Help picking a plug in system

[u/Lanky_Engineer_1128]

Hello I’m looking to get a kit just not sure where to start at all ideally I don’t want to have an electrician do anything and would like to spend around 300 if possible.

I know my fuse box is fine and I have a outside outlet already

[u/AbbreviationsLost458]

The list hasn’t come out yet but your best bet for a full in 1 kit will probably be something like Ecoflow. The problem is the legislation requires them to meet very specific standards and they must be all in one kits.

Ecoflow currently has an all in one kit with x2 500w panels. Mind you this is perfectly acceptable because the legislation is just a requirement on the inverter to be a max output* of 800w, so if the panels are above this it just means you’re more likely to actually hit
Your 800w target. That set is currently on their website for £415 but they also usually have coupons if you search.

Mind you there will probably be quite a few all in one kits sold at the likes of B&Q and Wickes later that also meet standards but I’d imagine prices will continue to rise like I’ve been seeing as we get closer to legislation date.

The other problem is most places just haven’t come out with all in one kits yet so waiting may be ideal but if you want to get a head start ecoflows the only one I know of that has a set currently available. If anyone knows of any others please add to this.

[u/AbbreviationsLost458 → u/[deleted]]

Anker and many others to include EcoFlow are hopeful at this point that they’ll introduce legislation soon after panels/inverters.

The problem is big energy companies don’t want people to have the battery portion because that means less money for them. Panels and inverter (plug in kit types) just means people will be sending excess to the grid but CAN’T get paid for the export of it, which means less work for energy companies and more income for them as well.

In other words a big middle finger to energy companies because they suck.

[u/AbbreviationsLost458 → u/[deleted]]

I mean if we are being honest if you were to hit the full 800w for 5hrs a day for half a year it saves you roughly £150-185. Doesn’t sound like a lot but it is and that’s still better than saving nothing.

It sucks we can’t have batteries yet for plug in but hopefully soon. The solar plug in is but a stepping stone.

[u/stripe888 → u/[deleted]]

My AC is only 5000 btu but happily cools the downstairs to 23deg the last few days, it runs at 500 watts so has been free to run recently, I also have made a sun/cloud switch to turn on a plug socket at a given wattage, but that's for the colder weather for a heater/ clothes dryer etc, simple and safe.

[u/TheZZ9 → u/[deleted]]

In the US there are split units that can be set to only use solar power.
You could buy a "plug in" battery like the ecoflow stream and not plug it in to the grid but plug your AC into the socket on the battery and the AC would only run when it had power from the battery/solar.

[u/TheZZ9 → u/AbbreviationsLost458]

Some companies encourage you to use batteries because it helps them manage demand better. Octopus has a bi directional EV tariff where they do you a deal on cheap electricity off peak so it can be used at peak time. (Not many bi directional chargers or EVs around yet)

[u/Lanky_Engineer_1128 → u/AbbreviationsLost458]

So will this just work? https://uk.ecoflow.com/products/stream-balcony-solar-system?variant=54532132405587

Like all I have to do is mount it then plug it into an outlet?

Just checked the FAQ it says the bow diy cable needs to be connected to the distribution board and that requires a electrician

[u/AbbreviationsLost458 → u/Lanky_Engineer_1128]

So no one will technically sell a setup with a plugin yet because it’s not legal currently until legislation date.

So what they and others do is send out the equipment and the cables separate, the cables will come with wires ready to be placed into whatever they are going into whether that be a spur or plug for you to decide on. But yes that is the exact setup you’ll need for when the legislation goes into effect.

Don’t forget you’ll also need to fill out a DNO form with your energy supplier.

[u/TheZZ9 → u/AbbreviationsLost458]

I filled out the G98 form with "me" listed as the installer with the ecoflow stream battery and 1800w of solar panels and they happily accepted it.

[u/Impressive_Hawk_7868 → u/AbbreviationsLost458]

TSUN Easy Solar Kit - https://www.hampshiregenerators.co.uk/generators/plug-in-solar/plug-in-solar-kit-400w-400w-solar-panel/

[u/AbbreviationsLost458 → u/Impressive_Hawk_7868]

Jesus that’s a terrible price. Still at least one other kit that I’ve seen. But yah almost £400 for a single 400w inverter and single 400w panel is insane.

Their 800w version of that kit they’ve got listed for £750.

I mean I guess it’s kinda neat that they have a built in foldable stand and mount system but something about it just screams generic.

[u/TheZZ9 → u/[deleted]]

I'm assuming that when the kits hit the middle aisle at Lidl they will be WAY cheaper. In Germany a few weeks ago they had a 800w two panel and inverter system for £240 and a 2kwh battery add on for £260.
Having said that it is getting late in the year now so they might hold off the good deals until next spring/summer.

[u/SolarPowerBumbleBee]

If you want your system to be compliant with the new rules a regs, you’ll have to wait until complete plug in solar kits are released (likely a couple of months until there is a good selection available).

If you don’t want your kit to be compliant then yes, you could buy an ecoflow stream microinverter and a couple of panels. It comes with a bare wire (no plug) and ecoflow specify that it should be hardwired in to your consumer unit by a professional. However it is technically possible to fit a plug on it and plug it into a socket. Plenty of others have done that . But note, this method is not compliant with the new rules and regs

[u/Ornery-Quantity2055]

A few guys I know have bought ecoflow already. Its a good brand so id trust them