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Forum Safety of plugin solar?
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Related

Safety of plugin solar?

Workshopshed
Workshopshed 17 days ago

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
    obones 17 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…
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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave 17 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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  • michaelkellett
    michaelkellett 17 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
    beacon_dave 17 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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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave 17 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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