August 26, 2026

expert reaction to DESNZ press release about plug-in solar panels

Scientists comment on a press release from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) about the use of plug-in solar panels.

Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) said:

“Plug-in solar PV has the potential to help more households benefit from clean, affordable energy, but we remain concerned by suggestions that these systems are suitable for all UK homes. Not every domestic electrical installation is currently suitable for plug-in solar, particularly where the condition of the wiring and the type of protective devices are unknown.

“One area of ongoing concern is the performance of some older Residual Current Devices (RCDs). Some of these important safety devices were not designed for power flowing back into a circuit, as can occur with plug-in solar generation, and there remain unanswered questions about how some may perform under fault conditions. We continue to recommend that households have their electrical installation assessed by a competent electrician before purchasing or connecting a plug-in solar PV system, especially in older properties.”

Declared interests

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