Enforcement of export restriction

[mk1_man]

Hi, I am just about to move forward with a 28 x 450w panel solar array hooked up to either 2 x  Sunsynk 5.5 kW inverters in parallel or a single Sunsynk 8.8 kW inverter. We live in an area with lots of houses and not that many with existing solar so hoping a G99 will be approved with no export limitation. If however there is a limitation how is it enforced / policed?  i.e. if you were subsequently to export above and beyond on sunny days who is able to tell?  I am looking for SEG payments via MCS sign off.   Thanks

 

[Dillsue]

If your neighbours install solar in the future and everyone's systems start tripping on sunny days, who do you think is going to get shutdown when the DNO investigates? It's everyone's grid so why not stick to the rules and keep it working for everyone's benefit- you'd likely be a bit miffed if a neighbours unauthorised system kept causing yours to trip.

 

In terms of enforcement, look up the National Terms of Connection which you signed up to with your electricity supplier.

[SteamyTea]

2 hours ago, mk1_man said:

G99 will be approved with no export limitation

You may get away with it, but at 12.6 kW_p under STC, it is able to generate more on occasions.

In the past the DNOs did some basic calculation to look at voltage rise and falls, I suspect now they use more sophisticated modelling as they have a lot more data to play with.

They also have to make some assumptions as to how much PV will be installed over time, so may well limit your export capabilities.

The bright side is that say they limit you to 8 kW_p, because your system is 12.6 kW_p, you will be able to export 8 kW_p for longer.  As you get paid for kWh, not kW, you probably don't loose out too much, if any.

If you try and use most of your PV generation i.e. charging cars, batteries and water heating, you will export less, so will get less payment.

That then raises the question as to why pay for an MCS installation.

[MikeSharp01]

Make the application and be realistic about expectations. We got what we asked for on a single phase, 6kW. Pretty sure we would not have got 12kW but optimistically we might. The only risk is that they worry about future applications so squeeze yours at this stage to protect the medium term.