Is it legal to DIY increase of solar batteries?

[TheLurker]

I'm moving to a new house soon (when the solicitors decide to do their jobs...) which has solar and batteries already installed. I'd like to increase the battery capacity. It's easy to do as it's a modular system and you can buy the additional battery modules easily enough.

The bit I can't work out is if I can legally DIY it or not, or if it needs an electrician. Anyone know?

[Chris Type R]

I don't know the answer, but having DIY'ed most of my setup I would. We will be in the house for years and it's reversible.

I think another consideration would be whether DIY'ing - however benign - would void your home insurance in the case of a fire.

[TheLurker]

Thanks, it's the insurance I'm worried about. If it's not legal I don't think it's worth the risk for the cost of getting an electrician in given the batteries are in the attic. But if it is, I'll crack on and do it myself.

[Chris Type R]

TheLurker said:

Thanks, it's the insurance I'm worried about. If it's not legal I don't think it's worth the risk for the cost of getting an electrician in given the batteries are in the attic. But if it is, I'll crack on and do it myself.

Placing batteries in the loft is now frowned upon (PAS 63100:2024) - I'm not sure how upgrades would be treated.

[gmaz]

With my system (GivEnergy) the original installer (or GivEnergy qualified supplier) would have to do it because you have to contact GivEnergy to update the inverter config with the additional storage. Only a certified installer can do that.

[Byker28i]

I added to mine. Took 10 mins and the supplier, another solar installer said it was fine to do. Documented in the solar thread, beginning of Jan

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Original supplier wanted £150 to fit, almost £1k for the battery. Other supplier was £462 for the battery.

New batteries come at 30% charged, so get your existing ones to the same point before adding. I set mine to charge from the mains to 30% in the app (No sun)

Oh and they recommend add them before the old ones are less than a year old.

Only other point is temperature, because batteries charge at different rates at different temps, so your new one may be colder, hence the new pack not charge quickly until they all warm through use. Charge vs temp at the coldest cell.

All my install is in the garage, you aren't allowed in the loft anymore

Edited by Byker28i on Saturday 7th February 16:05