Can a plug and play kit be added to a solar installation with a non-hybrid inverter?

Can a plug and play kit be combined with a conventional photovoltaic system?

Do you already have a solar installation with a conventional (non-hybrid) inverter and would like to increase your green electricity production? The plug and play solar kit solution could well be the ideal answer to your needs. Simple to install, economical and flexible, this option is winning over more and more photovoltaic system owners.

But the question is a legitimate one: is it technically possible to add a plug and play kit to an existing installation equipped with a non-hybrid inverter? The answer is yes, under certain conditions, which we'll explore in this article. We'll take you step-by-step through how these two systems can coexist harmoniously, what the economic benefits are, and what precautions to take.

Understanding the differences between traditional installations and plug and play kits

Before considering adding a plug and play kit, it's essential to understand the specifics of each system.

Traditional photovoltaic systems with non-hybrid inverters

A conventional photovoltaic system generally consists of :

• Roof-mounted or ground-mountedsolar panels
• Acentral inverter (or "string") that converts direct current from the panels into alternating current.
• Connection to the electrical panel to power your home or feed electricity into the grid

The main function of a non-hybrid inverter is to convert the electricity generated by the panels for use in your home. Unlike a hybrid inverter, it is not designed to manage an energy storage system (batteries) or to intelligently optimize flows between production, consumption and the grid.

The plug and play solar kit: simplicity and accessibility

A plug-and-play kit is a ready-to-use photovoltaic system featuring :

• Simplified installation: often without the need for professional intervention
• Integrated microinverter: converts direct current directly into alternating current
• Direct connection: simply plugs into a standard electrical outlet
• Limited power: generally between 300W and 800W
• Flexible installation: can be placed on a balcony, terrace or in the garden

These kits, like the Plug & Play Solar Kit available on Wattuneed, represent an affordable solution for increasing your green energy production without complex work.

Technical compatibility: how the two systems work together

The good news is that your plug & play kit and your existing installation can coexist perfectly. Here's why and how:

The principle of parallel operation

The two systems operate as independent generation sources, both injecting electricity into your home grid:

1. Separate circuits: Your main installation with central inverter injects electricity via your electrical panel, while your plug and play kit injects it via a standard wall socket.
2. Synchronization with the grid: Both systems automatically synchronize with the frequency and voltage of the public grid.
3. No direct interaction: the inverters do not communicate with each other; they operate autonomously.

Limits and precautions to be aware of

There are a few points to bear in mind:

• Maximum power*: In France, the power of a plug-and-play kit is generally limited to 800W, in order to remain within the scope of individual self-consumption without any major formalities.
• Electrical protection: The socket you plug the kit into must be protected by a 30mA differential circuit breaker.
• Declaration: Even for a small kit, a declaration to the grid operator is often necessary (see regulatory section).

In Belgium, discussions are currently underway at federal and regional level with a view to setting a power limit to guarantee the safety of installations and users.

Advantages and disadvantages of adding a plug and play kit

Discover our range of plug and play solar kits

Economic analysis: a rapid return on investment

The addition of a plug and play kit represents a very reasonable investment compared with the extension of a traditional installation:

Case study: the Dupont family

Let's take the example of the Dupont family, who already own a 3kWp solar array:

• Annual consumption: 5,500 kWh
• Initial production: 3,200 kWh
• Self-consumption: 60% (1,920 kWh)
• Electricity still purchased from the grid: 3,580 kWh

After adding a 900W west-facing plug-and-play kit (complementary to their main south-facing installation), their situation changes:

• Additional production from kit: 900 kWh/year
• Total production: 3,800 kWh (+19%)
• New self-consumption: 70% (2,660 kWh)
• Electricity purchased from the grid: 2,840 kWh

With an average electricity price of €0.25/kWh, their annual savings are :

Annual savings = (2,660 - 1,920) \ 0.25 = 740 \ 0.25 = €185

For a €700 kit, their return on investment is :

700/185 = 3.8 years

This analysis does not take into account future increases in electricity prices, which will make the operation even more profitable over time.

"Adding a plug and play kit to our installation was a breeze. We simply plugged the kit in and saw an immediate improvement in our energy savings. It's one of the best decisions we've made."
- Mrs Jalet, Wattuneed customer

Technical and regulatory considerations

Regulatory aspects in France and Belgium

Adding a plug and play kit, even a small one, requires certain administrative procedures:

• In France :
  • Up to 800W: simplified procedure, but must be declared to Enedis
  • Over 800W: standard procedure with self-consumption agreement
  • Also check with your local town hall for town planning regulations.
• In Belgium :
  • Notification required to the local grid operator (ORES, RESA, Fluvius depending on your region)
  • Rules may vary by region (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels)
  • A smart meter may be required

Network compatibility and safety

To ensure safe and compliant installation:

• Make sure your plug and play kit is certified to European standards (EN 50549 or VDE 0126-1-1).
• Check that the electrical socket you are using is connected to a circuit protected by a 30mA residual current device.
• Do not exceed the maximum power allowed per circuit (generally 16A × 230V = 3680W)

All kits available from Wattuneed meet these safety and compliance requirements.

Practical guide: how to add a plug and play kit to your installation

Step 1: Assess your situation

Before you buy, analyze your existing installation and your needs:

• How powerful is your current installation?
• What are your consumption habits (hours, appliances)?
• Where could you install additional panels? Choose an orientation that complements your main installation.
• What's your budget?

Step 2: Choosing the right kit

Several criteria come into play when selecting the ideal kit:

• Power: between 400W and 900W, depending on your needs and constraints
• Type of microinverter: with or without WiFi for monitoring
• Mounting system: suitable for your balcony, terrace or garden

Step 3: Installation and connection

Installation of a plug and play kit is generally straightforward:

1. Mount the panels on their brackets according to the instructions provided
2. Position the kit in a sunny spot, ideally with a complementary orientation to your main installation
3. Connect the microinverter to the panels
4. Plug the system into a standard electrical outlet protected by a differential circuit breaker
5. If your kit is equipped with an application, set up production monitoring

Step 4: Optimization and monitoring

To maximize the benefits of your dual installation:

• Use the monitoring applications supplied with WiFi microinverters
• Analyze your consumption habits and adapt them to peak production periods
• Consider programming certain energy-hungry appliances to operate during sunny hours
• Regularly check the cleanliness of your panels to maintain optimum performance

Need personalized advice? Contact our experts!

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Will my existing inverter "see" the plug and play kit?

No, the two systems operate completely independently. Your main inverter won't detect the plug and play kit because they inject electricity at different points in your home network.

Is there any risk to my electrical installation?

No, if the kit is correctly sized and plugged into a compliant, protected socket. On the contrary, the kit reduces the load on your installation by supplying part of the energy consumed locally.

Can I add several plug and play kits?

Yes, technically you can add several kits, as long as you respect the maximum power authorized by your connection and distribute them over different circuits to avoid overloads.

What happens in the event of a power cut?

For safety reasons, the plug and play kit automatically shuts down in the event of a power cut. It restarts automatically when the network is restored.

Do I have to declare my plug and play kit?

Yes, any electricity-generating installation connected to the grid must be declared to your grid operator (Enedis in France, ORES/RESA/Fluvius in Belgium). Procedures are generally simplified for low-power installations.

Conclusion: a flexible solution for increasing your solar output