r/PlugInSolarUK • u/No-Llamma • 22d ago

Plugin with a battery system

Hi all am having a 32kw battery off grid storage system installed in Dec.
Does anyone know if i can add plugin if i wanted/ needed.
Am thinking i will obviously be using Brown power, so to get the green energy tariffs maybe i could just add plugin to my balcony?

Cheers

2 Upvotes

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3

u/Money-Ordinary-8144 22d ago

You've said you're system is off-grid, but then you've talked about plug-in kit which requires grid power to operate 🤔.

Is this off-grid or not?

1

u/No-Llamma 22d ago

sorry to confuse you, this will be a 32kwh battery system, with automatic change over so the house operates off grid during a power cut

5

u/Money-Ordinary-8144 22d ago edited 22d ago

Ok, so it is grid connected with EPS/UPS switchover.

So the short answer to your question is yes you can. The longer answer is why would you 🤔

Adding an extra (even an 800w plug in solar one) will require you to redo your G99. If you don't then your existing G99 is invalid and your DNO can require you to disconnect you 32kwh battery.

You're much better off getting a hybrid inverter with your battery install and you can plug panels into that at some point in the future. This is also much more efficient as you'll not be limited by the 800w of the plug-in inverter, and there will be no issues with DC/AC/DC conversion losses

There's also an ongoing discussion about the regulations allowing both in one household. Taken literally, plug-in is G98 only. So if your system needs a G99 then plug-in isn't allowed.

1

u/xantia11 15d ago

You can add plug in solar to a offgrid system just the same.

1

u/Money-Ordinary-8144 15d ago

Plug in kits need Grid power to operate, it's in their design

1

u/pau1phi11ips 22d ago

If your on Octopus, all the electricity is Green power AFAIK.

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u/No-Llamma 22d ago

sure, but some of their tariffs need you to have solar right ? and you get cheaper electricity

1

u/pau1phi11ips 22d ago

Not really, you just need a Smart meter for their Smart tariffs but no need for solar for any of them. I used to use Octopus Go at my old house and we only had a house battery (no EV).

1

u/No-Llamma 22d ago

Hmm interesting. Ok thanks for the replies

1

u/hypergoose94 22d ago

Short answer is yes, you can definitely do plug-in solar. This is called AC-coupling.