Is it possible to install a basic plug in solar system to a property that has an All in One/Gateway - simply plugging into a consumer unit circuit, so that during periods of low house load current will flow back into the Gateway? Can the gateway tolerate/handle bidirectional flows through it?
Ivan There's a recent YouTube video by Jonathan Tracey where he explains how he manages his plug in system to co exist with his main battery.
Ivan I'm planning to test this. Initially I'd tried to purchase the Ecoflow system but they lost the order and then their customer services were really bad following up. So I'll be purchasing the new Anker Solix system instead.
The easiest way to do it is to use the new system to simply cover the house base load e.g. 500w and then leave the existing system to modulate as usual. This way you don't need a new smart meter or CT and the systems won't chase eachother or "hunt". This methodology has been tested by a couple of guys on YouTube and they reckon it works well. I can't guarantee it of course but this seems the logical way to go.
I watched the video that Tenkaykev recommended and agree that the fixed output of plug in solar (battery) system to cover the baseload makes sense. I'm on Flux tariff so with so additional control by Home Assistant I should be able to export any charge left in the battery in summer months during the high rate window - after discharging/exporting the All in One.
I've managed to find some comments on the Givenergy group on Facebook where someone has tested a plug in system with the All in One and it appears to work - although obviously this ghost generation is not detected by the Givenergy meters. Apparently when the plug in generation exceeds the house consumption the load is shown as zero - and no negative flows recorded. What was commented on is whether the any current from the consumer into to the Gateway actually charges the battery (I assume it will) if not fully charged) or is exported to the grid.
I think I now know enough to purchase a system sometime in the near future. Also interested in the Anker Solix but also looking at the Ecoflow Stream 5000 kit. Might even hang on and see what the Octopus batteries are going to be like.
Ivan I'm not proposing to add solar to mine, at least not for a good while, as I'm already pretty maxed out there. I'm just needing the additional 5kwh of storage to make up a little bit of heat pump shortfall on the coldest winter days. I do run Home Assistant so I'll also be keen to check the native Anker integration.
I liked the look of the Ecoflow but their customer services after they accidentally cancelled my order and then lost the second one was dire. Seems I'm not alone and so it'll be the Anker Solix for me.
I'm curious as to why anyone would buy into plug-in solar right now - especially people who have existing systems?
The RoI is appalling on the kits given the pricing I've seen. Best case is 8 years or so for an 800W kit, and that assumes export tariffs don't drop from 12p - which they will.
Worth noting that Octopus are willing to drop the £250 "I have no MCS cert fee" when it suits them. Plug-in kits get an export tariff when you get an export MPAN. No fee.
Also remember that installing any of these systems will require a G98 application to the DNO and if you're already registered for G98/99 then you do run the risk of refusal/reassessment based on your existing limits.
Vestas For me it's a test case really although the extra storage will be handy. Not too worried about the payback to be honest. If it works and I can assess the safety implications alongside my local electrical guy, then it may form the basis of what I might install at my kids' houses.
My interest in these plug systems also started off at looking at installs at both of my kid's houses. Both of them have EVs and are buying electricity overnight at 8p/kWh with the day rate being over 30p - so being able to power the house at a 22p+ saving for 5kWh/day gives a payback of just over 4 years (including likely electrician costs).
I'm not decided yet on solar only, solar plus battery or battery only. The solar only route appears to have the shortest payback but I'm leaning towards another solar plus battery system which I estimate a payback of 6-7 years which I consider a reasonable return. That's what I achieved on my 2011 solar system on the original FiT terms which everyone considers was an excellent deal.
Ivan same scenario here - EVs but holding off on IOG because of the day rate. So the battery plus a switch to IOG is a good move for them. Both the Anker and the Ecoflow can accommodate a decent number of panels so that could also follow up, indeed my son's house particularly is ideally suited to 6 on his garage. I reckon we could probably do a DIY job on that too. If 1.2 million Germans have managed it without any real issues, then it has to be doable? I've also got access to a very good sparky who can do anything tricky.
I'd hold off for at least a year to see what happens with batteries.