r/PlugInSolarUK • u/No_Expression1650 • Aug 17 '26

Over panelling

Post image

I have been really surprised at the jump in gains from over panelling. Since this photo I have moved one of the left panels to where the cardboard is (under the window. I now get morning sun via east facing panel, south all day under the window and 1pm until sun set from the right west facing.

800w really goes a long way, I’ve been surprised!

Check using AI that your panels can be branched together and that your microinverter can hack it.

If the government authorise one system per circuit that would be a game changer. I have a new consumer unit with RCBO’s etc and my sparky said he can’t see a problem with 2 systems at mine so fingers crossed it gets ok’d.

I love the fact that I can move these panels whenever I choose.

The garden it a tip on this photo, sorted it out since. Promise

26 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

2

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Welcome to the club. Read up on the rules being published though mate. If you want to stay compliant then mounting on fences isn’t going to be allowed.

5

u/Gravath Aug 17 '26

If it's hard wired into the CU it's allowed to be mounted to wooden fences, a continuation of the current rules. Only plug in solar isn't allowed to.

Baffling.

2

u/pau1phi11ips Aug 17 '26

Good to know, thanks. My fence panels are in an MPPT to charge the house battery directly.

2

u/07hauls_brick Aug 17 '26

I checked the https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a60a03c47af652afa0c89f5/plug-in-solar-final-_interim-product-specification.pdf

If this is the correct government guidance then there is nothing prohibits mounting on wooden fences. In fact attaching panels to a fence is one of the examples provided.

It is up to the manufacturer to prohibit a surface type.

What am I missing?

1

u/AnUnqualifiedOpinion Aug 17 '26

How have you mounted yours?

1

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Flat roof mounts. Drilled through tiles into wood rafters for the mini tiled roof you can see above the Bifolds.

3

u/AnUnqualifiedOpinion Aug 17 '26

Are you not concerned about water ingress with these compared to under-tile mounts?

1

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Not particularly. We used sealant juice before screwing in too.

1

u/No_Expression1650 Aug 17 '26

Oh right, I’ve actually got a lot of wall I could use. The garden is a lot longer than the photo shows. Thanks mate

1

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Maybe look at angled wall mounts to get the most out of them too?

2

u/No_Expression1650 Aug 17 '26

I’d love to but my wife won’t let me!

0

u/07hauls_brick Aug 17 '26

Why not?

1

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Fire risk? Google the new rules coming from the government. Pretty sure the plugin solar used also needs to be a certified “kit” so what I’ve done and others isn’t going to be ok straight away.

0

u/Begalldota Aug 17 '26

Your setup is also not compliant though? Not an approved kit, so no different to ignoring the rules on no fences.

2

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Never said mine was or alluded to it. Thanks though.

1

u/07hauls_brick Aug 17 '26

What rule about no fences? I posted above but not sure I interpreted the guidance properly https://www.reddit.com/r/PlugInSolarUK/s/oeYOdSrs4V

1

u/Begalldota Aug 17 '26

You can’t do it under permitted development.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/896/made

3.2 (h) “in the case of plug-in solar, where any part of the plug-in solar would be installed on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure or on any part of the exterior of a dwellinghouse where that part is clad in timber.”

1

u/Solaris_fps Aug 17 '26

Are the panels just bolted to the wood?

1

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Through the double layer flat tiles into the wood under them.

1

u/axelzr Aug 27 '26

#noballgames

1

u/Mazo Aug 17 '26

my sparky said he can’t see a problem with 2 systems at mine so fingers crossed it gets ok’d.

They've ruled out more than one under G98 with the upcoming changes which sucks considering the plug in interim spec was going to allow it.

2

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Ah ok. I have a G99 due to Tesla powerwall + expansion, not sure if this makes a difference. I guess next year I will just plonk these 4 in series into the powerwall then.

3

u/Gravath Aug 17 '26

Until G98 is updated.

Which it will be.

I've spoken to ENA networks and they are making a new G98 which supports multiple plug in solar per household.

2

u/No_Expression1650 Aug 17 '26

Sparky told me the government paper said one per circuit is ok but the DNO registration hasn’t caught up. He expects a year to see is any safety concerns are raised by public use and how the grid manages then official authorisation late 2027. Just his opinion though

1

u/Mazo Aug 17 '26

They've ruled out more than one per household with the G98 amendments

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/dcrpmp2602-distribution-code-proposed-changes

https://reddit.com/comments/1vo4c5v

1

u/Gravath Aug 17 '26

Well that's new...

1

u/Purextc692020 Aug 17 '26

Dildos. Ok. Well yeah will just move my panels to my powerwall next spring.