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Practical and DIY

Hands-on guides, real installation projects, and practical tips from lived DIY solar experience.

Practical and DIY

Can You Legally Install Solar Panels Yourself in the UK?

DIY solar is legal in the UK, but the connection to your consumer unit is notifiable electrical work: a registered electrician certifies it, or Building Control inspects it.
Going DIY costs you MCS, which means no SEG export payments from most suppliers (Octopus Outgoing aside) and 20% VAT on parts instead of 0%.
You can still do plenty yourself: the panels, the racking, the DC side and your own G98 or G99 notification. This is my read of the rules, not legal advice.

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Practical and DIY

Garden Solar Panels UK: Shed, Garage, and Plug-in Options (2026)

Plug-in solar is the simplest shed option — one or two panels, a microinverter, plug into a socket. £300-500, ROI in 2-4 years.
Full DIY gives more power — 4 panels + string inverter on a garage roof can cover your home base load.
With a battery, ROI drops to under 3 years — store daytime generation for evening use.
Part P applies: wiring a detached building still requires building regulations notification.

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Practical and DIY

How To Upgrade Your Solar from 3.6kW to 5.6kW

G98 covers up to 3.68kW. Beyond that, you need a G99 application to your DNO.
G99 is an application, not a notification — expect 30–60 days for approval depending on your DNO region.
You need a single-line diagram (SLD) showing your full system layout. Templates and examples included.
DIY systems can apply for G99 — you do not need an MCS installer for the application itself.

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Bar chart displaying electricity export data over time, with peaks indicating higher export volumes on certain dates.

Practical and DIY

How to Export DIY Solar Energy with Octopus (No MCS): UK Guide 2026

Yes, DIY solar export can be approved by Octopus in specific scenarios without MCS.
This guide shows the exact process, documents, and checks that matter most.
Done right, export income shortens payback and improves total system returns.

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Practical and DIY

How to Add More Solar Panels With Microinverters (2026 UK Guide)

Microinverters are a practical expansion route when your main inverter is already at capacity.
They solve mixed-orientation and partial-shading problems better than many simple add-on approaches.
Design for compliance and monitoring from day one to avoid retrofit headaches later.

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Practical and DIY

The DIY Solar Panels System I Would Build in 2026

This is the exact DIY system I would build in 2026 based on real install experience.
Component picks are updated for current UK pricing, availability, and performance.
Includes inverter, panel, battery, and accessories with practical trade-offs.

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Practical and DIY

Forecast Solar and Battery Charging. Easy Win at Winter

Automate battery charging using Solar Assistant, PV forecasts, and overnight tariff rates to maximise winter savings.
Simplest setup: charge from grid overnight on Octopus Go at 7.5p/kWh, discharge during peak hours.
Advanced: use Forecast.Solar API + Solar Assistant rules to decide whether to charge from grid or wait for solar.
Works with Sunsynk and Deye inverters via MQTT control through Solar Assistant.

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How to Extend a CT clamp for Sunsynk and Deye Inverters. Go beyond the 15m limit with this DIY hack!

Practical and DIY

The Little Known Sunsynk and Deye CT Clamp Extension Hack

Sunsynk CT clamp accuracy drops beyond 15 metres of cable — signal attenuates over distance.
Budget workaround: extend the cable and calibrate the offset in Solar Assistant config.
Proper fix: install a dedicated energy meter (e.g., Eastron SDM230) closer to the consumer unit.
Why it matters: inaccurate CT readings cause the inverter to export when it should not, or import when it has stored energy.

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Practical and DIY

Fix the Weird Solar Assistant CRC Error on Sunsynk and Deye

CRC errors on Solar Assistant usually mean the RS485 cable is too long, poorly terminated, or picking up interference.
Fix: shorten cable, add 120Ω termination resistor, use shielded twisted pair cable.
Affects Sunsynk and Deye inverters connected via Modbus RS485 to Solar Assistant.

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A person installing solar panels on the red-tiled roof of a brick garage, with two ladders propped against the side. The person is seated on the roof under a partly cloudy blue sky in a residential neighbourhood.

Practical and DIY

DIY Solar Installation: A Journey to Energy Independence

Accessibility
Cost-Effective
Sufficient Space
Solar Panels
Inverter

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Solar gazebo from the side on a sunny day

Practical and DIY

Solar Expansion With Added Value: DIY Solar Gazebo

A solar gazebo doubles as a garden structure and a generation asset — useful if roof space is limited or orientation is poor.
DIY build cost: timber frame + panels + microinverter from around £1,500.
Orientation flexibility: a freestanding structure can be positioned for optimal south-facing tilt.

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Practical and DIY

DNO Registration for DIY Solar UK: G98 and G99 Step-by-Step (2026)

G98 and G99 have different approval paths — getting this wrong causes avoidable delays.
This guide shows the homeowner process step by step with practical documentation tips.
Correct registration protects future export options and reduces compliance risk.

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4117W from a 3.6 inverter. How? Thumbnail.

Practical and DIY

Unlock Hidden Power: How Your Sunsynk 3.6 Inverter Can Process Double the Solar Energy

The Sunsynk 3.6kW can accept higher DC input than many owners realise, within limits.
Correct design and settings matter — otherwise potential yield is left on the table.
This guide explains practical configuration for better generation and export outcomes.

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Practical and DIY

Take Total Control of Your Sunsynk With Solar Assistant Rules

Solar Assistant + Sunsynk automation: Schedule charge and discharge current limits your inverter’s native app can’t handle.
Force solar export: Drop Max Charge Current to 2A during the day so surplus solar goes straight to the grid on Octopus Go.
Real UK export data: These rules helped double grid export from 1,766 kWh to 3,914 kWh year-on-year.
Crash-proof your setup: Never set amps to zero. Solar Assistant can crash and leave values stuck.
Home Assistant solar integration: Bridge Sunsynk data via MQTT for Octopus Agile pricing, solar forecasts, and EV diversion.

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