help regulate the grid. How? By coming off-line eagerly (but randomly) when voltage or frequency rise by modest amounts for which normal generators stay on-line. Then come back on-line after random delays. It's not quite rocket science!)
Much of the G83 specification is about safety. It is there to protect the owner, the grid, and anyone working on the grid. A pluggable device would need extra safety features. For example, quickly stopping generation when unplugged to avoid delivering a dangerous shock to the user.
I suggest that for safety G83-Lite plug-in nanogenerators should be capped at 100W. This should not limit product design much. It may though avoid issues with bad contacts, long wire runs and old supply meters. 100W may be about the best available output from one square metre of consumer-grade solar PV material in good sunshine. Thus what a typical rented-bedroom curtain lining may be able to contribute.
G83-Lite Rules
The G83-Lite rules might be that each device is limited to 100W peak as above. It would also make sense to limit the number of such devices used in one home. I'd suggest allowing no more than about ten behind one single-phase meter. More could be allowed with permission from the DNO. But at that point maybe a bigger non-lite system would be affordable anyway.
Retail suppliers may have to allow G83-Lite devices on all their tariffs too, to make G83-Lite work. Maybe with "net metering", which is where the user gets paid retail prices for energy that they generate. It is often not the best policy, but it is simple.
(2017 note: more renewables are coming on-line and subsidies are shrinking. To avoid paperwork, it may be better not to pay the end user at all. Simply encourage them to make best use of what they generate to cut their bill. In any case, don't ding them for having nanogeneration in place.)
(2018 note: FiTs and export payments are due to go away entirely in GB/UK in early 2019. So there is even less reason to insist on expensive paperwork for solar systems if safety can be maintained. DIYed solar carports, for example, possibly signed off by a qualified sparkie, might be something to allow. In other words move under building regs or similar.)
Do you have with a south-facing room that needs the curtains drawn in summer? You could nip down to your high street and buy a solar shade to hang in your window and plug in. Voila! Instant renewables and cool. (In more ways than one.)
It's not clear if we can make such devices cheaply and simply enough to pay back financially and in terms of embodied energy. Anyhow, I think that it should be made legal to try! This would be more green 'decentralised' energy. Almost anyone could become a small producer, not just be a consumer.
Some existing devices may already more-or-less meet the technical and safety requirements. But they would need a G83-Lite regime to come in to be used this way in the UK.
This suggestion has been raised, amongst others, with:
DECC's Red-Tape Challenge (2011-12)
Ofgem (2012-02)
the Energy Secretary (2012-05: Sounds a great idea - will pursue!)
2023-09: Sunology PLAY
The Sunology PLAY appears to behave as envisaged above. The data sheet mentions G98, but it is not clear if the device actually meets GB grid connection rules.
I asked in on-line chat Is this suitable for connection to a GB grid home? and was told ... It is entirely possible to use and receive our products in the UK. ... To which I said My understanding is that G98 requires permanent wiring in by a Part P electrician and possible notification to the DNO afterwards, and I received no further response.
Any device with generation or export capability connecting to the network directly or through domestic wiring will need to be proven compliant with EREC G98 or EREC G99.
I saw a response on chat when I revisited the Sonology site days later:
Our microinverters are listed on the ENA registry and have passed the G98 requirements for type-testing.
As of 2023-10-01 the English/UK view of the site seems to have evaporated, and the UK is no longer valid for delivery. Still allowed are DE, BE, ES, FR.
2023-11: Germany and Switzerland Balcony Solar
While reviewing [chase2023solar] I came across this (Chapter 21):
Anecdotally, customers wanting to have a solar system installed were put on waiting lists of 8-12 months (and as of early 2023, this is still the case). 'Balcony solar' or 'plug-in solar,' consisting of just a few panels plugged into a standard household plug to cover instantaneous household power demand, can now be seen on houses and apartment blocks in Germany and Switzerland.