MG
The Classic Marque

Jeremy, yes, in a nutshell! I couldn't help of thinking what's actually going on in total. When I said that your solar was, in effect, sending current to the substation, that would only be true if your house was the only one drawing current. In reality, the neighbours houses will be drawing grid current meaning your solar's excess current would only need to get as far as the next neigbour. So ...

OK so thanks Bill - that makes sense.
So the solar needs to be pumping 'voltage' at a higher rate/pressure (than the grid) so the appliance picks up on that. Dark arts.

Thinking more about it, I'm about right. But for the solar to supply ALL switched on appliances it has to have the current capacity, otherwise the grid takes over. at least partly. So when the solar supplies ALL switched on appliances it has to have a higher voltage all the way back to your substation I.e. so the grid cannot send current to your house. As I said, your solar is "fighting" the grid...

Jeremy
I've often pondered this and I'm supposed to understand elektrickery stuff. So, in my opinion:

Technically, your solar generator is in parallel with the grid supply such that they're strapped together. theoretically at the same voltage. An appliance draws from the source with the lower internal resistance I.e. that which can more easily supply current. In theory, the grid wins...

Mee too. Some research needed but usually Aldi/Lidl middle aisle stuff is decent.
Some of the coverage says that when an appliance is switched on, it will draw current from the solar panels rather than the grid - how does that happen?🤔

Usually plenty of feedback about Lidl stuff online so worth doing some research about the specific item as they can change frequently. I don't shop there but a neighbour does and sometimes picks up items for me I think might be useful such as small socket sets and drive bit sets. One of the drive bit sets had a few of the wrong bits present, correctly colour coded for their place but the wrong bit...

From what I’ve read payback is about 3 ish years.

Currently not legal until the British regs and plugs etc are agreed - our system of ring mains is unique but vast quantities used in Europe so can’t be all bad.

I will certainly look into it further when suitable kit is offered.

Lidl/Aldi will be a good place to look as they have much experience in selling the stuff in Euro...

I wouldn't want a panel on the ground but maybe on a garage or shed roof if south to west facing. 500W isn't much and you would mostly only get a proportion of 500W, much lower on cloudy days. If you were out in the sticks with a possible higher risk of power outage then maybe (unless these plug in systems cut out when grid fails).

Yeah. **IF**.

Grey
Here about 5-6 years ago I went to replace the oil pump on a friend's MGA (1800)engine--- The pump gear on his had come loose on the shaft, it was one of those that had the gear pinned to the shaft-
So here's this brand new TRW pump sealed in a plastic bag with oil floating around in the bag, which sort of gives out a vibe that it's been lubed and tested---BUT
-So I poked the driv...