A renewable energy specialist warns that buying plug-in solar panels from the middle of Lidl will likely end in disaster.
Yesterday The Construction Index reported that the German supermarket group Lidl is among organisations working with the government to support the roll-out of ‘plug-and-play’ solar panels. Within the next few months we can expect to find low-cost solar panels in the middle aisles of Lidl that families can put on their balconies or outdoor space to start saving money on their energy bills, we said.
Some think it is a great idea, such as Ben Standing, a partner in planning and environment at law firm Browne Jacobson. “The policy to roll-out plug-in solar panels… is an innovative low-cost alternative to expensive retrofitting, while helping to reduce our country’s reliance on fossil fuels,” he said.
Some energy specialists think differently, including Stuart Patience, director and head of energy solutions at built environment consultancy Hollis.
Here is his warning:
“Buying plug-in solar panels from the supermarket sounds like a great idea in principle, but it’s not like picking up a pint of milk or a tin of beans. There will assuredly be energy-saving costs for thousands of people, but we should always be aware of the risks.
“Plug-in solar, in principle, could open solar PV to the masses, especially renters and flat owners who have been locked out of the market so far. But it presents a much bigger issue, as Stuart Patience, director and head of energy solutions at built environment consultancy Hollis, explains.
“There is a huge difference between making solar more available and making it safe. Right now, the push for plug-in solar feels more like a headline-grabbing story than a fully worked-through plan for safe installation and long-term use. The idea is attractive. The details and safety considerations are limited.
“The first critical question is who is fitting it? Solar PV is not a casual plug-and-play lifestyle product. It is an electrical product with serious safety and fire risks. If these systems are sold through mainstream retailers without clear requirements around competent installation, inspection and sign-off, the industry could be opening the door to widespread non-compliant electrical work.
“This is where the lack of electrical competency checks becomes a serious concern. If the government is encouraging householders to buy systems off the shelf and plug them in, they don’t have any verification of who has installed or inspected them, or whether their existing electrical system can cope with the additional load. These products only weaken competency controls and installation quality, which is a recipe for disaster.”
Read more: Construction Index
