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DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:05 pm
by AGT
Are the diy installers bothering to advise the DNO?
Would they ever find out?
I’m an ex qualified spark/ certs still up to date but no MCS accreditation, just wondering what everyone else is doing
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:31 pm
by Kommando
Well the linesman have visited me twice over the last few years for line repairs and a new transformer. Once was before my DNO G98 notification and second after, both times the panels and inverter were not part of the conversation and seemed not to be of interest. On the first visit if it had been mentioned I would have said it was only commissioned a few days ago and rapidly made the notification as you have 30 days after commissioning. Google Maps satellite image updates every 4 or 5 years which is the other way they could know but who is to say it was not off grid.
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:37 pm
by AGT
Yes, and now the installs that are battery based with hybrid inverter with no panels.
I’ve had my FIT meter ‘inspected’ but nothing else.
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:38 pm
by Andy
AGT wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:05 pm
Are the diy installers bothering to advise the DNO?
Would they ever find out?
I’m an ex qualified spark/ certs still up to date but no MCS accreditation, just wondering what everyone else is doing
Installations don’t need to be mcs. I ended up notifying my heatpump and car charger as they had no records. I reckon they probably prefer to know for network planning purposes.
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:48 pm
by AGT
I did my own EV charger, I did the C&G EV installation course, just didn’t bother with the DNO, as far as I’m concerned it’s a load no different than a 10kW electric shower and if the installation can take the lid crack on..
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 3:11 pm
by Stinsy
AGT wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:48 pm
I did my own EV charger, I did the C&G EV installation course, just didn’t bother with the DNO, as far as I’m concerned it’s a load no different than a 10kW electric shower and if the installation can take the lid crack on..
An electric shower might be used for 10mins 2-3 times a day. EV charging point will pull 7.4kW hour-after-hour. That's the difference.
If a few houses on the same phase turn their electric showers on at the same time the local transformer might start to warm up, but it'll soo cool down when they turn off again. Whereas if a few houses on the same phase turn their EV charging points on at the same time, the transformer just keeps getting hotter and hotter until it cooks itself.
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 3:27 pm
by Mart
Stinsy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2023 3:11 pm
AGT wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:48 pm
I did my own EV charger, I did the C&G EV installation course, just didn’t bother with the DNO, as far as I’m concerned it’s a load no different than a 10kW electric shower and if the installation can take the lid crack on..
An electric shower might be used for 10mins 2-3 times a day. EV charging point will pull 7.4kW hour-after-hour. That's the difference.
If a few houses on the same phase turn their electric showers on at the same time the local transformer might start to warm up, but it'll soo cool down when they turn off again. Whereas if a few houses on the same phase turn their EV charging points on at the same time, the transformer just keeps getting hotter and hotter until it cooks itself.
Is that partly why the law was changed/made so that all home chargers now have to be 'smart'?
Ours finally works fine, but for over a year we've had loads of problems with it dropping out. Turns out our wifi just wasn't strong enough, and no connection, meant no use. In the end we used TP Links to connect it 'directly' to the router.
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 4:47 pm
by AGT
My storage heaters are on for longer than the EV!
But I get what you are saying!
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 5:33 pm
by spread-tee
I notified Shedhenge when it went live in Feb/March via g98 to UKPN as a diy system no problem . Also we have applied on behalf of a customer for a 5kW ish system, no news yet but so far they seem happy with the info we have supplied, we are not MCS but a registered sparks will do all the AC connections and self certify. For DIYers, as PV is notifiable, compliance with building regs could be more problematic than the DNO maybe?.
Desp
Re: DNO Approval
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 6:09 pm
by nowty
Many DIY'ers on here have self notified the DNO, its very straight forward for a simple G98 or a G99 fast track notification. And you definitely need to do it if you want to be paid for export.