Safety of plugin solar?

Just seen a YouTube short from JerryRigEverything for a 4 panel solar system with roof top microinvertors.

The "interesting" feature is that it connects into a regular socket i.e. the power is provided through a plug.Jerry states this is only approved in Utah at the moment and is limited on the size of the system you can install.

For me this raises a couple of questions, firstly how it doesn't electrocute the person handling the plug? But how it doesn't back power the grid when there is a power outage?

I have a solar system at home and it is hard wired with a number of protective devices and isolators between the solar and mains.

Anyone know anything about these plugin systems?

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obones 16 days ago +2

They are quite common in Europe and periodically tests for the presence of power coming into the wall socket to decide if it injects power into it. Basically, if it "sees" 220V on its power line then the…

obones 16 days ago

They are quite common in Europe and periodically tests for the presence of power coming into the wall socket to decide if it injects power into it.
Basically, if it "sees" 220V on its power line then the inverter will send its power, and it repeats that test at rapid frequency so as to stop immediately when "street power" goes out.

Note that it's the same with the solar panels I have here, that are fitted to the roof with their micro inverters connected to the main power panel. If there is no power coming from the utility provider, they don't generate anything either, so as to protect everyone in the street.
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Workshopshed 16 days ago in reply to obones

My solar and battery will go off if I lose mains. There was a disconnect option but that was a other £500 and we don't get a lot of power cuts around here.
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beacon_dave 16 days ago

It looks like plug-in solar is on the UK solar roadmap:

Solar roadmap: United Kingdom powered by solar

"...Plug-in solar can provide opportunities for households to adopt solar more cheaply, particularly for those in rented accommodation or flats. Currently, UK regulations do not allow plug-in solar to be used in the UK, but the government is working to explore its potential.

Action 2: Government will conduct a safety study this year with the aim of unlocking opportunities for plug-in solar over the next few years..."
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ralphjy 16 days ago in reply to Workshopshed

I have an older system with an SMA string inverter that has a disconnect that allows me to use the panels when the grid is down. Unfortunately, it is limited to 1.5 KW.
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michaelkellett 16 days ago in reply to beacon_dave

Doesn't look as if they are in much of a hurry.

Although solar panels in flats in most of the UK are not going to be a lot of use.

MK
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beacon_dave 16 days ago in reply to michaelkellett

I think it was partly driven by another energy report that suggested something like 75% of around 380,000 homes in England were flats that had integral balconies, probably taken from here:

English Housing Survey: Floor Space in English Homes - technical report

and that plug-in solar appears to be marketed at such properties.

I suspect that it was more of a paper exercise.
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