
MCS is an eligibility requirement for the Government's financial incentives, which include the Feed-in Tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive.

So no MCS, no FIT!

 

[westie101]

That seems to make a perverse sense.

Though a lot of installations are far from professional looking with zero after service of knowledge regarding standards

 

[JohnW2]

I don't quite understand that sentence - has it lost something in transcription?

It is often commented on in this site that fitting Solar or other generation must only be done by an approved person, as for no other reason the DNOs will not accept notification from, say, an unapproved DIYer ... There is no requirement for this, a DIYer is allowed to install a solar system subject to safely installing the 230V wiring

I don't think the usual suggestion is anything to do with the DNO accepting (or not) the notification - but, rather, that if it's not done by an 'approved person', there will be no FIT forthcoming!

However, that's nothing to do with my difficulty in understanding your sentence. In an attempt to explain my problem, please just read the bits I've highlighted in red:

1/ There is no need for people installing equipment to be approved to do so or to notify the DNO which must be done within 28 days of connection.

.. so what's the situation - do they "not need to notify the DNO", or do they need to notify the DNO within 28 days of connection?

Kind Regards, John

 

[westie101]

They do not specifically need to be authorised to fit it!

They do not specifically need to be authorised to notify the DNO

The notification to the DNO must be made within 28 days of installing the equipment.

 

[JohnW2]

They do not specifically need to be authorised to fit it! ... They do not specifically need to be authorised to notify the DNO ... The notification to the DNO must be made within 28 days of installing the equipment.

Thanks - that's much clearer

However, none of that alters the fact that if they are not 'authorised', there will be no FIT!

Kind Regards, John

 

[westie101]

That is purely financial agreement between the Suppliers and the installation industry.

 

[JohnW2]

That is purely financial agreement between the Suppliers and the installation industry.

Indeed it is - but it's nearly always the reason (rather than anything to do with DNOs) why people say that installation should/must be undertaken by 'approved' contractors - since "people want their FITs"

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

However, that's nothing to do with my difficulty in understanding your sentence. In an attempt to explain my problem, please just read the bits I've highlighted in red:

1/ There is no need for people installing equipment to be approved to do so or to notify the DNO which must be done within 28 days of connection.

.. so what's the situation - do they "not need to notify the DNO", or do they need to notify the DNO within 28 days of connection?

I too struggled with that - it was not evident that what it meant was that there is no need for the people installing the equipment or notifying the DNO (which must be done within 28 days) to be approved.

 

[JohnW2]

I too struggled with that - it was not evident that what it meant was that there is no need for the people installing the equipment or notifying the DNO (which must be done within 28 days) to be approved.

Quite so. I'm glad it was not just me!

It reminds me of some of the worst (ambiguous) sentences we were expected to do 'clause analysis' of in the name of O-Level English Language!

Kind Regards, John

 

[mfarrow]

Westie

Being a Recommendations document, how do the Needs you mentioned come into this? Is it up to the DNOs to specify whether they adopt the Recommendations as Requirements then? In that case can the DNO add additional T&Cs into their connections clauses? Or are you obliged to follow only the ENA literature as a fully fledged member?

 

[333rocky333]

Quite so. I'm glad it was not just me!

Me three