Plug-in solar panels, while offering the potential for clean and affordable energy, may not be suitable for all UK homes, according to Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Coles highlighted concerns regarding the condition of wiring and the type of protective devices in some domestic electrical installations. Older properties, in particular, may have systems not designed for power flowing back into a circuit, as occurs with plug-in solar generation.
A specific area of concern is the performance of some older Residual Current Devices (RCDs). These safety devices may not function as intended under fault conditions when power is fed back into the circuit. The IET recommends that households have their electrical installation assessed by a competent electrician before purchasing or connecting a plug-in solar PV system, especially in older homes.