well send them the information here, I was losing business because I was originally told to check any install first (rural) because the problems with the line and current could mean the client would have to pay for an upgrade. I was forever back and forth, eventually that was the decision, after some argument on my part via and help the greenbuilding forum..
The agreement was given after the following conversation.
Question:
Can someone tell me, in simple terms, why putting say 20amps into the grid might cause more problems than taking 80 amps out of it? Afterall, it is alternating current so the current goes forwards and backwards in both cases.
Most of us have either an 80 or 100amp main fuse, These generally need either a prolonged current or a significant overload to blow them.
DNO's position:
Voltage fluctuations are a big deal for the DNO but also the end user. In periods of low demand the voltage rises, with an SSEG providing additional output the voltage can exceed the 253v this means the DNO breaks statutory limitations. Also the inverter senses an over voltage and drops out, the user then isn't generating and isn't earning FIT. Ergo two unhappy souls.
All installations are at the discretion of the DNO. It therefore follows it is the installers fault if an installation over 3.6kW is installed and the DNO says NO it can't be approved or you the client are asked to pay to upgrade the DNO's supply to accommodate your PV array(SSEG). Until that is done the array cannot earn FIT and is not approved.
However up to 3.6kW no one is at fault if the installation isn't approved by the DNO, if they refuse it on the grounds their supply can't accept it, because under the current arrangement the installer only needs to notify one day prior to connection and within 30 days. Therefore it is advisable that the DNO is notified prior to agreeing any array size because it may not be possible without additional expense.
I work in a rural and urban area, and rural are particularly prone to sizing restraints and often perfectly good roofs for 3.6kW are refused when I approach the DNO and limited to 1.5kW or 2.5kW for example, unless the DNO supply side is Upgraded.
Hence I was losing jobs because anyone not aware of this was quoting based on the the up to 4kW rule. And it wasn't the current issue it was the Overvoltage problems they actually face.
Argument was presented based on the following:
The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 state:
Quote
(2) Sub-paragraphs (b) and (d) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person who installs or operates a source of energy which may be connected in parallel with a distributor’s network provided that sub-paragraphs (a) and (c) of paragraph (1) are complied with; and
(a) the source of energy does not produce an electrical output exceeding 16 amperes per phase at low voltage;
(b) the source of energy is configured to disconnect itself electrically from the parallel connection when the distributor’s equipment disconnects the supply of electricity to the person’s installation; and
(c) the person installing the source of energy ensures that the distributor is advised of the intention to use the source of energy in parallel with the network before, or at the time of, commissioning the source.
and the appropriate Explanatory Notes state:
Duty holders should note that equipment installers need only notify the local distributor, i.e. they do not need to ask permission to connect the equipment and regulation 22(2)(c) does not give distributors opportunity to refuse such equipment being connected.
This revocation of the need to notify is the whole reason why G83 exists and why 16A per phase has been selected as an acceptable threshold.
I know there is increasing concern amongst DNOs about the resilience of the network to installation of micro-generation.
I agree that there may be an issue with any <16A per phase installation - but if there is then it is up to the DNO to sort it out at their own expense, not anyone elses as the costs of handling this is covered in the DUOS element of everyone's electricity bills.
And if that happens then the DNO have been given the responsibility of fixing it and at their own expense - unless they can off-load the cost to some unlucky G59 "customer". The costs of doing this are already built in to every consumer's electricity bill. There is no way that any G83 system owner should be required to pay for any network upgrades even if the upgrade is required because of a multiple number of G83 systems in a small area.
But I can understand why DNOs, in these straightened financial times, are trying to wriggle around it.
The reasons DNOs will get upset are due to voltage level fluctuations, voltage unbalances across 3 phases and harmonics. None of these are really issues with individual SSEGs but will be due to aggregations from multiple SSEGs all in one area.
DNOs are empowered to disconnect people from the grid if they believe that the consumer has an unsafe installation or if they are responsible for causing interference to neighbours. But in the context of multiple SSEGs they would have to prove that the problem was attributable to specific individuals - whereas the issue would be that everyone with a SSEG was a small part of the larger problem and that a 'last in, first thrown out' approach would be very unlikely to stand up in court under appeal
Could you provide any enlightenment on the above, and cite where the DNO has the rights over and above the G83 notification process to charge the user for modifications to the network.
Following that:
I had the response I posted earlier and I think it is a very enlightened view.
